This is the third winter I've had my Prius, and for some reason the windows are now starting to stick in cold weather (I believe mostly at the top weatherseal rubber stripping). Most people probably are not putting their windows down in cold winter weather, but I cross the CAN/US border regularly and have to put the windows down to talk to the customs agents. Anyhow, until the car thoroughly warms in the interior, the windows will not open - I can hear the motors straining to move them down... but no go 'til the car warms up. Has anyone else experienced this and/or have any tips or tricks to prevent it from happening???
Vaseline Intensive Care (tm) * Not just for back doors but car doors Seriously, put a lube on the black rubber around the window, to prevent water moisture there. However Vaseline, being petroleum based, I'm not sure how the rubber will react. Do a small test, or a non-petroleum product like K-Y. .
Thanks for the suggestion... sounds like a good idea. I personally don't keep vasoline around the house (not that there's anything wrong with that) and it's not something I really want to borrow from the neighbours.... but I'll check with the nearest automotive store for a weather and rubber friendly lubricant. Many thanks.
this has happpend to me in the past couple days, doesnt really effect me but if it did then i might try keeping my car in a garage or something if i could overnight
After every hand wash, I put silicon lubricant (a white liquid) on every rubber gasket. This is commonly sold at auto parts stores. All the gaskets are like new on my 1991 4Runner and continue to look excellent on the Prius. Makes a significant difference knowing windows and doors are not going to stick in subfreezing temperatures.
Due to the heavy frost of extreme alaskan winters, I had to unstick my driver's window almost every day. I found the culprit is the weastherstripping at the bottom of the window. By clawing it with my fingernails at the rearmost edge, then sliding my finger toward the front of the glass (similar to how a letter opens an envelope), I was able to usually unstick the entire length. I couldn't come up with a permanent solution which wouldn't slime the glass.
This just happened to me this weekend in my Jeep. Frozen from the bottom. I had a spray can of De-icer that I shot on it. I'm not sure it's good for the rubber but it worked.
I don't know if it will help with the freezing but we always used powdered graphite on stiff windows which is a fantasic dry lubricant. It won't damage your rubbers or glass and paint and stops sticking.
My former truck (06 f150) had strong enough motors to bust through built up ice of almost any thickness. The prius doesn't, so i just help it out with my hand. Idk what kind of harm this is doing, but i got to believe its better on the motor than just holding it or pressing it up and down until it jars free. Just a slight push down with the palm while pressing down on the switch seems to do quite nicely.
New Prius and frozen windows here in Vermont. Temps are down around 0F at night and my windows will not open. Where should I apply the silicon grease? To the top of the window (if I get it open) or on the strip along the bottom? Thanks!
Just point the drivers side air vent towards the window, set fan on medium, temp at about 68 to 70. In just a few minuted you will be able to lower your window.
Thanks I will try it tomorrow morning. The trick of running your finger along the outside bottom of the window worked but what a pain to do every time you need to open a window. The vent trick sounds better!
I have had a similiar situation with my Corolla in Florida, where its always HOT. The rubber fuses to the glass and the motors do not have sufficient torque to break the initial friction. Silicon Spray (sold in auto parts stores) works for me. Lower the window all the way and using the "straw" that comes with the can, follow the rubber all the way around the frame, wherever the glass makes contact. You can wipe off any overspray with a rag, but the silicon does not seem to leave a residue or get sticky. The window will now open smoothly and quietly. Repeat this treatment at the first sign of reoccurance. I did this on the first day I had my new Prius, to avoid the problem. Let us know how it works (or doesn't) in the cold!
EVERY time the temperature goes below 0c 32F, all 4 of my 2008 Prius windows are frozen completely shut. This is the second winter I've had the car, same thing. Dealer claims they've never heard of this problem and can't do anything about it??????
I second Silicone spray. LPS makes a nice one that is "food grade" (water is used as the carrier so there is no chance it will damage plastic). I use it on the door seals every year (wash car, wipe seals, spray, close door). The doors don't freeze shut. I've used it on windows as well. It's also good for the rubber, keeping it from drying out/oxidizing and cracking.
