Versa SL CVT - Three Month Ownership Thoughts

[Andrews Chalmers]

I just completed a two day 700 miles road trip and currently sitting at the local Nissan dealer for a scheduled maintenance. Happy to report we averaged approximately 36mpg during the trip. We're getting our fuel pump replaced (got a faulty one), but other than that... everything has been great.

Question for the forum - how does one keep the windows clear of condensation during long cold drives? The driver's side windows constantly gets clouded... any tips? Are we improperly using it? (On heat, blowing air towards windows).

[BBISHOPPCM]

This can happen under two circumstances; 1) The intake air is set to "recirculate"

or 2) You are driving while it is raining or snowing, or the humidity is high.

In either case, select "fresh air" and turn the A/C on. This will dehumidify the air.

[Ever Victorious]

Actually, the air conditioner is much more effective at dehumidifying the air if it is set to recirculate, not fresh. The reason is that is that if it is set to fresh air, it has to dehumidify the air in the car as well as all of the air that you are drawing INTO the car. With recirc, it just has to dehumidify the air that is already there.

[jfanaselle]

I would also suggest using the anti-fog product that is produced by Rain-X. I picked up a bottle from Walmart the other day because my windows have been fogging up bad during my drive home from work each night. It works pretty well and only costs about $3.

[rwanttaja]

Actually, the air conditioner is much more effective at dehumidifying the air if it is set to recirculate, not fresh. The reason is that is that if it is set to fresh air, it has to dehumidify the air in the car as well as all of the air that you are drawing INTO the car. With recirc, it just has to dehumidify the air that is already there.

Ummm, don't know if I agree with that, EV.

The main source of moisture inside the car on cool days is the carbon-based lifeforms riding in it. The 90 degree+ air they exhale is very moist. Windows fog when warm, moist air contacts cool glass and gets chilled beyond its capability to hold water. The excess moisture then condenses on the cold surface.

I think you're better drawing in dry air from outside to dehumidify than to try keep wringing-out the already-moist air inside.

Ron

[Great White Versa]

Ummm, don't know if I agree with that, EV.

The main source of moisture inside the car on cool days is the carbon-based lifeforms riding in it. The 90 degree+ air they exhale is very moist. Windows fog when warm, moist air contacts cool glass and gets chilled beyond its capability to hold water. The excess moisture then condenses on the cold surface.

I think you're better drawing in dry air from outside to dehumidify than to try keep wringing-out the already-moist air inside.

Ron

I would agree with this also, unless you are in a very humid environment, in which EV's advice would be good. When I lived in Utah I didn't even need the A/C to defrost since the air outside was already so dry.

[Ever Victorious]

It's funny that you and I differ, being from the same (soggy) state. Whenever it rains here, trying to keep the windows defogged with the air on fresh is almost an exercise in futility. But as soon as I switch to recirculate, the windows clear up in a matter of seconds and stay that way.

However, on DRY days, after about two hours on the road I still need to switch back to recirculate, because the air it's drawing in (despite having a relative humidity of 60% or less) fogs things up.

The amount of humidity that a human can re-release into the air is limited. The amount of humidity that can be drawn into a car via fresh air is limited only by the amount of air the car can draw in. Which is a heck of a lot more air than a human breathes.

Then again, I have a LOT of driving time on my hands to test these theories.

[KimberKenobi]

Doesn't the instrument panel instruct you to use 'fresh' when you have it set to defrost... and why does it specify that?

[Ever Victorious]

Doesn't the instrument panel instruct you to use 'fresh' when you have it set to defrost... and why does it specify that?

no, the only thing the climate controls say is to use recirc with a/c.

The reason is for efficiency in the a/c system.

[jfanaselle]

no, the only thing the climate controls say is to use recirc with a/c.

The reason is for efficiency in the a/c system.

Mine actually does say to use fresh for the defroster settings. Right between the two settings (the defrost and the defrost/foot settings), it says "use with (picture of fresh arrow)." However, I couldn't find a mention of whether to use fresh or recirculated air in the manual.

[07Vsdn]

wow, not often i disagree with you.

your stated logic seems to make sense, and i thought this, too. but the car manual, and the controls, DO say to use fresh air and a/c on to dehumidify the windows.

and it works. i would guess the recirculate options works, too, but i'm betting less efficiently, although i can't explain why...

Actually, the air conditioner is much more effective at dehumidifying the air if it is set to recirculate, not fresh. The reason is that is that if it is set to fresh air, it has to dehumidify the air in the car as well as all of the air that you are drawing INTO the car. With recirc, it just has to dehumidify the air that is already there.

[07Vsdn]

trying to keep the windows defogged with the air on fresh is almost an exercise in futility. But as soon as I switch to recirculate, the windows clear up in a matter of seconds and stay that way.

it is pretty much futile to argue against experience... so i won't.

but check out these links that say do not use recirculate:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6653_k....html

graduate student from MIT:

http://www.madsci.org/posts/ar....html
Modified by 07Vsdn at 9:22 PM 11/29/2007

[Great White Versa]

My guess as to why EV has success on recirc and not fresh is because of where he lives. Though Seattle is not usually considered a 'humid' environment, cold mornings/evenings when people tend to use their defrost also tend to be times when the air around Seattle is VERY heavily laden with moisture. In the fall and winter, the air is usually only dry when the sun is out. At least that's been my experience.

[Lexi Lander]

I GOT IN A CAR ACCEDENT IN THE RAIN WITH MY VERSA ABT A MOUNTH AGO I JUST GOT IT BACK FROM THE SHOP AND IT LOOKS BETTER THEN EVER I RILLY HADE NO PROBS WITH MY CAR I LOVE IT ITS SITTING ON 18 C WITH BLACK OUT TAIL LIGHTS 20% tent

[07Vsdn]

someone has never fogged the windows up with his girlfriend while parking, actually, i'll just presume you have but have just forgotten...

if memory serves, it doesn't take too long for two hot and bothered teenagers...

[QUOTE=Ever Victorious]The amount of humidity that a human can re-release into the air is limited. QUOTE]

[Ever Victorious]

if memory serves, it doesn't take too long for two hot and bothered teenagers...

When's the last time you made out like a teenager at 60 MPH on the freeway?

In any case, it is possible that the variable humidity in Seattle does have something to do with it... but I do the bulk of my driving mid-day.

[Great White Versa]

When's the last time you made out like a teenager at 60 MPH on the freeway?

In any case, it is possible that the variable humidity in Seattle does have something to do with it... but I do the bulk of my driving mid-day.

Its Seattle. Just because its midday doesn't mean that the sun is out