Windshield Fogging... Normal?

[Jerome10]

This is my first pickup, first Ford, etc. Its been rainy here a few days, and nights are dropping to right about 30 degrees Fahrenheit or so.

Seems like my truck windshield has been getting rather foggy or condensation on the inside. Side windows and back window are too, but not nearly as thick a coating as the windshield does.

If I had to guess, I'd say this car is fogging up windshields a bit more frequently/easily than my other cars but those were sedans so I don't know if the huge cab means more moisture available or what. To be fair I drove my old Corolla the other day and the windshield fogged up too. Not as bad as the Ford but definitely did it and that car for the most part I don't often have to run the defroster on it. This also makes me think its just rain and the around freezing temps that are the cause more than any potential problem on the truck.

I plan to check the carpets and headliner (I don't have a moonroof).

I suppose for now I'm just curious if the F150 is prone to fogging up inside more than other vehicles you've had?

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[MallCrawler]

I plan to check the carpets and headliner (I don't have a moonroof).

Check them for what?

Your post is confusing the shit out of me.

But to answer your question, warm humid air meeting cold glass seems to create condensation in my truck about the same as any other car I've had.

 

[Jerome10]

Sorry check them for water / moisture. Basically checking for leaks.

 

[MetalCord]

I've also not noticed more condensation than usual after temperature swings. Having lived all over the country, that phenomenon seems to be more frequent in humid areas. As your location is listed as USA, I can only speculate that you probably live someplace with humidity. I live in the desert right now. Even when I'm not parked in a garage, I don't see much of anything on my windows unless it's frost.

 

[12Lariat21]

I have had rare instances where my HVAC has not done a good job at defogging the windshield. Basically Ford's module operation process is absolute $hit. Seems to me, if when you start the truck up, if every module doesn't fire up in the correct order, at exactly the right time, something is not going to work right. In this instance your HVAC module got messed up and was not diverting air correctly (assuming that you did turn on the defrost). Likely after the next power cycle everything will work fine.

I had a 200 mile trip where our first 100 miles the windows were foggy as heck on the inside, no matter what setting I chose I couldn't get it to clear up. Then after a fuel/break stop, where the truck was turned off and back on, our last 100 miles everything was working great and the windows stayed clear as...glass. And in my case it had something to do with the total system needing a reboot, as our first part of the drive I did try to power cycle just the HVAC, but that did nothing.

Also, I will add that it seems the system is way underpowered, when my fan is set to max, it is where it should be at about 50-75%, just needs a bit more airflow to be really good.

 

[HammaMan]

Start by cleaning the windshield well. The plastics in vehicles off-gas (newer vehicles are more susceptible to it, but it degrades over time - this is the white haze you'll see on the horn/airbag). Getting that off of the windshield is a good first step. Dirtier windshields are more prone to fogging up. In some cases it can make a big difference. If it's a visibility issue, be cognizant of the max defrost button. It's convenient in the F150 whereas on some vehicles like the mach-e it's next to the headlight switch. The logic behind it is handy in that you press it, it does its thing, you press it again and settings revert to precisely where they were before pushing it.

My mach-e's windshield is more prone to fogging than the F150s. Both of them are tinted and it has no effect. I'm also in the SE where we have a lot of moisture. I believe a contributing factor is that when the vehicle is turned off, all of the climate's vent modes are opened, as is the outside air vent. As temps cool down and cabin air cools and begins to shrink, it's pulling in air from outside and any moisture in the HVAC will evap on to the windshield from the vents.

 

[sbi]

Is your HVAC on AUTO? If it's on AUTO, it should kick the a/c compressor to avoid fogging.

 

[Henfield]

The moisture in your breath sticks around inside and can freeze on the windows. Wet clothing and gear left inside the truck make it worse.

 

[Micho523]

I know what you’re talking about. You’ve got heavy fog/condensation on the INSIDE after the truck has sat, and the cabin is also exceptionally humid. I’ve also had this happen a few times and have shrugged it off to crappy hvac programming.

 

[B17drvr]

Be sure the air conditioning compressor is on to remove the moisture.

 

[PB2021]

You mentioned checking for leaks which is always prudent. Floor mats that are wet or snow filled will also add a lot of moisture as the vehicle sits. I’ve not noticed any difference between the truck and other vehicles we have had in terms of fogging. Using a good glass cleaner regularly is also strongly recommended. As others have said the off gassing of dash and other plastics forms a layer of haze on the glass that just makes fogging worse or more likely.

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

Even if on Auto you will have to click the AC button so the compressor will turn on ... I live in the SW and have not experienced inside fog except when in the mountains and cold snow (skiing). The AC above a certain temp (35 I think) will kick in and take care of the inside moisture.

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