Misting headlights on Evora 400

[IanPops]

When it rains or when I’ve washed the car combined with using the headlights results in misting of the lens.  It happens on both lights and significantly reduces the effectiveness of the lights. I don’t use the car much at night, although it is something that needs to be fixed

 

Just interested to see if others have experienced the same. I seem to recollect some threads for the S1 cars.

 

Ian

[Peegee355]

Me too  :-(

[Cdm2018]

My 2010 NA still mists although the dealer told me they sorted it still mists ?

i don’t drive at night so be a little nervy if it’s stoll misted ? I find that most disappeared after driving for 20 mins but I think it will return if there was downpour ?

[Colin P]

TADTS.

They All Do That Sir.

[agentdr8]

The headlights aren't sealed to be air-tight, so a certain amount of moisture in the air will cause them to mist or show condensation. Some have been successful in reducing this effect with some small silica packets placed in the housing, behind the bulb dust cap. Just make sure they aren't in constant contact with anything that can get really hot. 

 

[bingoking]

Characteristic of the car I’m afraid. 

[philcool]

They mist after washing my S2 as well as they are not sealed units 

[gregs24]

Completely normal in most cars, not just Lotus, to be honest.

[madmax]

Hopefully this might be useful to anyone experiencing headlamp misting on their Evora.

I'm not sure how long this potential solution will last, but one of my lights was misting quite badly with condensation.

This afternoon it seemed worse than ever so I filled an old fashioned rubber hot water bottle and placed it ribbed side down on the light unit - within 10 to 15 minutes the lens was totally clear and all the condensation seems to have vanished.

Worth a try if you're suffering similar issues.

[Escape]

Headlights misting up are common on a lot of cars. Usually newer/ higher end cars, older ones have plenty of ventilation as standard. The problem is the lights are not sealed well enough to keep al the water/ moisture out, but don't have enough ventilation to allow the moisture out again when the temperature changes. I found it helps if you leave the rear cover off, so the moist air can easily get out. But not sure if that is possible on the Evora. Basically anything you can do to improve ventilation will be a big help. I've even resorted to drilling a small hole in the housing of a Range Rover headlight to avoid the constant fogging up. Worked a charm, but not for the faint at heart. 🙂

[Cdm2018]

I wonder if those rice bags heated in microwave would work like hot water water ? My headlights misted since day one of ownership wish I had complained during warranty period 🤔

[madmax]

They may do although I know that they're often quite steamy and therefore damp themselves. They may not work as well as the dry bottle - worth a try.

Checking my car this morning the misting has still not reappeared so for me it's a fix of sorts and as @Escape suggests, maybe better ventilation is the key.

It looks unsightly but the car passed an MoT with no beam scatter so that's good enough.

[Cdm2018]

My car has passed 4 MOTs with the lights in this state so must be ok ? 

[C8RKH]

They al d it. My wife's brand new car did it on day 1, and that isn't a Lotus. As stated above, it's the nature of how they are made these days.

[Phaeton91]

My Evora does it and my brand new Megane did it too.  It was common when I put a note out on the RS forum and it was “normal” there too.  Good idea with the hot water bottles. That will certainly draw interest from the neighbours.