Thread: Opening Power Windows Without Power

There used to be a great $2 warehouse in the Mall in Geelong that had all sorts of stuff for sale including weird tools.

At one time they had 100's of 'emergency escape devices' in stock. These were essentially a solid cylindrical piece of steel about 120mm long with a 10mm long spike on one end.

They sold a few over time, then the entire stock was removed from the shelf.

The Mall was somewhat of a crime hotspot and I assume some people had realised that 'emergency escape devices' could also be used as a rapid entry device and the cops were onto it.

Years ago there were a number of incidents under the Dudley St Bridge in Melbourne, where it floods really quickly, where euro cars would conk out driving through the puddle and the drivers couldn't get out as the water rose to roof height or more. (electric windows, sunroof)

Seems nothing has changed.

DL

I reckon he didn't try to open the window with the button, probably was panicking that much never even thought about it.

I used to have one of those windpw breaking hammers in my P38A. I haven't fitted one to the L322 as I'm not sure where I could drill safely without damaging something vital.

I do wonder if one could kick a door window out of the frame. On earlier Subarus e.g., our '2005 Forester but not our current Forester, that would be possible as they had frameless windows (above the waistline).

Originally Posted by 101RRS

As some will know a young guy drowned in the NSW floods last week. He accidentally drove into flood waters and was not able to exit the vehicle and drowned. This got me thinking about how to open power windows when there is no power.

Now there are flood management issues associated with how the brand new Camry Hire car ended up in the water and that is not part of this discussion, however it would seem that the doors (I an guessing here - due to water pressure) could not be opened but with the vehicle in the water the power windows apparently could not be opened.

I know from personal experience that in most cases submerged batteries can still supply power and in fresh water many electrical functions in a car will still work, however in this case it seems that everything went dead and the guy who was a good swimmer could not get the doors or windows open.

So I wonder why cars do not have a "failsafe" means of opening windows without power from the inside. Yes I suppose all cars could come with those little hammers to break the glass but these can be of limited use if the glass has aftermark tinting and in an emergency could be hard to locate and use.

It would seem that ADRs are silent on this aspect of car safety.

I cannot see why something like the traditional old style manual handle could not be incorporated into each door that pulls out for use when required.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Garry

Would not have to be on all doors, maybe just the drivers ??

Originally Posted by Redback

I reckon he didn't try to open the window with the button, probably was panicking that much never even thought about it.

Maybe but initial reports from the rescue authorities was that there was no power to the windows with the car in the water. He was on the phone to 000 for just under a minute before the line dropped out so I would expect he would have been told to try the windows.

Just need to wait until water inside almost equals water outside and open the door (in theory)

Otherwise a glass break / rescue tool is worth every cent.

Tinting alters the equation a lot!

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Maybe but initial reports from the rescue authorities was that there was no power to the windows with the car in the water. He was on the phone to 000 for just under a minute before the line dropped out so I would expect he would have been told to try the windows.

I thought he was talking to 000 for 40 minutes before the line went dead. That's how it was reported on ABC radio.

DL

Originally Posted by Tombie

Just need to wait until water inside almost equals water outside and open the door (in theory)

Otherwise a glass break / rescue tool is worth every cent.

All difficult to do if you are in a hire car you probably have never driven before - if it had the rescue tool, try finding it as the car is sinking - I watched an episode of Myth Busters where they found the inside of the car has to be completely full of water before you can open the doors - panic would have well and truly set in by then.

I have completed a number of underwater escape sessions from aircraft rigs which were done in a pool with safety divers and that was frightening enough - let alone having just driven into cold muddy water with the car filling up and wondering if the door could open when the car is full and know you would be history if it didn't. It would be tough finding the glass breaking hammer in a car you have never been in - no the door should have a pull out handle to allow windows to be opened when there is no power - or maybe a water proof system with its own power in the door that allows windows to open.

I get frustrated in having to turn the ignition on to adjust the windows let alone if I was drowning and the windows cannot be opened.