Frozen windows - '08+ G coupe

[audtatious]

So, you are not supposed to operate the doors in the coupe if the automatic adjusting function (auto down and up when opening and closing doors) is not working as it can cause damage to the "side roof panel". What do you do when the windows are frozen and won't roll down when you open the car? I have this problem all the time in the winter and would like to hear what others do to ensure this does not happen.

[zozoka1212]

My car is in the garage most of the time. However at work it happenes. When the weather is that crapy I just get out earlier and start up the car. 5 minutes. My routine is to get in the car. Hit start turn the defrost on the rear window. Turn the heat to manuall and to the windshield and the highest temperature with the highest setting on the fan speed. Lock the door.

Than I go back and make sure all the doors are locked and set the alarm. Get back to the car and fly home.

Sometimes I run late and just turned the car on like a minute before than I just scrape it as much as I can. I actually used to be bad and no matter what rolled it down. I wasn't holding it down or anything but rocking it back and forth sometimes. I figured I have warranty. Not planning to keep it longer than that. In the 07+ sedans the motors are so fricken powerful. I had many other cars but non felt this powerful and fast. LOL

Is this happening that often there? For me it maybe happened 2 times this winter when we got freezing rain. Tis winter isn't really winter. We had snow and all melted a week ago. Now it is snowing again.

Or it is frozen when it doesn't rain also?

My Saab did it like that. I just tried to open and close few times and thought if the motor has to go than oh well warranty here I come. But I never had any porblem with any of my cars window motor.

[audtatious]

You don't have the same problem as I am speaking of. The sedan has a window frame whereas the coupe does not. In the coupe, when you open the door the window is supposed to drop down appx 1/2" and stay down until the door is closed. When frozen the window won't drop which can cause damage.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

hmmm, I can see that being a problem, i know what you mean now.

You could wash it with winter windshield washer, maybe in a spray bottle, but you'll have dripping moisture down your door, and potentially inside the door...

It's a design flaw as far as I can see, especially in sub zero temps.

[zozoka1212]

Ok Got it. That sucks. I actually never liked those doors.

Only suggestion I can give you than to keep it in garage or not use it at winter or move south. I actually would trade it in for another sedan. Maybe for an X. LOL

Sorry Matt I just being a jerk.

Hope somebody will have some sight.

[audtatious]

I already have a sedan, it's weak sauce

[pwlorraine]

This is a problem on verts as well - I've seen it on Audi and BMW verts but not my g37 yet. I had this happen on my e36 vert once after going through a touchless car wash in *very* cold temps - it froze as soon as I got out and didn't thaw until I got into the garage at home. I could imagine a pressurized car wash forcing water under the window seals.

On an A5 it gives you a "door not closed" message if the window is frozen up although the door physically latches. Car is still drivable although the top won't drop. The rationale I used to hear for this quick drop then raise on the window was to prevent damage from the strong seal and air pressure build up as you slam the door. The air pressure build up was what the design was to avoid rather than the mechanical contact with the seal or car frame. If I could close the door gradually and latch it I'd consider the matter closed on that occasion.

I'm sure you've done the obvious, cleaning up the outside and the area around the seal. Possibly you've got some moisture inside the door on the other side of the seal that's freezing. If I had to get the door open to dry it out, I'd first check to see if the dealer would be willing to do it as a warantee repair. Lots of moisture getting inside the door sounds like something that needs to be repaired.

The windshield fluid approach sounds "plausible" to me - wash it down, open and close it a few times .

To prevent water intrusion I'd look at the condition of the rubber seals. On BMW's we'd use something called "Gummifledge" which you can find on line. Its a rubber "conditioner" - smells like citrus - that you apply periodically to the rubber to keep it pliable and plump. We'd apply it to the convertible seals, but also window and door rubber seals as well.

[audtatious]

I'm wondering at this point if using rainX or something to "slick down" the window would work. I can use something like a credit card to slide between the rubber and window but that does not help by the A pillar where the tweeter is. Closing the door with the window "stuck" does cause a slapping sound, but no damage that I have seen.

I finally have the garage setup to accept the car but that does not help when I have to travel and the window freezes up while I'm working. I also don't want to make a habit of pouring washer fluid into the door

[zozoka1212]

RainX is water based if I remember correctly. So in theory that wouldn't help.

I would look into some sealers or conditioners silicone based. As pwlorraine suggested. Hack maybe car wax would help too.

Rubb it with candle. The wax from candle is rubber/silicone friendly.

BTW vaseline isn't good. LOL That degrades the rubber. That's the reason you can not re-use the condom when you use vaseline too.
LOL
Oh BTW the seals what most manufacturers using is EPDM rubber. Ethylene propilene(propylene? ) diene monomer. Will degrade with petroleum based anything.


Also watch what you use make sure the seal won't fade. Some plastic and rubber I believe EPDM can fade to some chemicals in sealers. Plastic has tendency to fade lot easier then rubber.
But I am not an expert just like to point out things.

[audtatious]

Maybe I'll get a 110v converter and carry a hair dryer with me

[smockers83]

What about a thin layer of Crisco or something? I've never tried it but I've tried to open many a frozen door (fortunately not mine) and have always wondered if something like Crisco or Pam would help prevent it. Be my test subject and try it!

[audtatious]

Uhm....I don't think I want that smeared all over my windows

[pwlorraine]

What about a thin layer of Crisco or something? I've never tried it but I've tried to open many a frozen door (fortunately not mine) and have always wondered if something like Crisco or Pam would help prevent it. Be my test subject and try it!

There were two key messages from the BMW forums - no vegetable oils (temperature range issues) and no silicone oils (can't remember why).


Peter

[DRO@G37]

There were two key messages from the BMW forums - no vegetable oils (temperature range issues) and no silicone oils (can't remember why).


Peter

BMW FORUM? ...they have bigger fish to fry then windows, like THIER FUEL PUMPS! ....
BTW: srry about your windows bro...Hmmmm..Car cover?

[curtiscr87]

Go to your local autostore (autozone/advanced) and buy de-icer i have the same problem with my 04 coupe and i spray around the window and make sure i get all around it then it works like a charm