Where will things dropped into the defroster vent fall?
2 Answers
The front windshield vent is connected to the air conditioning outlet. If something falls into the gap of the front windshield, it will generally end up at the air outlet. Additionally, if the dropped item is small, it might fall to the bottom of the air conditioning duct. Here are solutions for dealing with foggy front windshields during summer rainy days: 1. Lower the window: Adjust the window slightly open to reduce the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the car, which will make the fog disappear. In summer, fog forms on the outside of the glass. The temperature inside the car is lower, while the outside temperature is higher. When the hot outside air meets the cold glass, the water vapor in the outside air condenses into small droplets on the glass. 2. Turn on the air conditioning: After turning on the air conditioning, use the recirculation mode and adjust the air vents to blow onto the glass. This will quickly clear the fog inside the car. 3. Turn on the heater: Adjust the switch to the warm air position, increase the fan speed, and set the air vents to blow onto the glass. This will raise the temperature inside the car and dry the air.
I've been driving for ten years and often eat or place small items in the car. Accidentally dropping keys or phones into the defroster vent usually means they end up in the ventilation ducts beneath the dashboard. These ducts connect to the blower fan, which sits low—if something gets stuck, it can cause noise or even block airflow, making it harder to clear fogged windows. My advice: don’t dig forcefully; try using a soft tube or vacuum to retrieve the item, but be careful with wiring. Once, a coin fell in, and the mechanic said it slid behind the glove compartment, requiring a lot of effort to remove. I recommend sealing food wrappers while driving or adding mesh covers over the vents. Though small, neglecting this can affect driving safety or even damage the fan.
