HardHitter

I don't know about you guys, but does your RX-8 fog up easily? Mainly the windshield while driving? I don't know if it's cause of the weather or what, but my windshield constantly will fog up when I'm driving and I will have to put the defroster on in order to clear it up. (should I put it on hot or cold to get rid of it? which is best) Would it be fine to keep defroster on all the time or will that drain gas (heard having the heater/ac on will lessen mpg) What's the best way to cure this?

Also, not a very serious question, but where does your temperature guage needle stay at usually? After about 5-10 minutes of driving (city or highway) the needle is a little less than 1/2 way between in the guage. Is this normal or is the engine too hot/I am working it too hard.

I just got her last week, so I'm still trying to figure out all the "default" places where and how things should be. Really don't want to hurt my baby at all. Thanks in advance

GRT8

After defrosting the windshield, I put the vent down to the floor setting. This keeps the windshield clear but still keeps us warm.

My temp guage never goes over half way.

Go48

Make sure you have the air set to outside. Fogging with the air set to recirculate is common in all cars.

Normal.

Straight8

Clean it! The cleaner the surface the less chance water vapor will stick to it. Ever go outside early in the morning and notice dew seems to collect more on dirty cars than ones that are clean? Same hing w/the inside of your windshield...clean it well.

Gambit

Yeah it's normal, and make sure you don't leave the defroster on when you turn your car off, I've come back to mine a few times and there has been a lot of moisture on the inside of the window because it got in through there. The temp is normal, mine is always a little under halfway

Genesis

heater no, ac yes

StewC625

You can engage the AC compressor at any time to remove humidity from the cabin air and prevent things from fogging up.

I never fog up in the winter - I run my car on the windshield/floor setting at all times in the winter, the recirc button set to fresh air (all outside air, not recirc), and the ac button engaged.

Stew

Labop

Usually keeping is set to external air (not recycled) keeps mine fog free. I know rainx also sells a product to prevent fogging inside. I haven't used it yet, but it's sitting on my shelf.

If it's really bad, I'll kick it on defroster and a/c.

ineedmoney

I also do this. With the defroster on, recirc mode can not be selected. The AC is also automatically engaged whether the AC light is on or not.

Frank Patrick

Clean window (H20 and viniger/newspaper-then sparringly apply Rain-x (interia) the black container--Gurantee to clear up your fog problem- re-do every 2months

Labop

OK, I've heard of the water/viniger and newpaper trick, does that really make a difference over using paper towel?

Frank Patrick

I gurantee it-far less steking- don't know why it works- but it sure does the trick

Labop

Read it in a detailing book a few weeks back I haven't tried it.

I didn't believe it, I'll have to try it now.

Low Fly'n 8

The temperature gauge is not really measuring any temperature at all. It is just a fancy "idiot light". It is controlled by the computer to sit in that same spot unless you have an overheating condition. If it moves, it is the same thing as warning light lighting up on your dash. Same goes for the oil pressure "gauge". You would think a $30K + sports car would have real gauges.

Mazdax605

I was under the assumption the temp gauge was indeed a real gauge,but that the oil pressure gauge was a fancy idiot light.Am I wrong?

Go48

Yeah, I have no trouble believing that the oil pressure gauge is a glorified idiot light since it immediately pops up to the "parking" position and doesn't fluctuate with engine RPM. However, the temperature gauge slowly creeps up to the "parking" position as the engine warms up and slowly returns to zero as the engine cools. Because of that, I believe that the gauge is actually displaying coolant temperature. At least something is measuring coolant temps and passing that information to the gauge.

rx8cited

No, you are correct ...... the other person is wrong.

Nubo

The more heat you apply while the AC is active, the more moisture will be pulled out of the cabin. Warm air holds more water vapor, which then condenses on the AC coils and is drained away. The materials in the interior hold moisture as well. Over a period of time in wet weather, it builds up from wet shoes, jackets, etc. and you'll notice the windows fogging more frequently.

As you dry the air, it then pulls some of that accumulated moisture out of the materials. Using the AC in conjunction with WARM air will accelerate this process. If you get a nice day with low humidity, leaving the windows down will help flush a lot of moisture out.