PHEV... front window fogging up... how to stop?

[Nick72]

Hi All

Mid way through a drive earlier the front window started fogging. The only way I could clear that was to press the front window defogger button which does a full blast and kicks in the ICE as Ernie has mentioned. No other setting on the air con including front screen + feet setting, high temp, and fan full blast could shift the the fogging. Only by pressing the mega front defogger button would clear it. Weird? Or am I missing something? 

 

Thanks 

Nick

[Cyker]

Do you have it on recirc or fresh air intake? Recirc can cause windows to fog up quickly if the AC isn't on, esp. in winter.

 

[Nick72]

Just now, Cyker said:

Do you have it on recirc or fresh air intake? Recirc can cause windows to fog up quickly if the AC isn't on, esp. in winter.

 

Recirc. That must be it. I'll switch it over as the only reason for that being set was to keep pollen down in the car for daughter.

 

Thanks. Will try that tomorrow. 

[FROSTYBALLS]

As regards filtering out pollen, may be worth looking at a carbon activated cabin filter -

https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-cabin-filters-the-secret-to-cleaner-air-infographic/

[Cyker]

I think it most likely is the recirc then - Let us know how you get on!!

 

I tried the Toyota charcoal air filter in my Mk2 and TBH it was quite disappointing - I was thinking it would e.g. reduce outside smells like bus fumes and sewage (One of my routes takes me past a sewage treatment plant. Lovely on a hot day! ), but frankly it didn't seem to perform any different to the regular filter, other than it was dark grey instead of white! To be fair the Mk2 has a really stupid filter design and doesn't use a carrier, unlike the Mk1, so I doubt it was sealing properly to perform optimally.

I have seen third party ones from e.g. Bosch, that have multiple layers, including a charcoal impregnated foam layer, so may try one of those one day in the Mk4, but the Mk4 seems to let outside air in sometimes, even in recirc mode, as I've had it exclusively in recirc mode since I bought it but still occasionally catch a wiff of bus exhaust, so don't know if that will have a similar problem. (That said I noticed it was in fresh air mode today, so I'm wondering if the system sometimes overrides what I've set it to...?)

[IanML]

Continuous recirc for long periods can raise the CO2 level and decrease the O2 level to the point that you can nod off, so no bad thing if it does do that .

[Nick72]

1 hour ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

As regards filtering out pollen, may be worth looking at a carbon activated cabin filter -

https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-cabin-filters-the-secret-to-cleaner-air-infographic/

That's a great call, thanks Frosty.

Looking now, will get an enhanced one if not already fitted. Will check out what's in there at the weekend.  Anything that helps.

[Nick72]

43 minutes ago, Cyker said:

I think it most likely is the recirc then - Let us know how you get on!!

 

I tried the Toyota charcoal air filter in my Mk2 and TBH it was quite disappointing - I was thinking it would e.g. reduce outside smells like bus fumes and sewage (One of my routes takes me past a sewage treatment plant. Lovely on a hot day! ), but frankly it didn't seem to perform any different to the regular filter, other than it was dark grey instead of white! To be fair the Mk2 has a really stupid filter design and doesn't use a carrier, unlike the Mk1, so I doubt it was sealing properly to perform optimally.

I have seen third party ones from e.g. Bosch, that have multiple layers, including a charcoal impregnated foam layer, so may try one of those one day in the Mk4, but the Mk4 seems to let outside air in sometimes, even in recirc mode, as I've had it exclusively in recirc mode since I bought it but still occasionally catch a wiff of bus exhaust, so don't know if that will have a similar problem. (That said I noticed it was in fresh air mode today, so I'm wondering if the system sometimes overrides what I've set it to...?)

Suspect most cars don't seal so well. All just a case of improving things as much as is sensible. Some Tesla's have a bio warfare mode which gives a good seal.

So far so good really but intrigued by the charcoal (carbon) filter. We have a couple of air purifiers in the house which help with the dust and pollen allergy folk here. They're HEPA but also have a charcoal layer. Probably helps with VOCs.😀