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Power Windows Pose Risk, Says Consumer Group

New York Times -- A group wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require automakers to equip all power windows with an auto-reverse feature.

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Submitted Nov 03, 2009 By: naistaff

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PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:4,544 Points:854,760 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 5:47:00 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse A lot of cars has a lock out so kids can't open or close the windows.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:31,948 Points:1,292,545 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 10:36:21 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse The risk is much less for Japanese-style power windows where you have to pull up on the switch to raise the windows. In October 2010, "pull up to raise" will be the law for all vehicles. My Scion has "auto-down" but not "auto-up" so you have to keep pulling on the switch to close the window. IMHO, should be safe unless you're closing the window without watching what you're doing.
i4runner Veteran Author Orlando Posts:278 Points:56,710 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 8:32:15 AM Ignore i4runner Report Abuse My car is a 99 and has them. They do not run all the way down but if they hit something they back off a few inches.
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:5,530 Points:929,670 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 1:10:44 AM Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse Auto-reverse would be very difficult to design for colder climates, like Canada. What if some ice gets stuck somewhere along the window track. Will that force the window to open?
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,705 Points:519,465 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 11:42:33 PM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse Living poses risks.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:2,475 Points:578,175 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 11:08:47 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse The very few children have been killed with power windows, an auto-reverse is a good idea like what they have been garage door openers. However, garage doors are much larger than a car window. Another idea would be for automobile manufacturers to have a delete option for power windows so that parents who are worried that their children might become entrapped can buy a car without them. Nothing wrong with manually operated windows.
naistaff Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,078 Points:324,780 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 10:38:01 PM Ignore naistaff Report Abuse It is nice to see that others agree that solving this risk is an overkill. How do we prevent people from getting their fingers caught when closing the car door? Move your hand. So don't stick your head out the window.
fordmexico Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,137 Points:180,425 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 10:03:02 PM Ignore fordmexico Report Abuse I agree, it seems like overkill, unless, you were the parent of one the kids killed.
DonKofAK Veteran Author Anchorage Posts:496 Points:298,710 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 8:59:42 PM Ignore DonKofAK Report Abuse An auto-reverse for car windows seems a bit much to me, even after reading the article. It's like requiring a safety bar across the picture window in my house because there's a risk I might fall through it in a drunken stupor... and I don't drink alcohol because I'm allergic to it.
dkinsf Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,367 Points:669,085 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 8:53:17 PM Ignore dkinsf Report Abuse We cannot make the world safe for everyone. All we can do is to create more opportunities for lawyers to make money.
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,094 Points:1,145,075 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 7:19:56 PM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse the safety nazi's are at it again. here's tip, keep your head out of the window while it's going up.