I know we've blathered on and on and on about all the features in our 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS, but here's another unexpected example of thoughtful design that most manufacturers don't bother with: When the front window is nearly closed, the motor slows down. Why is this a benefit? Sometimes I like to leave a little crack at the top on a hot day and this makes it easier than the typical full-speed-ahead rate of window closure.
I've only seen this on some high-end luxury cars, but, of course, I can't remember which one(s). Bentley? Mercedes-Benz? Lexus? Help me out here, please.
Chris Walton, Chief Road Test Editor @ 18,875 miles
adamb1 says:
12:19 PM, 02/17/11
Probably a safety item too. Helps avoid, lessen severity of pinches.
chriso59 says:
12:29 PM, 02/17/11
I know the latest Lexus RX350 does this...
firstwagon says:
12:31 PM, 02/17/11
My Jeep is doing this but I think it's a bad ground somewhere.
mercedesfan says:
12:37 PM, 02/17/11
I don't think Mercedes do this, but I'll check when I leave work today. I've never really paid attention to it.
cjsg35 says:
12:41 PM, 02/17/11
i always attributed that to bad window motors.... that the farther the window went up the more felt pad resistance it had and thus slowed down because the window motor was crummy / underpowered.... i never really thought of it as a safety option.... then again your rolling your window up and if your dumb enough to leave a body part in there oh well for u
typography says:
12:49 PM, 02/17/11
The Lexus LS460 does it. They said they added that feature so it would be quieter when the window closed.
cr_driver says:
04:38 PM, 02/17/11
This feature doesn`t tick my fancy.
apez says:
04:54 PM, 02/17/11
This is a Lexus feature; the current LS was the first model to do this, for noise control. Unlike this Kizashi, it slows down only right before it closes, not 2/3 of the way up.
apez says:
04:54 PM, 02/17/11
This is a Lexus feature; the current LS was the first model to do this, for noise control. Unlike this Kizashi, it slows down only right before it closes, not 2/3 of the way up.
kevm14 says:
06:24 PM, 02/17/11
That looks a lot like slow down caused by guide friction, even though it seems like it is a "feature" rather than a coincidence.
brn says:
07:16 PM, 02/17/11
It's interesting, but I don't understand why it's useful. Leaving a crack with my single speed power windows isn't all that tough.
cwerdna says:
07:33 PM, 02/17/11
Lexus HS 250h has this. I'd won a one week test drive of one before.
spencerkatz says:
12:45 PM, 02/18/11
My 2009 7 series does this
mtaylor3 says:
01:50 PM, 02/18/11
Probably not one of those features that's particularly useful, but it's one of the many things that make the Kizashi feel more expensive than it is.
tigerbangs54 says:
06:10 PM, 02/18/11
Now that you mentioned it, I had to go check it out today, and you are right: the windows DO slow when the reach the top. It's not mechanical friction, either, it appears deliberate.