"Express-down" driver side power widow switch

[C1]

I will never understand the functional need for such a nuisance.

99% of the time a power window is not desired to be completely rolled down and way more often than not the window is unintentionally rolled down too much because of this switch's implementation.

What is the rationale for this as no one asked for or requires this extra complexity nuisance ?

Is it to assist/facilitate a possible window escape in the event of an accident (eg, car becomes water submerged)?

Just dont get it !

 

[Carson Dyle]

When I do want to roll the window the whole way down, I love it. Never found it to be nuisance in any way. Sounds like the switch designs you've encountered suck.

Toll booths and drive-thrus would be just a couple of examples where it's a lot nicer than having to lay on the switch the whole time.

 

[PeterScott]

Annoys me too. often want to lower both windows just an inch to put the top up/down, and the stupid sensitive switch puts them all the way down (express down on both sides).

 

[DaTT]

While sometimes when I want the window down just a bit, I sometimes press past the detent but it doesn't bother me. Auto Up is a far superior feature than auto down.

 

[frozentundra123456]

When I do want to roll the window the whole way down, I love it. Never found it to be nuisance in any way. Sounds like the switch designs you've encountered suck.

Toll booths and drive-thrus would be just a couple of examples where it's a lot nicer than having to lay on the switch the whole time.

Yea, I have contract parking at work. That means twice a day I have to swipe my card in front of the entrance switch. Very useful to just hold the button down briefly and have the window come all the way down. Never even thought of it as a problem. I suppose they could program it so you could disable the feature, but there are very few times I want it part way down.

 

[PeterScott]

While sometimes when I want the window down just a bit, I sometimes press past the detent but it doesn't bother me. Auto Up is a far superior feature than auto down.

If I had auto up, it wouldn't be so bad. But when I want to crack two windows an inch it puts them both all the way down, then I have to hold it the whole time to get both windows back up, it's a PITA. Though in the scheme of things it's a minor annoyance.

 

[frozentundra123456]

If I had auto up, it wouldn't be so bad. But when I want to crack two windows an inch it puts them both all the way down, then I have to hold it the whole time to get both windows back up, it's a PITA. Though in the scheme of things it's a minor annoyance.

Sounds like a strange system, or your switches arent working properly. In most systems, it only affects the driver side front window, and includes auto up/down. At least that has been my experience in the cars that I have had.

 

[DaTT]

Sounds like a strange system, or your switches arent working properly. In most systems, it only affects the driver side front window, and includes auto up/down. At least that has been my experience in the cars that I have had.

My current and last car had auto up/down on both windows.

 

[PeterScott]

Sounds like a strange system, or your switches arent working properly. In most systems, it only affects the driver side front window, and includes auto up/down. At least that has been my experience in the cars that I have had.

Some cars have both, some are only down, to limit the risk of catching a child/pet when the window is express-upping...

For whatever reason, mine only has express down.

 

[C1]

So does mine and all the cars I have been involved with (including rentals).

One of my issues is that power windows arent intended for extended use. Driver side power windows get the most use naturally and over the years, Ive had to replace motors & even regulators so I try to keep the running time off those systems.

With my current Corolla, there had been an issue with the window retaining bolts becoming unfastened with power window use with ultimately the glass falling off into the door well. Thus, I focused on keeping the window use down. Eventually there was a recall to replace the window bolts.


https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=4627791&page=1

General Motors gm is recalling 122,593 Pontiac Vibe passenger cars in the United States to fix bolts in the power window system that can become loose and lead to the window shattering.

Toyota tm said Wednesday it had received reports of 143 cases in which the bolts at the bottom of the power window assembly became loose, caused the window to rattle or led to the window breaking.


Take apart a power window system & you will see that the system is built for only intermittent operation. The motors are light gauge and when attempting to energize them at a limit stop a bi-metal thermal switch opens to protect the motor (armature/field windings) from quickly burning up.

