RX450H Frozen Windshield
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
RX450H Frozen Windshield
I park my car at the train station every day for work and (ever since the beginning of winter) EVERY DAY when I return to my car, it's the only one with a completely frozen/frosted inside windshield. (Trust me, I check the other cars and do a little comparison while I wait for my windshield to clear up)
The entire inside gets completely frosted over and usually takes 10-15 minutes to defrost to the point where it's safe to drive. This is very frustrating... I've checked to see if there is water in the car. It's snowing out lately, so if a little moisture on the floor of the car is causing this, I'm not impressed at all. I drove the RX350 for 5 years before this car and never experienced this terrible annoyance... What gives?? Anybody else have this happen? It's really ruining the whole "new car" experience for me..
Actually, this happens whenever I leave my car parked in a parking lot. It's never frosted when I get in the car in the morning. The car is parked alongside our house and in the shade.. And I always leave the air intake on fresh air..
The entire inside gets completely frosted over and usually takes 10-15 minutes to defrost to the point where it's safe to drive. This is very frustrating... I've checked to see if there is water in the car. It's snowing out lately, so if a little moisture on the floor of the car is causing this, I'm not impressed at all. I drove the RX350 for 5 years before this car and never experienced this terrible annoyance... What gives?? Anybody else have this happen? It's really ruining the whole "new car" experience for me..
Actually, this happens whenever I leave my car parked in a parking lot. It's never frosted when I get in the car in the morning. The car is parked alongside our house and in the shade.. And I always leave the air intake on fresh air..
Last edited by AshleyD23; 02-06-14 at 05:39 PM.
#3
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Location: WA
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Turn your AC on, switch the vent to outside air, and the temperature up to drive the moisture out when driving to the train station. You probably could roll all the windows down the first several minutes, the humidity outside might be lower than in the car.
#4
The pursuit of F
Sorry to hear. What's curious is that when my wife uses the RX, she experiences the same thing whereas I don't or it's to a much lesser degree.
It has to do with moisture in the air and naturally, some of us expel more moisture than others in our breathing. When warm moist air cools down, cool air holds less moisture and so it deposits on cold surfaces, i.e on glass and turns to frost.
One thing you can try is leave your driver's door and trunk open for several seconds when you leave the car so you give a chance for the warm moist-rich air to escape before it freezes up inside.
Another thing you can try is leave a window slightly open (1/4 inch) enough to get air to exchange when you leave and lock the car.
Also, check that you're NOT running the heater in Recirc mode (take in fresh air)
Finally, experiment with the AC ON as the air conditioner removes moisture from the air. That should help as well...
One or a combination of these techniques will help reduce moisture and hence frost. Good luck and keep us posted on results.
It has to do with moisture in the air and naturally, some of us expel more moisture than others in our breathing. When warm moist air cools down, cool air holds less moisture and so it deposits on cold surfaces, i.e on glass and turns to frost.
One thing you can try is leave your driver's door and trunk open for several seconds when you leave the car so you give a chance for the warm moist-rich air to escape before it freezes up inside.
Another thing you can try is leave a window slightly open (1/4 inch) enough to get air to exchange when you leave and lock the car.
Also, check that you're NOT running the heater in Recirc mode (take in fresh air)
Finally, experiment with the AC ON as the air conditioner removes moisture from the air. That should help as well...
One or a combination of these techniques will help reduce moisture and hence frost. Good luck and keep us posted on results.
#5
Lexus Champion
I don't think AC will be of any use this time of the year. Compressors usually don't turn on below 32F.
I do not recall seeing an inside of the windshield (ever) being frozen. Certainly did not happen on my 450h, even at -6F, parked outside at the office for a day. All of windows are closed. No special tricks. Recirc is always on fresh air.
I would recommend cleaning your windshield from the inside. That always helps with fogging windows, so may have good effect on frost as well. The least you will get is better visibility.
I do not recall seeing an inside of the windshield (ever) being frozen. Certainly did not happen on my 450h, even at -6F, parked outside at the office for a day. All of windows are closed. No special tricks. Recirc is always on fresh air.
I would recommend cleaning your windshield from the inside. That always helps with fogging windows, so may have good effect on frost as well. The least you will get is better visibility.
