Condensation on exterior front windscreen

chiggah

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2018
Threads
2
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Location
Asia
Vehicle(s)
Civic 1.5TC
Country flag
Does anyone get condensation on the outer windscreen ? Usually happens after rain but not every time. I read this is due to the humidity difference between inside and outside. Wipers is the only way to clear it up, but keeps coming back after a minute or so.

I took to Service Centre and they admitted was a fault in the part. Repaired the following:

- Replaced front servo motor

- Replaced heater sub assembly

As today's weather was raining and humid, I noticed this condensation again. Turned on the front/rear demister and it seems to make the condensation worse.

This only happens on the front windscreen mainly. Rear was OK, but rear side, there is some slight condensation. Images attached

However, weird thing is, I did not have this yesterday even if it rained.

Any idea what is going on here ?

Honda Civic 10th gen Condensation on exterior front windscreen IMG_9675


Honda Civic 10th gen Condensation on exterior front windscreen IMG_9680


Honda Civic 10th gen Condensation on exterior front windscreen IMG_9679


Honda Civic 10th gen Condensation on exterior front windscreen IMG_9678


Honda Civic 10th gen Condensation on exterior front windscreen IMG_9677
 

calonzo

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Threads
14
Messages
1,396
Reaction score
421
Location
New Haven, CT
Vehicle(s)
2016 Honda Civic Touring
Country flag
Is your car garaged, and if so, is your house air conditioned? If you are going from a cool, dry garage to a warm humid climate, this could happen.

I doubt any part on the car would cause condensation on the exterior, only on the interior if there was a leak in the heater core.
 
OP
OP

chiggah

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2018
Threads
2
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Location
Asia
Vehicle(s)
Civic 1.5TC
Country flag
Is your car garaged, and if so, is your house air conditioned? If you are going from a cool, dry garage to a warm humid climate, this could happen.

I doubt any part on the car would cause condensation on the exterior, only on the interior if there was a leak in the heater core.

Thanks for the reply !

No, this was after work, and was not garaged. Parked outdoors in the lobby

But if you think this should be normal, then I will let it be.

Just a safety hazard that I can't really see anything, and only having to use my wipers to clear.

My inside temps are around 20-22 degrees
 

calonzo

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Threads
14
Messages
1,396
Reaction score
421
Location
New Haven, CT
Vehicle(s)
2016 Honda Civic Touring
Country flag
Thanks for the reply !

No, this was after work, and was not garaged. Parked outdoors in the lobby

But if you think this should be normal, then I will let it be.

Just a safety hazard that I can't really see anything, and only having to use my wipers to clear.

My inside temps are around 20-22 degrees
It definitely is a safety hazard.

Do you mean you keep the AC in the car at 20-22? Is cold air blowing on the windshield? That could cause it, also. Normally, it should not blow on the windshield. Maybe that is what the dealer was trying to fix?
 
OP
OP

chiggah

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2018
Threads
2
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Location
Asia
Vehicle(s)
Civic 1.5TC
Country flag
It definitely is a safety hazard.

Do you mean you keep the AC in the car at 20-22? Is cold air blowing on the windshield? That could cause it, also. Normally, it should not blow on the windshield. Maybe that is what the dealer was trying to fix?
Yes, I keep the AC in car around 20-22.

I am not exactly familiar of the nitty gritty but yes that sounds about right, hence the servo arm replacement

One of the servo arm "flaps" was not opening/closing properly, so it was blowing cold air to the windscreen

I may just have to take it back to the dealer, but just worried if it is something more, and if they can't resolve it.
 
Last edited:


NotSerious

Senior Member
First Name
Me
Joined
Oct 20, 2017
Threads
46
Messages
413
Reaction score
408
Location
GreatWhiteNorthEh
Vehicle(s)
2018CivicLXSedanCVT
Country flag
The aircon turns on when you set the climate control to "defrost windshield". Aircon is a dehumidifier that reduces humidity in the car and clears the windows of moisture. If you are not setting your climate control to "defrost windshield" or your aircon system is not working you would get moisture all over your windows. Aircon system failures are common on tenth generation Civics.
 
OP
OP

chiggah

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2018
Threads
2
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Location
Asia
Vehicle(s)
Civic 1.5TC
Country flag
The aircon turns on when you set the climate control to "defrost windshield". Aircon is a dehumidifier that reduces humidity in the car and clears the windows of moisture. If you are not setting your climate control to "defrost windshield" or your aircon system is not working you would get moisture all over your windows. Aircon system failures are common on tenth generation Civics.
When you say "get moisture all over your windows", did you mean either internal or external ?

