Any De-fogging Issue with the Mazda3?

[SirWanker]

I do not own a Mazda 3 yet but hope to be one shortly.

Anyhoo, has anyone experienced issues with interior defogging of the Mazda 3?
I've owned four cars ( 2 Civic Si; 1 Jetta GLX and 1 LR Freelander) and none of them could properly defog the interior, especially in the winter or humid rainy days. In all cases I had to use teh defogging feature combined with the A/C before it would work to some degree.

Is this the same for the Mazda 3?

Thanks

[Skarbro]

Interesting question to ask before buying a car.

I don't find the 3 to be any different than most cars in terms of defogging ability. It's ok. The front window defogging setting automatically turns on the AC so that is pretty good. I like the heated side mirrors too.

[Niteshade]

I find that the front and back defog work really well but the driver's side can fog up quickly and doesn't defog all that well :complain (would assume this would be same on passenger side if there were a passenger in the seat).
Directing the driver's side vent fins at the window helped speed up the defog tho.

Nite

[Wild Weasel]

I've actually been having real issues with this lately.

Tonight when I got to the GO station, the INSIDE of the front windshield was covered with condensation. :(

[dumpbear]

Mine works very well with the defog setting. As mentioned above, it automatically turns on the AC so it clears it pretty good. I consequently try to use the defog setting only when needed to conserve gasoline (by not using the AC).

I have a new 08 3, to complete the picture.

[Niteshade]

FYI, according the the Holy Mazda 3 Bible, chapter 6, verse 9, it is recommended that the A/C be used as a "dehumidifier" in cool or cold weather.

Skarbro and dumpbear: I'm guessing you've got the leather lux pkg in your 3s? In the 2008 Sport (hatch) only the GT luxury pkg has auto climate control. In GS or GT Sport you have to turn it on manually and have the defog blower on at the same time.

[PlatMS6]

You need the A/C to de-fog quickly... in ANY car. AC by design removes moisture from the air.

You have a drain tube on the front passeger side right by the firewall on most cars where the water from the evaporator drains out. If you have a fogging problem with the AC on this drain can be partly clogged especially on older cars from road gunk.

[Skarbro]

FYI, according the the Holy Mazda 3 Bible, chapter 6, verse 9, it is recommended that the A/C be used as a "dehumidifier" in cool or cold weather.

Skarbro and dumpbear: I'm guessing you've got the leather lux pkg in your 3s? In the 2008 Sport (hatch) only the GT luxury pkg has auto climate control. In GS or GT Sport you have to turn it on manually and have the defog blower on at the same time.
No, I don't have the luxury package. I have the regular HVAC. In the manual it will tell you that the AC pump will come on on any setting that is 12 o'clock or to the right on the selection dial. You don't have to manually turn on the AC button. It comes on by itself.

[Skarbro]

Directing the driver's side vent fins at the window helped speed up the defog tho.

This is what I do in the winter. I direct the driver's side and passenger side dash vents to point at the side windows. This greatly speeds up the the defogging on the sides. The little fixed vents on the dash corners that are meant for this are somewhat inadequate.

[dumpbear]

No, I don't have the luxury package. I have the regular HVAC. In the manual it will tell you that the AC pump will come on on any setting that is 12 o'clock or to the right on the selection dial. You don't have to manually turn on the AC button. It comes on by itself.

^^^Ditto^^^

From page 6-9 in the manual (err bible):

* Windshield Defrosting and Defogging
1. Set the mode selector dial to the [windshield defrost], position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.

NOTE
* For maximum defrosting, set the temperature control dial to the extreme hot position and the fan control dial to position 4.

* If warm air is desired at the floor, set the mode selector dial to the [windshield defrost and feet] position.

* In the [feet only], [windshield defrost], or [windshield defrost and feet] position, the air conditioner is automatically turned on (however, the indicator light does not illuminate) and the outside air mode is automatically selected to defrost the windshield. In the [windshield defrost] or [windshield defrost and feet] position, the outside air mode cannot be changed to the recirculated air mode.


Interestingly enough, on page 6-7 the holy document states:

NOTE
* The air conditioner may not function when the outside temperature approaches 0 °C (32 °F).

:bang:bang:bang

I've never had any problems with anything though...

[Flagrum_3]

Interestingly enough, on page 6-7 the holy document states:

NOTE
* The air conditioner may not function when the outside temperature approaches 0 °C (32 °F).

:bang:bang:bang

I've never had any problems with anything though...

That's the problem with our system imo, the compressor will still come on below 0 C, wasting fuel! ...I would prefer that the HVAC system only come on when I want it too! ...you don't need hvac to defrost or defog the windows just warm blowing air, which was the method used up until just recently...Manufacturers applied this method so people would have less hvac problems...they should give us the option on this especially if your wise to the fact that the hvac system should be used atleast one a month for 20 minutes or so; enough to keep the system operational.Otherwise its a just a waste.