#7
frost inside is possible if there is enough moisture in extremely cold weather. reason I have side window wind reflector is to safely leave window slight opened during rainy or extremely cold days to reduce moisture build up inside. works perfectly.
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#8
Lexus Champion
Originally Posted by Lexus Manual
Defogging
The air conditioning system operates automatically.
Recirculated air mode will automatically switch to outside air mode. It is not possible to return to recirculated air mode when the switch is on.
The air conditioning system operates automatically.
Recirculated air mode will automatically switch to outside air mode. It is not possible to return to recirculated air mode when the switch is on.
Originally Posted by Lexus Manual
When outside air temperature is below 32°F (0°C)
The cooling and dehumidification function may not operate even when is on.
The cooling and dehumidification function may not operate even when is on.
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2013
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One thing that might be contributing to frost, is alot of moisture in the floor mats. If you have deep ones, can trap alot of moisture. During the day the car will warm and cool with the sun and might cause evaporation. This used to happen to me with my previous vehicle when it was parked outside for long periods of time. The RX spends most of it's time garaged so can't compare.
#10
The pursuit of F
One thing that might be contributing to frost, is alot of moisture in the floor mats. If you have deep ones, can trap alot of moisture. During the day the car will warm and cool with the sun and might cause evaporation. This used to happen to me with my previous vehicle when it was parked outside for long periods of time. The RX spends most of it's time garaged so can't compare.
#11
No, I don't play soccer!
Ashley, welcome to CL. I haven't experienced a problem with the inside windshield freezing, even when there's moisture on the floor mats. The manual says using recirculated air mode for an extended period to time may cause fogging. Outside air mode is better. Keep the outside vents in the windshield cowl (underneath the wipers) free of snow. Also, check the carpeting for any signs of moisture. And if you're not using all weather mats, install a set immediately. Good luck.
#13
Instructor
Inside Frosty Windshield
I park my car at the train station every day for work and (ever since the beginning of winter) EVERY DAY when I return to my car, it's the only one with a completely frozen/frosted inside windshield. (Trust me, I check the other cars and do a little comparison while I wait for my windshield to clear up)
The entire inside gets completely frosted over and usually takes 10-15 minutes to defrost to the point where it's safe to drive. This is very frustrating... I've checked to see if there is water in the car. It's snowing out lately, so if a little moisture on the floor of the car is causing this, I'm not impressed at all. I drove the RX350 for 5 years before this car and never experienced this terrible annoyance... What gives?? Anybody else have this happen? It's really ruining the whole "new car" experience for me..
Actually, this happens whenever I leave my car parked in a parking lot. It's never frosted when I get in the car in the morning. The car is parked alongside our house and in the shade.. And I always leave the air intake on fresh air..
The entire inside gets completely frosted over and usually takes 10-15 minutes to defrost to the point where it's safe to drive. This is very frustrating... I've checked to see if there is water in the car. It's snowing out lately, so if a little moisture on the floor of the car is causing this, I'm not impressed at all. I drove the RX350 for 5 years before this car and never experienced this terrible annoyance... What gives?? Anybody else have this happen? It's really ruining the whole "new car" experience for me..
Actually, this happens whenever I leave my car parked in a parking lot. It's never frosted when I get in the car in the morning. The car is parked alongside our house and in the shade.. And I always leave the air intake on fresh air..
Ray
#14
Instructor
Frost inside after parked all day
You may have a small leak in your heater that builds up humidity inside the car, then condenses and forms frost inside the glass while you are at work.
Just a thought. Let us know what fixes the problem.
Ray A.
Just a thought. Let us know what fixes the problem.
Ray A.
#15
I've never had this happen to my car and does not seem like normal behavior so I would get it checked out.
What I have seen (quite a lot this winter) is the outside of my windshield and wiper blades freezing up driving in the snow.
Its made for several scary rides home from work this year becasue I can't see anything despite the defroster on full-tilt.
What I have seen (quite a lot this winter) is the outside of my windshield and wiper blades freezing up driving in the snow.
Its made for several scary rides home from work this year becasue I can't see anything despite the defroster on full-tilt.
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