Getting to Know the Defogger from Its Location to How to Maintain It
The defogger is a brownish line that runs horizontally on the rear window of the car. Have you ever noticed the back of your car? On the rear of the car, there are brown lines on the main glass. Many people think that this part is just a regular sticker used for decoration. In fact, it has a very important function to ensure visibility for the driver while driving. So, what exactly are these lines? And how do they work?
These lines are not just lines. They serve the purpose of removing dew that sticks to the car when it is raining. When driving in the rain without using the AC, the view to the rear often becomes more blurred due to the dew that forms. This dew can certainly interfere with visibility, which can also disrupt and threaten safety when driving on the road with many cars and other vehicles.
However, the presence of the brown lines on the back of the car minimizes the occurrence of vision disturbances caused by dew when it rains. Dew generally occurs due to a temperature difference between the outside environment and the temperature inside the cabin. When the outside air is cooler than the temperature inside, dew can form.
Location of the Defogger
The defogger is an important feature in a car. Although most cars have this feature, many people still feel confused or do not know where to activate it.
Even though many cars have this feature, it is not uncommon for people to be confused or even not understand where to activate it. This feature is usually accompanied by a button located around the car's AC control center. This button is typically symbolized by an image of a rectangle crossed with a wavy line. You just need to press this button to activate the feature.
The car defogger has 2 types, namely at the front and rear. For the front, it works by using the AC fan, and air will blow from the ventilation located on the dashboard. After that, the air will be synchronized with the AC temperature.
For the rear, the operation is actually simpler, as the lines on the back of the car are heating elements. This system will heat these elements so that dew can disappear more quickly from the glass. However, when touched, the elements will not feel hot. The operation of this feature is similar to that of an electric stove, where heat is induced to the surface of the glass.
Function of the Defogger
The defogger generally does not require complicated maintenance, and it is not uncommon for people to leave it as is. However, make sure to do a few things to keep this feature functioning well, such as being careful when cleaning the rear of the car or when turning it on.
When it rains, the cabin temperature and the outside temperature become different or can be said to be unbalanced. If the car AC is left on in such conditions, fog will appear and can fill the rear glass, thus obstructing the view to the rear.
It is important to ensure that this feature continues to function well even if the car has been used for a long time. Especially since this feature is vital when driving in the rain.
How to Maintain the Defogger
The first thing to pay attention to is to make sure to use or activate this feature only when needed. If there is already dew or fog on the rear glass, then this feature should be turned on. However, when it rains and there is no dew, it is better not to activate this feature. Additionally, make sure to turn off this feature once the fog or dew has disappeared. Do not let this feature remain active when the dew that obstructs the view has already gone.
Furthermore, also be careful with the connectors or sockets associated with this feature. Generally, the socket position is upright and can be bumped if not careful when wiping the car glass. Although damage is rare, it does not hurt to occasionally check by opening the socket to ensure its condition. If your car is quite old, you also need to be careful with the connector solder to ensure it does not come loose.
The easiest maintenance you can do is simply to wipe it. Do not use a rough textured cloth, especially on the rear glass of the car that is not equipped with window film. Use a chamois or cotton cloth with a smooth texture to wipe the rear of the car.
The cause of damage to this feature can also be due to the replacement of window film. A sign that the defogger is damaged is a difference in color. If this feature is still working well or is still active, the color that appears is darker. Or to be more certain, you can check it using a multitester so that any damage can be detected, including the cause.
Damage can occur due to a broken circuit or a connector that is not properly installed. That is simple maintenance to take care of this feature that is useful for dealing with dew that can interfere with safety while driving. Make sure this feature has been turned off; many people forget to turn this feature off after using it.
