Misted-up windows are part and parcel of driving, especially in the cold and damp season. However, modern air conditioning and ventilation systems are normally able to rectify the problem within a very short time. It seems to be different with some Teslas.
The problem: Tesla windows fog up permanently
Tesla drivers report cases in which they had to fight fogged up or even dripping wet windows for hours on long journeys. Sometimes such a condition only occurred after some (driving) time, although the view was clear at the beginning.
In these cases, the air conditioning system was often unable to provide any improvement, or only for a short time, even at maximum output. What could be the reason for this?
Possible causes of misted-up Tesla windows
If the ventilation system itself is not defective, but is blowing recognizable air from the desired nozzles, the first thing to do is to rule out moisture in the intake system. We recommend changing the cabin air filter, which you should do regularly anyway in the interests of clean cabin air.
If the filters are damp or even wet, there is most likely water in the intake system and the problem is localized. If the filters are dry, however, the search for the cause continues. Here you will find our antibacterial Teslabs cabin air filters, which reliably protect you from fine dust and allergens thanks to activated carbon technology.
However, in case of doubt, moisture is not only found in the ventilation system, but can also penetrate the interior in other places. This often manifests itself in wet floor carpets from which water can be squeezed out.
Finally, it can also happen that control flaps in the ventilation system are blocked, for example by leaves and other foreign objects, but also by wear and tear or other failures. The Tesla software diagnoses such problems and displays them in the service menu - which is generally a good diagnostic tool.
Here you can read more about Tesla Service Mode, which can also be a great help with this problem.
Found a problem? Off to the service center
All the causes mentioned have one thing in common: you don't usually fix them yourself. Once a possible cause has been identified, the next step is to go to the service center. Of course, Tesla can never rule out a software problem in the air conditioning control system - but this usually resolves itself with the next update.
Do you also suffer from steamed-up windows? Please leave a comment!
