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GasBuddy News Article

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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

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:47:00 PM

A lot of cars has a lock out so kids can't open or close the windows.
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Sneakers55
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 9:36:21 AM

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.
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i4runner
Veteran Author Orlando

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 7:32:15 AM

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.
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Mooseman1
Champion Author Manitoba

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 12:10:44 AM

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?

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Bussman
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 10:42:33 PM

Living poses risks.
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alterman156
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 10:08:47 PM

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.
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naistaff
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 9:38:01 PM

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.
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fordmexico
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 9:03:02 PM

I agree, it seems like overkill, unless, you were the parent of one the kids killed.
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DonKofAK
All-Star Author Anchorage

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Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 7:59:42 PM

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.
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dkinsf
Champion Author San Jose

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Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 7:53:17 PM

We cannot make the world safe for everyone. All we can do is to create more opportunities for lawyers to make money.
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DerHahn
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Nov 3, 2009 6:19:56 PM

the safety nazi's are at it again. here's tip, keep your head out of the window while it's going up.
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