Fogging windows nightmare

New 4 Runner SR5.

Drove it at night for the first time when the humidity was near 100% with intermittent drizzle.

I literally couldn't adjust the system to clear the windows so I could see where I was going.

The problem was on the outside. It would fog up in between each wiper stroke. That bad.

I turned on the A/C - no difference. Mixed A/C with heat - no difference. Tried rolling down windows - same. I don't know how I got home without getting in an accident. I live in an area with few if any street lights

I never had a vehicle that did that where I couldn't do something to compensate for it, but the wiper would wipe one way (fog), the other way (fog), etc.

Has anyone had this issue? Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I can apply to the outside of the windshield and side windows?

Thanks for the help,

John

 

Were you using the Defrost setting?

 

This button is the only thing I press when the windows start fogging.

 

Yes

 

How new is your 4R? Like, just out of the dealer new? I would try to clean the glass. There could be some sort of detailing goo that they used to church it up before the sale on the windshield. I would try new wiper blades if that didn't work.

 

I don't have that button. There is only an electric defogger for the rear. The front is on the knob (standard type).

John

 

Yes, 1500 miles. I did clean the windows with Windex though and it's been through a brushless carwash.

In terms of wiper blades I don't think that's the problem because the blades wipe it, but it fogs up before the blade comes back the other way.

Is there some other product I can use to prevent fogging that works?

John

 

On Limited / TRD Pro the button named "Front" as shown above , SR5/ TRD Offroad you just turn the knob all the way to right.

 

Exactly.

 

Fogging on the outside of your windshield will not be resolved by any of the interior windshield settings. The wipers are the only thing that will clear that. Maybe you need to turn the wiper speed up another notch or two. There is Rain-X that will make the condensation sheet off by itself at normal speeds.

 

Glass was too cold on the outside. Just like condensation on a cold can of Coke. Defroster was blowing too cold. Need to use a warmer setting for a longer period of time. Find the right balance. 100% humidity would make that a bit of a challenge.

 

There are wet wipes available that you use on spectacles so they don't fog up that can be used on windshields, to avoid fogging. I have used one from Crizal.

 

How about not driving and figuring out a solution? Geezus. Glad I don't live anywhere near.

 

Maybe I'll try the Rain X. The speed of the wipers made no difference. Even at the fastest speed the windshield fogged in between the strokes.
John

 

I ran into the problem on the way back from New Jersey to my home in New York. I haven't driven in it in that kind of weather since. Not until I find a solution.

John

 

This is the answer. You should have turned the heat up on the defroster to compensate.

 

Yes, just before I got home that was starting to work to some degree. Seems odd no one else has experienced this. Isn't there a separate system for the rest of the vehicle? Didn't mess with that yet.

Thanks guys,
John

 

I've had this happen. As you discovered, you need to give the heater a bit of time to warm up the windshield. It will also help with the driver and passenger side windows.

What separate system are you thinking of?

 

You also need to turn the cabin recirculation OFF.

 

That seems like an issue, maybe, but not a nightmare.

 

Does the rear of the vehicle have a separate heater/A/C system. I suppose I could look in the manual. Haven't driven it much.

 

I guess I exaggerated a bit.

 

Yes, thanks did that.

John

 

Do not put air to your window. That’s the key. Cold ac will immediately create condensation on the window when the outside air is humid.

 

+1 to those who mentioned using the heat. It can be miserable when it's that hot and humid, but warming the windshield is the only thing that will work.

I don't have this issue frequently, but I remember dealing with it when I was in Texas in July of 2018. I would run the defrost at higher temperature, and then switch to the dash vents and run the AC. And back and forth as necessary.

 

Thanks guys,

Lots to try (locally) next time the weather is like that.

John

 

I've experienced this on every vehicle I've owned. As others have indicated, it's due to conditions - temp, humidity, something on the windshield (tree sap, wax overspray, etc.). Most often it's a cold windshield and near-100% humidity. In my cases, it always goes away as I drive.

 

I've had this happen before. I know what you're talking about

 

In the part of TX where I live this is a daily occurance. The fix is to run the defroster on high fan & heat for a few minutes to heat the windshield to the point that condensation does not occur. Usually takes about 5 minutes...

 

No. Everthing operates off the system up front. There is a vent in the rear of the center console that points toward the back seats and vents underneath the front seats, which blow air at the passenger's feet but those two are the only vents for passengers. There is some "control" for passengers in the console vent via moving the deflector and the volume wheel but that's it.

For rear defrost, there is only the electric defrost for the rear window.