Power windows on your car are considered a standard and extremely useful item. After all, how else are you going to see out of the passenger window on those winter mornings?

Unfortunately power windows are part of the electrical system and have several moving parts. They can go wrong and they frequently do at the most inopportune moment.

The problem can simply be parts aging and wearing out. But, sometimes the issue is actually a lack of maintenance. If your electric window is already broken, then you need a reputable automotive window specialist; they can assist you with the right parts and repairing your window.

If it hasn’t broken yet then you should try the following maintenance procedure, it will extend the life of your electric windows:

Lubricate The Window Run

If you wind your window all the way to the bottom the rubber on each side of the window will gently move with the window; exposing the gap where the window slides through.

This gives you the opportunity to lubricate all the moving parts. Simply use a silicon spray and spray it liberally inside the run. You want to aim it in all directions to ensure it gets all the moving parts.

You should do this every 3 months. The dryer and hotter your weather the more often it will need doing.

Once you’ve sprayed the lubrication leave it for 30 seconds before bringing the window up and back down several times: this will make sure all the parts are coated in the silicone spray.

The Rubber Seals

Your window is held in position with rubber seals; these help to guide the glass inside the door and back out without scratching the glass.

Unfortunately these rubber seals are subject to the wind, rain, sun and road dirt. They can quickly dry out and even capture small pieces of grit that can damage your window or the mechanism.

To prevent this you’ll need to wind your window right down again. Now take a clean cloth and add a little lithium grease. Slide this along the rubber, coating it completely.

You’ll need to leave it for approximately 5 minutes to fully absorb before winding your window back up.

Don’t forget to do the sides and top rubber seals as well; this will ensure they last as long as possible and stay looking good. Dried out seals will start to peel off and crack.

Again you should repeat this every 3 months.

Other Concerns

If your window is sticking then the above options should help. However, if you try this and find it makes no difference it is possible that your window motor is starting to wear out. You’ll need to decide whether you want to take the door panel apart yourself to look at the motor or whether you should seek expert help.

The motor works hard to move the window up and down but it can be strained when you try to open the window in icy conditions or keep trying to close it when the window is already closed. The less you strain the motor the longer it will last.