Humidity in the car results in condensation problems on the windshield. In addition to the fog on the windows of the car, one can also end up with unpleasant musty odors, halos on the floor mats and sometimes even stains of mold on the seats in the most serious cases. Very often, we then tend to blame bad weather. However, many motorists neglect the anti-humidity reflexes that keep a vehicle dry. Our bad habits can then promote an accumulation of high humidity within the cabin. So, find out how to remove humidity in your car, whatever the brand or model (Renault Clio, Citroën C3, Peugeot 208, etc.).
If you wonder daily why your car smells damp, but also and above all how to avoid fogging inside, these few tips will bring you the solution. If you suffer from asthma, allergy or simply for reasons of safety and good visibility as well as to keep a vehicle in good condition, because humidity can cause damage, we advise you to quickly put these measures in place. .
1) Empty the windshield bay well
When drainage channels become clogged with dead leaves and other debris, they become less effective in evacuating rainwater. It is therefore essential to remove dirt from the windshield, bonnet, sunroof or rear of the car. This simple gesture within everyone’s reach can already make a difference.
2) Limit sources of moisture in the car
To keep it as dry as possible, avoid bringing wet items into the vehicle. When it rains or snows, for example, put your wet clothes in the trunk and pat your shoes well before getting into your car. If your floor mats have taken on moisture, you can put them out to dry, for example in the sun. And if you are lucky enough to have a garage, you can take the opportunity to leave the windows slightly ajar to allow ventilation. To go further, you can also create your own moisture absorber cheap with a knotted sock filled with silica cat litter, charcoal, rice or even salt. Then slide everything in strategic places.
3) Check the carpets
A wet carpet can lead to unpleasant odors due to the maceration between the frame and the carpets. Textiles in a car can also have difficulty drying once exposed to a damp element or to rising capillaries. Knowing how to identify a wet carpet will allow it to be dehumidified. To do this, you can apply newspaper on soaked areas to absorb the water present in the fibers of the carpet.
4) Remember to put the ventilation
The ventilation limits the accumulation of humidity in the passenger compartment. We can then optimize its operation by using hot air to ventilate and promote the evaporation of water. And if the breath of your breath causes fogging, open quickly to remove stagnant moisture. Also consider air conditioning. It doesn’t just cool the cabin. It indeed allows to dry the air and thus to fight the humidity as well as the appearance of fungi, but also to lubricate the seals of the car and to reduce the bad smells. So do not hesitate to use it all year round and make sure it works well.
Also think about put the air recirculation permanently on the outside position, and not on passenger compartment recycling. You can still use the heating, but this will avoid fogging problems all winter long!
5) Ventilate the car to reduce humidity
A house is aired daily, all year round. For the car, however, ventilation is also very important every day. If you cannot ventilate, use a humidity sensor to let it act all the time to guarantee better efficiency. This type of car dehumidifier comes in three ways: there are those with condensation, those with fan and honeycomb wheel or those with hygroscopic salt of calcium chloride with tank.
6) Change the cabin filter
This pollen filter tends to clog quickly. However, this part is important, because the dirt on the filter can prevent air from circulating freely, which leaves room for the hygrometry to increase. It should therefore be changed at least once a year to ensure its effectiveness. You can completely take advantage of the emptying of your vehicle to change the filter. In addition, this part is generally inexpensive and once changed, it’s better for your health!
7) Check door seals
Temperature variations as well as severe weather put the seals of the doors and the trunk to the test. The rubber will therefore lose tightness over time and then allow moisture to pass through. So remember to make sure they are in good condition and not too porous if you have moisture problems in your vehicle. You can also use a suitable product to preserve the flexibility and efficiency of your joints. And as long as you check if the seals are in good condition, also check if your roof is still well sealed. It can also play!
8) Keep a functional heating
If the car heater fails, we tend not to worry and think that we can deal with this problem later. The problem is that the humidity can precisely come from a leak in the heating circuit (with some abnormal odors along the way!). It is therefore important to maintain it well. To ensure that it works properly, you can turn on the windscreen heating and ventilation. If the latter fogs up, it may indicate that your heat exchanger is damaged. Also remember to look at the ground. If it is wet, pass a paper towel to absorb the liquid and check its color. If the water is colored, this also shows that the exchanger requires replacement. This part is not expensive, but a little hard to change on your own. So ask a professional for advice (Feu vert, Norauto, Speedy, etc.) for a successful replacement.
9) Identify the presence of rust to reduce the humidity of the car
In case of humidity in the cabin, ask yourself if there is no rust at the level of your bodywork. Corrosion can in fact allow moisture to pass through and is not always present on visible parts. And since it goes unnoticed, it has plenty of time to spread, get worse and let water seep through holes. A scrutiny of your car from all angles is required!
