Manual Versus Automatic Automobile Windows: Pros, Cons & Care

While many automobiles on the market today are equipped with power windows, some auto manufacturers still offer a manual window option. Before you purchase your next automobile, read on to learn about the unique advantages and disadvantages of each window type and how to care for these side windows. 

Power Window Pros and Cons

Let’s start by going over power windows.

Power Window Advantages

First, since power windows are operated with the simple press of a button, they are easier and more convenient to open and close, especially when a driver or passenger has limited hand mobility. 

In addition, a driver can typically operate all four automatic side vehicle windows with a control panel located on the driver side door, so they do not have to get into the back seat to open or close back windows manually. 

Finally, most vehicles equipped with power windows have a child lock feature that allows the driver to disable the operation of rear windows when small children are in the car to help keep children safe. 

Automatic Window Disadvantages

Unlike manual windows, most power windows can only be operated when the vehicle is running. For this reason, if you forget to close your vehicle power windows before you turn off your vehicle engine, you must often restart the vehicle to close the windows. 

In addition, several power window accidents involving children have occurred. Most of these accidents happened when children's body parts became entrapped in automatic windows while they were closing.

However, this accident type can be prevented by engaging the child lock feature when children are in the vehicle back seat, and while not yet required by law, some auto manufacturers are equipping their automatic vehicle windows with an automatic reversing feature that triggers a window to stop closing when an obstruction, such as a child's arm, is detected in the window closing path. 

Manual Window Pros and Cons

Now let’s take a look at manual windows.

Manual Window Advantages

First, since the operation of manual automobile windows does not electricity that your battery provides to operate, you can open and close the windows when your key is out of the ignition and these windows can even be opened and closed when your vehicle has a dead battery. 

In addition, while the operation of back windows cannot be halted with the simple push of a button when small children are in the back seat of a vehicle with manual windows, windows with crank mechanisms are much more difficult to accidentally raise when a child's head or other body part is inside of the window opening. 

Another manual window benefit is the fact that this window type does not rely on a motor or electronic components to open as a power window does. While these components may make window operation easier, they are prone to malfunctioning or even failing over time, which can warrant the need for costly automatic window repairs. 

Manual Window Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of this window type is that some drivers find operating all vehicle side windows with cranks less convenient. However, some parents also dislike the fact that they cannot control or disable manual rear vehicle windows when their children are in the back seat. 

Care for Both Window Types

No matter what automobile side window type you choose, you can help keep your vehicle windows in good condition longer by caring for them properly. 

Window Assembly Maintenance

Automatic windows need maintenance to prevent premature motor failure, pulley and cable wear-and-tear, and window regulator failure. To help extend the life of all automatic window components, do not allow children to play with the windows and avoid opening and closing windows more often than necessary to reduce wear and tear over the years.

Also, grease the window regulator and lubricate window tracks on a regular basis to encourage smooth regulator and motor operation. 

While less prone to mechanical problems, you can also encourage your manual window assembly to function smoothly for years by lubricating assembly components, including tracks, on an occasional basis. 

Auto Glass Care

You should also take steps to keep your side window glass in good condition to avoid the need for auto glass replacement or spontaneous glass breakage while you are driving. 

Have all small chips and cracks that develop in window glass repaired as soon as you notice them before this damage spreads and further jeopardizes the integrity of the glass. 

In addition, if one of your side window glass panes falls into a door panel, do not panic. This typically occurs when the glass pane falls off the door assembly track. Take your vehicle to an auto glass expert who can reattach your window glass to your automatic or manual door assembly track and recommend any window assembly repairs that may be needed to keep your glass pane from falling off the track again in the future. 

Both automatic and manual side automobile windows have unique advantages and disadvantages. However, when you care for window types properly, you can extend the window component lifespan and prevent the need for unnecessary repairs. Contact the auto glass repair experts at MS Glass Outlet for all of your automobile window repair and replacement needs today.