You guys know how sometimes the windows freeze to the insulation on the door overnight from freezing rain turning to ice on the car? Will this damage the auto window motor? You know, when you open the door and the window tries to roll down the usual ~1/4-1/2"?

 

I wouldn't worry about the motor...they are normally protected from stalling and will shut down. I would, however, worry about the window. Since the window might not drop to clear the roof, be very careful opening the doors. Actually, I always keep an empty milk jug handy for the freezing rain stuff. Just fill it with the hottest tap water you can get, then pour it in the area where the window meets the trim. This also works great for the "lazy man's" way of de-icing windows!

 

I don't know how many times I've heard people pouring hot water on auto glass in the freezing temperates of winter and then wonder why the "tempered glass" breaks. Seen it many times in my years.

 

yeah, be careful with archman's lazy man method...have you ever seen tempered glass explode--NOT A PRETTY SITE !

 

Yeah, guess I should have been more specific: make sure not to douse the water onto the glass. Apply it in a small stream to slowly melt the ice. Also, use hot tap water, NOT boiling water. Tap water (140F) and ice (32F) average out to 86F, so it's not too bad of a thermal shock. If you're worried about it, you can use lukewarm water.

I've had to use this method several times after a freezing rain came through in order to get the doors/trunk open. I have yet to have a window crack.

 

mmmm..

Will the window actually hit the roof if the glass doesn't lower? Anyone ever try?

 

it wont be a problem; just not ideal. it might catch slightly but only on the rubber seal, not the metal. youll be ok.

 

I wouldn't be too sure about that ... the first time it happened to me it completely freaked me out because it sounded like a seatbelt or something metal was caught between the door and the frame as it was closing. Upon closer examination, I realized that the sound was coming from the glass of the window [barely] hitting the metal lip above the rubber seal. It didn't appear to do any damage, but the glass definately hit the metal. I live in Minnesota, and although I don't drive my Z during any less-than-perfect road conditions ... this winter has been pretty mild and I've had the opportunity to drive her a few times so far. I've just gotten in the habit of gently pressing down in the center of the window to make sure that it goes down. If it doesn't budge, I roll the window down all the way, shut the door, reach in, roll up the window, and quickly pull my hand back out. It's not the most fun experience ... but that's what I get for washing my car in Minnesota in the winter.

Does anyone else have any ideas/suggestions?

 

My windows almoust never go down in winter... And the doors always close perfectly well without window moving at all... I wonder why I had to pay for that fancy feature wich doesn't work in winter and everything is fine without it...

 

Mine slams too. There seems to be a slight overhang of the roof over the window line. Sucks, noise is downright scary when you hit it and it can take a while to defrost, but so far, no scratches.

Kinda wished they would've designed this a little differently, i.e. no overhang. Then again, if Vlad doesn't hit his window, my door could be a little misaligned (though it seems to shut ok?). Haven't tried the passenger side and don't really want to either...