_3


.

[Cardinal Fang]

For the most part I find that my front windshield as well as the drivers side and passenger side windows get defogged rather well. No problems at all. The rear windshield has the defrost wires so that isn't a problem either. My rear passenger windows never really get defogged. I usually have to roll them down to get the fog off of them.

Having said that my wife's TSX has a kick ass system and the rear passenger windows suffer the same problem. So when all is said and done the defrost/defogger on my car operates in the manner I expected.

[Niteshade]

CT has RainX defogger sol'n. No idea how well this works or if it's safe to use on tints tho.

[Flagrum_3]

For the most part I find that my front windshield as well as the drivers side and passenger side windows get defogged rather well. No problems at all. The rear windshield has the defrost wires so that isn't a problem either. My rear passenger windows never really get defogged. I usually have to roll them down to get the fog off of them.

Having said that my wife's TSX has a kick ass system and the rear passenger windows suffer the same problem. So when all is said and done the defrost/defogger on my car operates in the manner I expected.

+1, My system works quite well clearing all windows, never really had a problem but just don't like the fact that you gotta use the Hvac to do it, ...especially with the price of fuel these days.


_3


.

[tinyfist]

+1, My system works quite well clearing all windows, never really had a problem but just don't like the fact that you gotta use the Hvac to do it, ...especially with the price of fuel these days.



+1

I also don't like the fact that the A/C light doesn't turn on so that you know what it's doing. Having it turn on would've prevented so many people (like me) from being confused.

[Wild Weasel]

CT has RainX defogger sol'n. No idea how well this works or if it's safe to use on tints tho.

I read the label and it says specifically not to apply it to plastics, so I wouldn't put it on tint film.

That said... the only fogging issues I've had were with the windshield, and they only started after having the heat on going through a car wash. It sucked the steam right in and probably left a film on the windshield. After cleaning it, it's been fine.

[dustyrhodes]

i have the same problem when i go through a touchless, its because its cold outside and the water that is being sprayed is warm so it creates a little bit of condensation, also the inside of the carwash is warmer then outside which does it too, i put my defogger on as soon as i enter and it never happens anymore and also the soap makes the car smell minty fresh if your taking the air from outside rather than recirculating it!try it!

[ptfire]

It has never been a problem for me with any of the cars I have owned, even the ones without AC.

[pahecko]

I don't find it that much of a problem. If heat isn't defogging the windows, I cool it down and viola. clear windows. Sides are always harder no matter what, but it's the same for every car. keep your self from giving too much heat by not keeping it so warm in the car. and you shouldn't have a problem.

Remember you don't have to be sweating to be warm. ;)

[x_o_k_x]

while some of you having problems with defogging on the inside, I have a problem with defooging the outside lol. In the summer when I turn on my ac, to defog windows in the humid hot nights esspecially after rain, the front windshield on the outside creates condensation while everything else is normal, and soo much that my wipers come on! very annoying...

[x_o_k_x]

btw the reason for windows fogging up..could it be because the air is not circulating from the outside? I always keep air running, never had problems with fogging issues, except the outside lol

[zoomzoom33]

+1, My system works quite well clearing all windows.
.

I agree with that, but I need to blast the blower to max. in order to get it to
clear quickly. Do you put it in auto or just the de-fog?


+1
I also don't like the fact that the A/C light doesn't turn on so that you know what it's doing. Having it turn on would've prevented so many people (like me) from being confused.

I've noticed that the compressor seams to go on, but never really understood as to why the A/C light doesn't go on. Does this means I'm driving around with my A/C on all the time when ever I turn on my heater or is there a particular temp/setting that this happens at? I've played around with the settings all the time and can never get that hummming sound of the compressor to turn off. Also I noticed that at different settings, the blower/fan would increase based on temp. selected. Is this normal?

[Fuman]

I agree with that, but I need to blast the blower to max. in order to get it to
clear quickly. Do you put it in auto or just the de-fog?
Fan#2, Blower pointing at front the windows (rightest setting). It comes really well for fog
When it comes to actual defrosting, it takes forever cause my heat takes a while to come on, lol.


I've noticed that the compressor seams to go on, but never really understood as to why the A/C light doesn't go on. Does this means I'm driving around with my A/C on all the time when ever I turn on my heater or is there a particular temp/setting that this happens at? I've played around with the settings all the time and can never get that hummming sound of the compressor to turn off. Also I noticed that at different settings, the blower/fan would increase based on temp. selected. Is this normal?In the summer, put it on defrosting the front windows, then change it so it is blowing at you, you should notice the cold air.