Headlight condensation is this normal??‍♂️

[xingusx]

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[RickMachE]

Yes, that is normal. Been asked before. It's in your manual:

HEADLAMPS –
TROUBLESHOOTING
Headlamps – Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there condensation in the headlamps?
Headlamps have vents to accommodate normal changes in air pressure. Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal condensation occurs, a fine mist can form on the interior of the lens. The fine mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during normal operation.
How much condensation is acceptable?
The presence of a fine mist, for example no streaks, drip marks or large droplets. A fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.

How long may it take for the acceptable condensation to be cleared?
Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry weather conditions.

How much condensation is unacceptable?
A water puddle inside the lamp. Streaks, drip marks or large droplets present on the interior of the lens.

What should I do if unacceptable condensation is present?
Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

 

[xingusx]

Its a joke! Its +8c and no rain, i have had several new vehicles in my life, and NONE had leaking lamps as "feature", if it really is in my manual i will find it, the level of condensation in my lights is not acceptable in my opinion. Not seen it on a 10 years old car, was certainly not expecting it on a new one.

 

[heisnuts]

How long does it stay inside the lens? Meaning if you pull into a garage does the moisture go away after a little but?

 

[xingusx]

How long does it stay inside the lens? Meaning if you pull into a garage does the moisture go away after a little but?

I do not have a garage, the car is kept outside. Only bought it 4 days ago. Will keep an eye on it and see

 

[breeves002]

Its a joke! Its +8c and no rain, i have had several new vehicles in my life, and NONE had leaking lamps as "feature", if it really is in my manual i will find it, the level of condensation in my lights is not acceptable in my opinion. Not seen it on a 10 years old car, was certainly not expecting it on a new one.

My 2018 Porsche Cayman did this, both Mach E's, and several other vehicles. It wasn't a daily occurrence and usually cleared up by the next time I looked at the car.

 

[Motomax]

Its a joke! Its +8c and no rain, i have had several new vehicles in my life, and NONE had leaking lamps as "feature", if it really is in my manual i will find it, the level of condensation in my lights is not acceptable in my opinion. Not seen it on a 10 years old car, was certainly not expecting it on a new one.

The problem is that the LEDs don’t create much heat. Headlights Are vented, a change in temperature causes condensation. The issue is that it doesn’t get baked out with LEDs.
if you are seeing a puddle of water then your seal around the lens might be bad.

 

[Nklem]

Normal my premium lens is fogged like that today, -2F.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Its a joke! Its +8c and no rain, i have had several new vehicles in my life, and NONE had leaking lamps as "feature", if it really is in my manual i will find it, the level of condensation in my lights is not acceptable in my opinion. Not seen it on a 10 years old car, was certainly not expecting it on a new one.

Rain has nothing to do with this. Nothing.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Its a joke! Its +8c and no rain, i have had several new vehicles in my life, and NONE had leaking lamps as "feature", if it really is in my manual i will find it, the level of condensation in my lights is not acceptable in my opinion. Not seen it on a 10 years old car, was certainly not expecting it on a new one.

This is all about the specific humidity of the air and the low heat created by LEDs. Incandescent and halogen lights create so much heat, they steam it back out. Not so LEDs.

 

[Scooby24]

Headlamps aren't sealed as heat differences require relief. The relief will occasionally pull in outside air as the lamps cool (say a cold rainy morning after a warm day prior) and that air may be moist which creates this. It will usually work its way out over time.

 

[RickMachE]

The problem is that the LEDs don’t create much heat. Headlights Are vented, a change in temperature causes condensation. The issue is that it doesn’t get baked out with LEDs.
if you are seeing a puddle of water then your seal around the lens might be bad.

This is all about the specific humidity of the air and the low heat created by LEDs. Incandescent and halogen lights create so much heat, they steam it back out. Not so LEDs.

Since this existed back in 2010 with halogen bulbs, has nothing to do with LEDs (i.e. not saying LEDs don't dry out the headlight, just saying Ford has had condensation in headlights for over a decade, before LED headlights were used).

 

[RickMachE]

Not new to Ford anyway...

From the manual for my 2010 Fusion Hybrid. And this had halogen bulbs.

Lamp assembly condensation Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure. Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry weather conditions.

Examples of acceptable condensation are:
• Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets)
• Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens

Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp water leak) are:
• Water puddle inside the lamp Lights
• Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of the lens

Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of unacceptable moisture are present

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Vented headlights designed to reduce water accumulation are older than the original Mustang. These were not designed to prevent condensation but rather to prevent accumulation of moisture that could cause things like shorts and extreme temperature differentials.

An individual patented a vented, anti-condensation projecting lamp designed for automobiles as well as other uses in 1948, and they cited patents as far back as 1915. Honda filed for a US patent in 1967. Other headlight and vehicle manufacturers soon followed with patents of their own. In 1997, a heated (and chilled), vented headlight with a moisture sensor and with a range sensor was patented by Volkswagen. Companies have been re-inventing and using these for decades.

You can find a thousand online forums with people asking about condensation in their headlights from every year since internet forums became a thing. There's even a federal safety testing procedure designed to evaluate headlights to be sure they're not allowing too much moisture accumulation.

 

[Motomax]

Since this existed back in 2010 with halogen bulbs, has nothing to do with LEDs (i.e. not saying LEDs don't dry out the headlight, just saying Ford has had condensation in headlights for over a decade, before LED headlights were used).

Yes, that’s why I said “Headlights Are vented, a change in temperature causes condensation”-meaning all headlights. The issue is just compounded by the LEDs.

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