Why fog lights?
Auto repair,  Tips for motorists,  Articles,  Machine operation

Why fog lights?

Usually there is no reason to worry about somehow protecting the headlights from fogging. However, sometimes such a problem can occur in all cars. Most often this happens after visiting a car wash or if the car has been exposed to heavy rain.

Automakers have equipped the headlights with ventilation holes, thanks to which the headlights dry quickly. To speed up the process, you can turn on the headlights. But what if the headlights did not fog up so much before than now? Consider a few tips.

Possible reasons

Whatever the problem, it is much easier to find its cause than to constantly deal with its consequences. The same principle applies to fogged headlights. In this case, there may be several reasons.

Cause 1

The first reason is defects in rubber seals. At the junction of the glass and the optics housing from the factory, elastic seals are installed that prevent moisture from entering the headlights. If cracks are visible on them or part of the rubber spilled out of old age, then the seals are simply replaced.

Why fog lights?

Cause 2

If the car headlight seals are intact, pay attention to the ventilation holes. Sometimes they can become clogged with dirt, for example, foliage. Since moisture that has got into the case is not removed naturally, it condenses on the glass.

Cause 3

Pay attention to the housing cover. If there are cracks in it, then moisture is not only easier to weather, but also to get into the cavity of the optics. Such a defect is easily fixed by replacing the broken part.

Cause 4

If a powerful lamp is installed in the headlamp, it may overheat the headlamp housing. Due to fusion, holes may appear in it through which moisture is easier to get inside. In this case, the replacement of the entire lamp will be required.

Why fog lights?

When replacing the headlamp, you need to remember that this procedure should be carried out with the lamp cool. If you touch a hot object with a cold object (a small drop is enough), it may burst.

In the case of xenon lamps, it is better to contact a service center, because these are elements that operate on high voltage.

Cause 5

Water in the headlamp may also appear when washing a motor or car. For this reason, the jet should not be directed at right angles to the headlights themselves. And if a contactless wash is used, the bell of the station should not be closer than 30 centimeters to the headlamp.

Why fog lights?

How to avoid fogging headlights

The optics of many machines have seals between the glass and the body. If a leak is found at the junction, then the problem can be eliminated by replacing the seal (stores sell items for each modification of collapsible headlights).

To save time on finding the right seal, you can use silicone. It is better to use a heat-resistant option. Before improving the tightness, the headlight inside must be well dried.

Why fog lights?

After performing repair work, it is necessary to install the headlight back and set the height of the light beam. Often motorists forget to do it.

You can also use the cable gland, which is included in the headlight. Do not seal this assembly with silicone. If there is a need to open the cover and perform some manipulations with the wiring, silicone will have to be cut off. In this case, there is a high probability of damage to the insulation of the wires.

If the measures discussed do not help and the headlights continue to fog up, contact a workshop for help. Otherwise, the accumulated moisture may cause poor light at dusk or may even ruin the contacts on the light bulb. During the high humidity season, some repair shops offer free optics checks, which may also include seal checks.

2 comment

  • Tory

    After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me
    when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment
    is added I receive four emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy
    method you can remove me from that service? Thank you!

  • anonym

    I bought a 2018 mk6 LED headlight. It rained and the headlight turned into steam.

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