A180 steaming up?

[tim89]

Apologies if this is in the wrong section. I have had my A180 for about 6 months (65 plate). I have noticed that the windows steam up pretty much every time I get in the car. This happens regardless of weather conditions outside. It seems I need to have air conditioning on if I want to see out of the windows properly.

What could be causing this? I don't have any damp clothes and I don't think there is anything damp in the car. I know it's not a huge issue but I don't want to constantly use AC!

 

[whitenemesis]

Best advice is to keep the a/c on permanently, it dehumidifies the incoming air and keeps the system seals lubricated.
Have you checked the cabin pollen filter, could be damp. Also check for blockages in the windscreen scuttle drains. Check underneath the footwell carpet for damp.

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Also check the air entering the cabin is from outside the vehicle.....ie not recycling the air inside. There should be a switch to enable/disable this function.

 

[DSM10000]

Apologies if this is in the wrong section. I have had my A180 for about 6 months (65 plate). I have noticed that the windows steam up pretty much every time I get in the car. This happens regardless of weather conditions outside. It seems I need to have air conditioning on if I want to see out of the windows properly.

What could be causing this? I don't have any damp clothes and I don't think there is anything damp in the car. I know it's not a huge issue but I don't want to constantly use AC!

Why would you not wish to use the A/C all of the time? As stated it is not only for cooling but to dehumidfy, plus constant use will keep the A/C system in good working order.

 

[tim89]

Thanks for all the responses guys! The pollen filter should be good, the car had a major service a month ago. I will check the footwells though.

I was always under the impression that having AC on wastes fuel and that the AC would need topping up more frequently if constantly used? Please tell me if this is not correct though!

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks for all the responses guys! The pollen filter should be good, the car had a major service a month ago. I will check the footwells though.

I was always under the impression that having AC on wastes fuel and that the AC would need topping up more frequently if constantly used? Please tell me if this is not correct though!

Using any electrical or mechanical device on a car uses fuel, your alternator, water pump, power steering pump etc all impose a load on the engine that requires energy (i.e. fuel) to operate with that load

As A/C is performing a useful function it is not "wasting" fuel, it is also a sealed system so using it will not cause a need for more frequent topping up,, as said just the opposite is the case, the A/C system contains specialist lubricants as well as the refrigerant gas, if you use the system infrequently then the lubricants will not be able to keep the seals supple and then you may experience leaks and even seizure of some components leading to potential high repair costs.

Modern climate control systems switch the A/C on and off automatically via electromagnetic clutches so it is unlikely that the compressor (the main"load" in A/C) is driven all of the time.

 

[Codger49]

Not correct.

Yes, having a/c on will take a little power and thus use a little more fuel, but the fluid in the system also contains a modicum of lubricating oil as well as refrigererant. Without circulation, the many various seals in the system and its components dry out and will then leak, as stated above.

From personal experience, its far more economic to run it continously than diagnose and replace a/c components.

 

[whitenemesis]

Thanks for all the responses guys! The pollen filter should be good, the car had a major service a month ago.

That's no guarantee the filter was changed or even inspected...

 

[Stratman]

In addition to the good advice above, check the load area carpets for any signs of damp. Tailgate and light cluster seals are not immune from leaking.

 

[gIzzE]

Never turn off the climate, it is a dehumidifier as well.

As said above, turning it off will dry out seals and will cost far more than the extra 0.5mpg you might gain by turning it off.

 

[Benzowner]

Usually steams up when warm air is trapped in the ducts, either from thermal gain or a short run in the car. Warm air hits cold screen instant mist up.

 

[Thrash]

I believe there are quite a few reports of A Classes suffering from water/damp in the footwells so it's definitely worth checking.
I used to keep my A/C off too until my A Class started to smell when the fans were on at certain temperatures, this was when the car was one year old!