When you start your car in the morning after temperatures dropped below freezing the night before, you may notice a coating of frost on the inside of the windshield. Generally, frost indicates the presence of indoor humidity. Understand why it forms and how to remove it.
Why Frost Forms Inside Your Car
Moisture inside a car can freeze against the windshield once the temperature drops below freezing. In these cases, the moisture starts to evaporate but condenses on the glass, where it freezes. Frost tends to occur when your car’s interior has an above average percentage of humidity.
Moisture can come from a number of sources, including:
- Sharply fluctuating temperatures: For instance, days approaching 50°F that cool to below 30°F.
- You recently had a passengers in your car, all of whom may have been exhaling warm air.
- You tracked snow in from the outside and it started to melt.
- Your car has a leak letting in air from the outside. Regularly seeing frost on the interior can indicate this issue.
- You left damp shoes and clothing in your car overnight.
- It rained the previous day and you left the window cracked, which let moisture into your vehicle.
- The last time you drove, you kept the heater at a higher setting and introduced more moisture into the air.
- Your vehicle is experiencing drainage and ventilation issues. The interior consistently feels damp, the windows routinely fog and the mats or upholstery feel moist or wet.
It’s important to understand that frost forming on the interior window is more than a morning incident. Based on the exterior temperature, frost may appear while you’re driving, coating the inside of the windshield and impacting your visibility.
How to Remove Frost From the Inside Windshield
To decrease the likelihood of frost on the inside of your windshield, you’ll need to address moisture and humidity inside your car. In the short term, consider temporarily cracking the windows on a day without snow or rain. Remove any wet floor mats and other belongings to fully dry before you return them to your car.
If you spot frozen moisture on the inside of the windshield:
- Warm your car up with the heater turned to a high setting. This causes any ice accumulation to melt and loosen. From here, you can wipe it off to clear your view. Switch to the A/C setting to get rid of any remaining humidity. Should you notice frost as you’re driving, turn on the air again to limit condensation and balance your car’s interior with the outside temperature.
- As another alternative, heat a dry cloth or hand warmer and run it over the inside glass.
- To control moisture, add silica gel packets to your car’s interior. These draw in moisture and help reduce interior humidity.
- If you have a garage, leave your car inside and keep the windows slightly cracked.
- Consider treating the interior windshield, so condensation doesn’t cling and freeze to the glass.
If moisture continues to accumulate inside your car, come to DaSilva’s Auto Body for an assessment. Recommendations may extend from interior detailing and fabric cleaning to glass repair. To schedule service, contact us today.