 

[bruceb]

My Cadillac ATS also has Express Down and I love it. But sometimes, I only want the windows open just a bit and it is tricky to get it to the position I want it at sometimes.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I prefer the auto-down. If I want to crack the windows, I can either rock the switch (engaging up will cancel the down) or save the road noise, leave the windows closed, and crack the sunroof instead.

 

[pcgeek11]

Really? This is an issue?

 

[tsupersonic]

It's such a nice feature to have... The switch mechanism makes the difference. If you push past the point of resistance, it should go fully down. Anything above that point should just lower the windows till you let go of the switch. The one thing that grinds my gears is why do manufacturers do auto windows for the driver only, or the front windows? Why not all the windows?!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

It's such a nice feature to have... The switch mechanism makes the difference. If you push past the point of resistance, it should go fully down. Anything above that point should just lower the windows till you let go of the switch. The one thing that grinds my gears is why do manufacturers do auto windows for the driver only, or the front windows? Why not all the windows?!

$1 more per switch times 500,000 cars...

 

[mindless1]

If it bothers you that much you can probably rewire it. Generally the switch goes to the body computer which controls a relay, or solid state switching on more recent model years. Take the power straight to the window motor instead, or relay if the switch is a low current logic circuit. In other words wire it the same as the other windows.

They don't set up all windows like that because usually it's only the driver paying a toll, parking lot or some other drive thru where it comes in handy.

 

[corkyg]

Not in my car! I would like a switch that would disable all other seat's controls.

 

[dullard]

Auto-down is fantastic for many uses. ATMs. Parking garages, both entering and exiting. Drive-throughs, both ordering and getting your food. Car wash code entry. Etc. That way you can press it once, and continue driving with both hands as the window goes to the full down position that you probably need. Since many of these situations have a sharp corner and/or steep inclines at the same time that you need the window down (especially parking garages) having both hands free is quite helpful.

Sounds like it could be a PEBSWAC (problem exists between steering wheel and chair). To put the window down just an inch usually is either a lighter tap or a quick rock down/up motion. Try learning if your vehicle has an easy way to go down just an inch as all models that I've ever driven have a way to do that.

Auto-up, while nice, sounds like a severe safety hazard for children, pets, or handicapped people.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Auto-up, while nice, sounds like a severe safety hazard for children, pets, or handicapped people.

Where have you been? It's a big enough problem without auto-up.

https://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/power-windows/

Skimming that stuff, it looks like by slowing down the speed of window closing and implementing a window auto-reverse they avoid most of that.

 

[dullard]

Skimming that stuff, it looks like by slowing down the speed of window closing and implementing a window auto-reverse they avoid most of that.

I'm a product designer and I prefer the fail-safe philosophy. When something goes wrong (something will always go wrong somewhere), I want it to go wrong in a way that is safe. A failed auto-reverse is not safe. It doesn't mean that we can't have auto-up. But, to me, the benefit of saving a few seconds on your finger is just too small compared to the risk even with some hardware mitigations.

 

[KeithP]

What is the rationale for this as no one asked for or requires this extra complexity nuisance ?

I love this feature. My car has it on both front windows. If you are unable to use the feature correctly maybe you should look into a combination of physical therapy and mental agility training?

-KeithP

 

[frozentundra123456]

It seems to me that the risks of auto-up would be very, very low and only possible for extreme driver stupidity for a driver side only system. They only operate when the car is running, and no driver should leave a child in a running car unattended, or allow him to what, sit on his lap or something, to get his head in the driver side window.

I do see a bigger hazard for systems that auto-up both front or all four windows. A child or pet could much easier get into those windows without the driver being aware of it. Although again, for driver up on both fronts, there should be no small children in the front passenger seat.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Not in my car! I would like a switch that would disable all other seat's controls.

I think most have that. There is a lockout button that prevents the other windows being opened when it is engaged.

 

[corkyg]

You are right - I do have that. And, I keep it locked.

 

[Midwayman]

I love the auto up and down. If my side windows are open its full up or down. If I want just a crack, that's what the sunroof is for. (And it has auto open and close too.)