My condensation is on the external
 

Zodd

Senior Member
First Name
david
Joined
Jan 5, 2019
Threads
8
Messages
226
Reaction score
171
Location
Slovenia
Vehicle(s)
civic sport 1.5t 2018
Vehicle Showcase
1
Country flag
had similar front screen with some wax car shampo... try cleaning ur windshield with alcohol maybe ?
 

NotSerious

Senior Member
First Name
Me
Joined
Oct 20, 2017
Threads
46
Messages
413
Reaction score
408
Location
GreatWhiteNorthEh
Vehicle(s)
2018CivicLXSedanCVT
Country flag
When you say "get moisture all over your windows", did you mean either internal or external ?

My condensation is on the external
- Check that your aircon system is working (Does it blow very cold air out of the vents ?).
- If your aircon works properly, the next time you get condensation, turn on the "windshield defrost".

See if that works.
External condensation should be cleaned off by your wipers. Try using polish or wax on the outside of your windscreen if it doesn't.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP

chiggah

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2018
Threads
2
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Location
Asia
Vehicle(s)
Civic 1.5TC
Country flag
- Check that your aircon system is working (Does it blow very cold air out of the vents ?).
- If your aircon works properly, the next time you get condensation, turn on the "windshield defrost".

See if that works.
External condensation should be cleaned off by your wipers. Try using polish or wax on the outside of your windscreen if it doesn't.

Just checked, at max AC fan, no cold air is directed from the vents to the windscreen

Will try the "windshield defrost" next time. I tried last night, and it seemed to have made it worse
 
Last edited:


shoegazer

assistant to the assistant manager
Joined
Sep 5, 2018
Threads
7
Messages
1,415
Reaction score
715
Location
Raleigh NC
Vehicle(s)
2018 Civic LX Coupe 2.0 (CVT)
Country flag
We live with this in North Carolina.

If I understand the issue correctly; this condensation will generally happen when the glass is at a temperature at or below the dew point. I also notice it after a period of rain. And it fogs back up immediately after the wipers clear it away.

In those situations; I run the heat in the defrost mode in an effort to increase the temp of the glass. I'll run it, along with the ac compressor, as warm as I can tolerate.

I notice it in particular after I return to my car in a parking lot on a very humid evening.

I'm told it's the same thing as when a glass of cold liquid sweats on a humid day. A cup of (hot) coffee wouldn't do this.

Rain-X helps a bit (for me). But the key is warming the glass.
 
OP
OP

chiggah

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2018
Threads
2
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Location
Asia
Vehicle(s)
Civic 1.5TC
Country flag
Thanks I will give the heating part a try next time it happens.This doesn't occur on a daily basis, nor after every rain session, so I can still bear with it.

Would my tinting play a part of the condensation factor too, since it negates/deflect heat ?
 

latole

Civic Lx 2018 Manual , Civic LX 2016 Manual
Joined
Apr 13, 2017
Threads
17
Messages
2,971
Reaction score
806
Location
Vaudreuil,Quebec ,Canada
Vehicle(s)
Civic Lx 2018 Manual , Civic LX 2016 Manual
Country flag
It is normal. It is about weather outside and inside the car
 

krees

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2017
Threads
19
Messages
716
Reaction score
645
Location
Mountains of Central PA
Vehicle(s)
2018 Civic Type R & 2020 Ridgeline BE
Country flag
We live with this in North Carolina.

If I understand the issue correctly; this condensation will generally happen when the glass is at a temperature at or below the dew point. I also notice it after a period of rain. And it fogs back up immediately after the wipers clear it away.

In those situations; I run the heat in the defrost mode in an effort to increase the temp of the glass. I'll run it, along with the ac compressor, as warm as I can tolerate.

I notice it in particular after I return to my car in a parking lot on a very humid evening.

I'm told it's the same thing as when a glass of cold liquid sweats on a humid day. A cup of (hot) coffee wouldn't do this.

Rain-X helps a bit (for me). But the key is warming the glass.
This guy nailed it.
 

shoegazer

assistant to the assistant manager
Joined
Sep 5, 2018
Threads
7
Messages
1,415
Reaction score
715
Location
Raleigh NC
Vehicle(s)
2018 Civic LX Coupe 2.0 (CVT)
Country flag
Would my tinting play a part of the condensation factor too, since it negates/deflect heat ?
I doubt it. As mentioned above... it's about really, really high humidity levels (which raise the dewpoint temp). In these extreme conditions; my (air-conditioned) home's windows will do the same thing.
Sponsored

 
Last edited:


 


Top