Snow Removal in Snowy Regions: Tips from the Self-Defense Forces and Local Wisdom

2021.01.11

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How to Reduce Fogging on Car Windows

On snowy days, car interiors are prone to fogging.

Driving on snowy roads already requires extra caution. If the windshield fogs up and your visibility is obstructed, it poses a serious safety risk.

Adjusting the air conditioner usually eliminates fogging. However, persistent fogging can be a nuisance, forcing you to hunch over and peer through the small, clear portions of the glass. Many drivers have likely experienced this frustrating situation.

Avoid Bringing Snow into the Car on Your Boots or Shoes

A video from the YouTube channel Self-Defense Forces LIFEHACK CHANNEL highlights an unexpected cause of foggy windows during snowfall.

When you’re trying to get into your car during heavy snow, you likely hurry to shut the door to avoid getting wet.

Not a few people may be more inclined to rush into the car to avoid ruining their appearance or hair. However, a common blind spot in these situations is your feet.

According to the Self-Defense Forces LIFEHACK CHANNEL video titled “How to Reduce Fogging on Car Windows,” snow attached to your boots or shoes often gets carried into the car by the driver and passengers. This snow melts, increasing the humidity inside the car and causing the windows to fog up.

While air conditioning adjustments can resolve the issue, it’s worth noting that cold, snowy days can reduce battery efficiency, making the car battery more prone to failure—a concern also highlighted by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

To minimize strain on the battery and reduce fogging, consider small practices like:

Sitting down on the seat before fully entering the car.
Keeping your feet outside and knocking snow off your shoes before bringing them inside.

If your battery dies and your car gets stranded on a snowy road, seek help promptly. Here are some measures you can take:

Turn on the hazard lights (if possible).
Place a warning triangle to signal your vehicle’s presence.
Open the trunk to indicate that your car has broken down.

Opening the trunk is a particularly clear way to signal to others that your car is in trouble.

(A note from the deputy editor of Hokuroku: Producer Hiroyuki Akashi mentioned before publication that he was concerned this feature might unintentionally come across as a life hack article. This concern has now materialized, and it does indeed resemble a life hack piece.

However, since we referenced the Self-Defense Forces LIFEHACK CHANNEL, this was somewhat inevitable. We will consider ways to address this issue.

In closing, we’ll also introduce self-defense force-inspired cold-weather measures that can be helpful for activities like walking to buy groceries or shoveling snow outdoors.)

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