Side windows freezing in the cold and not going down

Hi,

I am having my side windows freezing shut with even the slightest of frosts. Never had any issues with my old 4 runners but this new 2022 has problems practically every day now. It works after the vehicle warms up for awhile and sometimes I can get them unstuck if I run the switch up and down a bunch of times but I obviously don't want to break anything. I can understand if there was a thick layer of ice or frost but it seems that the window motors are much weaker than my last ones.

Any suggestions? Anyone else in the north country with the same issues? I was debating putting some silicone spray on the rubber gasket as the windows enter into the door but didn't want to make a mess of things.

 

You could be suffering from very well fitted window seals which effectively act like a doorstop with the windows. I bet the problem will go away as your truck gets older.

Regardless of how your previous vehicles worked, you really shouldn’t be driving or attempting to open the windows without removing the ice yourself with a scraper or thawing it with the heater.

It’s a pain in the ass, but it’s one of the joys of living in cold weather.

 

I have used silicone type spray on the seals before, I think it was the door seals as they froze up on me many times. I don't remember exactly what it was, as I lived in Northern Maine then.

 

You hit the nail on the head. Even for windows, silicone allows your window motors to last almost indefinitely. It cuts down on resistance and allows the motors to go significantly longer.

 

No, I fully understand about driving or attempting to open the windows when there is visible frost ... makes perfect sense. I have lived in the north country for over 50 years. I have had this happen when the windows were perfectly visibly clear ... no visible frost and nothing showing even on the rubber gasket, but they were still froze up until the interior warmed up more. If there is no visible frost to scrape, I would prefer that I would be able to open the window when needed.

And I have had the doors freeze up in the past for the same reason. I will try the suggested silicone. I assume that just pulling the seal back and wiping a bit on the inside face of the rubber won't get it all over the window? Is there a better way to apply it?

 

you can put painters tape on the edges of the gap and then spray in using a Q-tip to work it in.as long as the edges get the silicone it will work in as you open and close it a few times.

 

great suggestions ... I will give them a try.

 

I think I had a can with the hose, but maybe spray on a paper towel and wipe it.

 

Sounds like a Doctor LandCruiser nailed it !

 

I noticed that my 2019 suffers from the same issue. But, I rarely need to roll down the windows before the vehicle warms up, so ignored it.

My prior vehicle had the same issue, and I was a smoker then, so I would just leave the window cracked a tiny bit. Not enough for moisture to get in, but enough so it wasn't fully seating in the channel. Worked like a charm.

 

Hello JL-2022, just wondering if the silicone trick worked for you? I am experiencing the same issue with my 2023 4R Limited. I live in Northern Ontario, Canada and keep the vehicle in an unheated garage. There is no frost on the vehicle but I find the windows still stick when the temperature falls below -15°C.

 

Maybe this or similar? I've used it on windows, paint, rubber, etc. Easy and slick.

https://www.carguysdetail.com/collections/premium-series/products/hybrid-wax

 

I'll try that. Thank you jgalt.

 

Yep! Caution though, use very little, as it will smear otherwise. This stuff goes a long way and more is not better.

 

Make sure the channel is clean of all dust and debris before putting the silicone on.

Roll down the window, spray some silicone on a rag/shop towel and apply to the window seal along the entire perimeter and give a good spray at the bottom corners in order to get the silicone to slowly drain down the part of the seal in the door frame.

 

Perfect! Thanks you both for the suggestions.

 

ShinEtsu Silicone grease. Great stuff to have in the tool chest.

 

Silicone on paper towel, work into mating surfaces. Same for door seals.

 

My 2018 is no different. I recently used a little silicone grease on my finger around the seal and did a quick wipe. It seemed to do the trick.

 

I bought some DuPont silicone spray off Amazon for just this. Did the trick and no issues now. I used the tip to spray down all the windows left and rights seals. Including the back window.

 

Glad I read this a few days ago before the morning temps hit -10F-15F in northeastern Taxinois. Working at 6am at a gated parking area, I knew my 2023 window most likely wouldn't go down after reading this thread, but I tried anyway. Nope. Ol' open the door. Oh well. Lesson learned. Will get the silicon.

 

Just before winter set in I always coated the side windows with Rain-X. That seemed to make a difference. The only issue with Rain-X is that if you start to use it, you have to keep using it. I think the silicone is probably a better idea. Thanks.

 

I think someone else may have mentioned this already, but until I can get some silicone I've been leaving my windows down just slightly (1/16") and that has allowed me to roll down my windows immediately upon starting the vehicle. Since I garage my 4R there is no issue with moisture getting into the vehicle. Good option for those that only infrequently have this issue.

 

This. Once you get use to things slipping off your glass like a butter cube on a hot skillet, you never go back.

 

Can you list your source that silicone will damage these seals?