For countless drivers across the UK, the morning ritual of facing a misted-up windscreen is a familiar and frustrating start to the day. That obscured view can spark anxiety when you're racing against the clock for work or the school run, not to mention the risk of a fine for driving with impaired visibility.
The 10-Second Defogging Solution
However, a simple and often overlooked feature built into most modern cars can solve the problem in as little as ten seconds. Motoring content creator @chegeceping, who shares advice on TikTok, has highlighted a specific button combination that rapidly clears condensation.
He warns that trying to wipe the glass with your hands is ineffective and that driving with a fogged windscreen is dangerously compromises vision. Instead, he advocates for a swift three-step process: turn on the air conditioning (AC), activate the external air circulation, and set the airflow mode to the windscreen defrost setting.
"After a while, the fog on the glass will disappear," he explains, also reminding drivers to engage the rear window demister button, typically marked with a rectangular symbol. While some commenters noted the initial blast of air might be chilly, the brief discomfort is a small price for safe, legal driving conditions.
Official RAC Guidance on Clearing Condensation
This advice is corroborated by the RAC, which emphasises that driving without a fully clear view is illegal. The breakdown service provides similar technical guidance, stating: "If your car has air conditioning, make sure it is switched on."
They elaborate that using the heater alone can dry the glass initially, but the air may cool and re-condense. The air conditioning system is crucial as it removes moisture from the cabin air, creating a lasting clear view. For icy windscreens, the RAC advises using the heater in conjunction with the air-con but recommends scraping the outside of the glass first.
A Proactive Hack: The Shaving Foam Trick
Beyond solving the problem, the RAC also shares a clever preventative life hack borrowed from an unexpected source: ice hockey. They recommend cleaning your windscreen with shaving foam to create a protective barrier that reduces the likelihood of misting.
"This protective barrier won't last forever and may need to be repeated regularly, but a windscreen cleaned with shaving foam will be less likely to mist up," they advise. This is the same technique used by players to stop their visors from steaming up during a game on the ice.
Mastering these quick tips—the instant button fix and the preventative foam trick—can transform a stressful, time-consuming morning chore into a matter of seconds, ensuring safer journeys for all.
