Condensation Issues

[MidnightBass_]

I have a 2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS, and I've noticed in the morning when I go to start my car that there is crazy amounts of condensation on my windows. I know it's winter and the weather is cold, so condensation is normal, but I leave my house for work before any neighbors do and none of them ever have this issue while my windows are completely opaque with condensation or frost - if its cold enough - on the INSIDE of the car.

I went to have it washed and waxed today as promised because it looked filthy and the windows had water marks everywhere, and to my dismay when I was cleaning the windows all the watermarks were from the inside. I've detailed a few cars back in my day and I've never had this issue before. My windows are always closed completely overnight. Ventilation issue or seal issue? something?

Thanks.

[5.4FX4]

Moisture is getting into your car somehow. On older cars, sometimes a leaking heater core can create this.

It might have something to do with the ventilation setting as on my Limited I've noticed The default setting seems to be for the outside air vent to remain open. So If switching the A/C to on, I have to press the button for recirculation which closes the outside vent. Kind of wierd but could see this being a problem in cold climates.

[MidnightBass_]

Originally Posted by 5.4FX4

Moisture is getting into your car somehow. On older cars, sometimes a leaking heater core can create this.

It might have something to do with the ventilation setting as on my Limited I've noticed The default setting seems to be for the outside air vent to remain open. So If switching the A/C to on, I have to press the button for recirculation which closes the outside vent. Kind of weird but could see this being a problem in cold climates.

I'll have to get it looked at. I shouldn't have to deal with this everyday, or have to press buttons and all that. They better fix it if somethings wrong. Causing me havoc at 6am before I've even sipped my coffee. Not cool lol. Thank you

[5.4FX4]

Originally Posted by MidnightBass_

I'll have to get it looked at. I shouldn't have to deal with this everyday, or have to press buttons and all that. They better fix it if somethings wrong. Causing me havoc at 6am before I've even sipped my coffee. Not cool lol. Thank you

Maybe some others in cold climates can chime in. I've never had this issue, it's my "educated guess".

[lovemysantafe]

Are you talking heavy dripping condensation or just moisture?

I garage my car at home but it stays outside at work so it's usually frosted up by the time I get up to the roof. I've noticed this car does fog up pretty readily (even with recirculate off) but other than that, I have no complaints.

[Perpetuous Dreamer]

You do not want to run in the recirculate mode with the defroster on in cool or cold weather. Having recirculate on through the defroster will fog up the window if the inside of the window is warmer than the outside. You want outside air to be heated for defrosting.

As for the condensation, somehow you are getting excess moisture in the car. This is from either driving with the recirculate on all of the time in cool/cold weather (you would notice the windshield fogging up if you are), or the climate control off (no air circulating at all), or a water leak somewhere in the car.

A good trick I have learned to avoid moisture build up and odors through the system is to when the car is left off for awhile (overnight or stored), leave the climate control in a vent position with the recirculate off. This allows a minute amount of airflow through the system and helps to keep it dried out and odor free.

[trustman]

@MidnightBass - I have the same problem like you. I live in Montreal. My car is the only one in the street whit this kind of problem. I need to keep the engine on for minutes to have my windows cleaned. I never use the recirculate air function so I have no explanation for that.

I want to talk with the dealer about it.

[Xion]

Originally Posted by trustman

@MidnightBass - I have the same problem like you. I live in Montreal. My car is the only one in the street whit this kind of problem. I need to keep the engine on for minutes to have my windows cleaned. I never use the recirculate air function so I have no explanation for that.

I want to talk with the dealer about it.

Originally Posted by MidnightBass_

I'll have to get it looked at. I shouldn't have to deal with this everyday, or have to press buttons and all that. They better fix it if somethings wrong. Causing me havoc at 6am before I've even sipped my coffee. Not cool lol. Thank you

I live in Victo and I had the same problem this week, windows completely frosted from the inside in the morning. It is because there is water in the car. I have pants saver floor mats because I hate when the water and salt go through the carpet, leave dirt and salt and make the floor to rust after a few years, so I noticed they were full of water, I emptied them and Voilà! problem solved. If you don't have pants saver floor mats maybe your carpet is wet and the water evaporates at night.

[Perpetuous Dreamer]

Originally Posted by Xion

I live in Victo and I had the same problem this week, windows completely frosted from the inside in the morning. It is because there is water in the car. I have pants saver floor mats because I hate when the water and salt go through the carpet, leave dirt and salt and make the floor to rust after a few years, so I noticed they were full of water, I emptied them and Voilà! problem solved. If you don't have pants saver floor mats maybe your carpet is wet and the water evaporates at night.

Good point on the floor mats! Last year we were waist deep in the snow and crap and we had to park outside as we were living elsewhere while building the house. I had to empty the mats in my winter beater Nissan so as to avoid standing water or ice issues in the AM. No issues with this this "winter."

[chrisvm31]

I have the WeatherTech floor liners, and they hold water in like a champ (good to protect the carpets, bad for condensation). Like Xion, I had this issue, and after removing the water from my floor liners, the problem was solved. It is possible that you have excess moisture that you should drain from your winter mats. If you don't have winter mats, you may need a shop-vac to get rid of excess water in the carpeting. Good luck!