A CAR expert has revealed why you should never wipe condensation off your windscreen before setting off.
James Lett, technical director at Autodata, explained why the common error could actually lead to your motor being even more fogged up.
The SunJames Lett urged Brits never to wipe condensation off their windscreens[/caption]
GettyThe common error could actually make things worse[/caption]
James, a former mechanic of 15 years, urged Brits to avoid trying to cut corners by simply wiping the glass down with a cloth or towel.
He told The Sun Online: “You see it all the time, people driving down the road and they’ve got a clear windscreen, but you see where they’ve wiped the inside of the it.
“You shouldn’t really touch it.
“Any dirt on the windscreen is actually going to make the condensation worse.
“So it’s important to keep the glass clean.”
Obviously when you’re cleaning it, it’s ok to wipe it down but if you’re just looking to get rid of the condensation, the rag or cloth you use could actually introduce more dirt to the screen.
This is especially true if the cloth itself is left in the car afterwards and isn’t regularly washed.
And leaving it in the car will also make things worse by keeping the moisture you’ve just removed from the screen circulating within the cabin.
Instead, James shared some of his top tips for not only getting rid of condensation but actually preventing it in the first place.
As it turns out, the key to beating the problem is an everyday button on almost every dashboard out there.
He advised: “If you have anything damp that’s left in your car, it’s going to cause more condensation in the car.
“And a lot of people believe that the air conditioning is just to keep you cool.
“However, it actually removes moisture from the air.
“So if you’ve got the AC and the heater on the windscreen at the same time, it’s going to remove all that condensation.
“Just get in and hit the windscreen defrost button straight away and make sure it’s blowing on the screen.”
It comes after James previously revealed how your tyres could be illegal without you even realising – and why the ’20p test’ could fail you.
Meanwhile, a money-making pro shared three car-based side hustles that could earn you hundreds.
How a 5p B&M product can rid your car of condensation
Cleaning gurus swear by cheap household items that can help bust window condensation.
From salt, to silica gel packets to cat litter, there’s all sorts of weird and wonderful hacks out there.
One great tip is to sprinkle a pinch of bicarbonate of soda, also known as baking soda, about the cabin.
The white powder naturally absorbs moisture, as well as neutralising harsh smells.
And you can pick up a pot of the stuff in B&M for just £1 – roughly 5p per sprinkle.
Just distribute a dash of bicarb around your motor and it should leave it free from damp and smelling as fresh as ever.