hey,
recently, as temperatures have dropped, I've found out that my windshield, as well as both windows are covered with ice... from the inside of the car... after parking outside for a couple of hours.
and when i mean ice.. i mean completely frozen, thin layer of ice, that can not be wiped away by hand.

The only solution was to start the car, and wait for it to warm up and melt it away.

I'm guessing the cause of it is the humidity in the car, in temp below 20 degrees...

as i hope someone have encountered that before... (it was a whole new experience to me) I was wondering if anyone has a better solution to avoid frozen windows? (assuming i'll need to park for a couple of hours in a non-heated garage every once in a while)

would appreciate any insight...
Eitan.

 

It sounds to me like there might be something else wrong with your car if that is happening? Maybe a broken heater core or some antifreeze leaking into the car? A sunroof seal that is broken and allowing water into the car? I've NEVER had water INSIDE my car freeze on the windows even keeping it in a heated garage and driving out into 10-12* weather

 

That never happens to me on my winter car (audi) or any of my previous winter cars, but something similar does to others I know AFTER they've started their car. If this happens to you BEFORE you get to your car, please ignore my comments below. If it's AFTER you start it, then does your car have a 'recirculate' button? If yes, turn that OFF. All it does is take the water vapour and shoot it onto your window which is still cold, so instant frost all over the inside glass.

 

This happens to me in my F-150 all the time. The only way I can keep it from happening is to turn the ventilation system completely off before getting out. If I shut the truck off while defrost is on and leave it I come back to fog or ice....

 

Oh yeah, one other thing I learned from when I was in Europe, try turning ON your air conditioner. I know it sounds stupid, but it will actually work as a 'de-humidifier' even with your "heat" on so it doesn't blow cold. That will help to remove some of the moisture hitting your interior.

 

AC is on... it doesnt sounds stupid at all
and it happens ONLY before starting the car (after being sitting outside in the cold), when temp' are way below 32's.
i dont believe that the 'recirculate button' is on... but i'll check.

 

I have never heard of such a thing. Having lived in CT all my life, I've had plenty of cars in the cold weather (maybe not as cold as Chicago, but not too far off). There must be something going on that is making it particularly humid in your car. I'd have it checked out. Maybe something is leaking in the evaporator or condenser and the humidity is escaping as unnoticed water vapor into the cabin.

 

Yeah, that's weird. I've seen it from when the fans go on AFTER the car is started, but never from leaving it sitting there like overnight. Weird things have been happening in this artic freeze though, but while I'd like to say that this may just be a manifestation of the weather, it does sound like you've got something else going on. I'd follow on preintemps2001's thoughts and check our your evaporator and condensor. G/L