What to Do When You Can't See Through the Side Windows of Your Car in the Rain?
3 Answers
Apply toothpaste or soap evenly on the side windows of the car, wait for a while until the applied soap hardens, and then wipe it off with a towel. Spray glass water repellent evenly on the car windows and rearview mirrors, and a protective film will form on the surface of the rearview mirrors. If the side windows inside the car fog up, turn on the car's air conditioning defogging function and adjust the air outlet angle to face the windows. For fog and water droplets on the rearview mirrors, if your car has a rearview mirror heating function, turn it on, and the fog will be effectively removed within 3-5 minutes.
The most annoying thing about driving in the rain is the blurry side windows. I usually start by increasing the wiper speed to prevent slow, lazy wiping. If the side windows fog up, I press the defog button on the AC and blast cold air at the glass for about half a minute—it clears up much faster. In winter, I switch to warm air, though the effect is slightly slower. Don’t forget the heated mirrors—just press the square button with wavy lines, and the water droplets evaporate quickly. Before changing lanes in the rain, I lean over to double-check; if the mirrors aren’t clear, I roll down the window for a better look—getting a little wet beats a fender bender. When parking, I take five minutes to inspect the wiper blades and replace them if they streak. I always keep a degreaser handy for the glass, which helps reduce water beading. If all else fails, I pull over at a rest stop and wait for the rain to ease up—safety first.
When the rain is too heavy, I reduce my speed and turn on the hazard lights, then switch the air conditioning to external circulation to defog the windshield while setting the wipers to the fastest speed. If the windshield remains streaky, it's definitely due to oil film buildup, which requires a specialized cleaner for a thorough wipe. The heated side mirrors are crucial—paired with the defogging mode, they clear up within five minutes. I've experienced aged wipers leaving water streaks that worsen visibility, so now I make it a habit to replace them twice a year. Cracking the window slightly helps balance interior and exterior temperatures to prevent fogging, but avoid opening it too wide to prevent rainwater from splashing in. Also, keep the rear windshield defroster on—it complements the side and rearview mirrors when reversing. If visibility is severely compromised, rely on navigation assistance with audio lane-change alerts for added peace of mind.
