Hot or cold: does it matter?
With winter only weeks away and those chilly mornings on the horizon, you’re bound to have a foggy windscreen or two as you begin your drive.
Have you ever debated with your partner, sibling, colleague or friend about whether you should use hot or cold air to demist the windows in your car?
It’s a heated debate that might leave your relationships a tad frosty, but it turns out you both might be right. RAA Car Advice Manager Andrew Clark explains why.
“When we get questions about how you should demist a windscreen, we always say the most efficient method is using the car’s air-conditioner,” says Andrew.
“People naturally presume we’re saying to use cold air, but hot also works just as effectively.”
So, why are all temperatures equal when it comes to defogging your windscreen on a cold morning?
“It’s the dehumidifying effect of the air-con that dries out the cabin and defogs your windows, not the temperature,” Andrew says.
“It’s important to make sure your air-conditioning is turned on. If it’s left off, warmer air will defog your windows a bit quicker, but not much.”
While both hot and cold might defog your windows, we think warm air is much nicer on a cold winter morning. What do you think?
Do you need car advice?
RAA members can call our free Car Advice service for answers to their car questions.
Or call 8202 4689