British drivers have been advised against pressing one button when travelling in cold weather during the autumn and winter months.
With the temperature dropping over most parts of the UK in recent days, many motorists may get behind the wheel only to find the windscreen and side windows are misted up with condensation.
To help drivers clear the mist quickly, an expert from Eden Tyres & Maintenance recently told the US Times Post to avoid pressing the recirculation button, which can make matters worse.
They explained: “When it’s cold outside, make sure the recirculation button is turned off. The recirculation button is best used in warm weather in conjunction with the air conditioning.
“In cooler weather, it doesn’t have many benefits and can even be harmful. Your windows fog up much quicker and stay that way while you drive.”
Found in almost all ventilation systems on cars, pressing the recirculation button will cause the heater to use air that is already in the vehicle, rather than outside.
This can be particularly useful when warming up the interior of a car on a cold day, however is incredibly ineffective at removing the moisture-filled air from inside the vehicle.
Instead, drivers should set their ventilation system to get fresh air from outside the vehicle, which will be much drier and therefore help to reduce condensation.
Similarly, drivers looking to demist the windows in their car in record time should also turn on the air conditioning system and set the fan to full blast.
This will help to remove any moisture from air entering the vehicle, which again will help to cut down on any condensation on the windows.
On vehicles without air conditioning, motorists should brace the cold temperatures and open the windows. This allows any moisture to escape from the air.
Whatever technique a driver uses, it is vital that they clear all of the windows in their vehicle before setting off to prevent a number of consequences.
Even minimal amounts of condensation can prevent motorists from spotting hazards on the road, putting them at a much higher risk of accidents and collisions.
However, if a police officer spots a vehicle with a misted windscreen, the driver could face a £100 fine and three licence points, with penalties increasing to £2,500 if condensation caused an accident that harmed others.
