How to instantly lower your car windows with the key remote

c|net.com ^ | 9-4-12 | By Ed Rhee

[rawhide]

The temperature inside your car can get insanely hot on sunny days, regardless of the temperature outside. When you get to your car and it's boiling hot, what's the first thing you do? You lower the windows and blast the air conditioner, right?

A convenient feature that's been around for years, but remains unknown to many car owners, is the ability to lower the windows with the key remote. This allows you to begin cooling your car without having to get in first. Unless the car dealership told you about this trick or you happen to read manuals for fun, you may have been unaware of this ages-old trick.

The trick usually involves pressing the remote's unlock button, releasing it, then pressing it again and holding it down. In some cars, instead of using the remote, you can insert your key in the door lock and turn it clockwise, release, then turn it clockwise again and hold. Turning the key counterclockwise will usually raise the windows back up. Some cars will also include the sunroof as a window in this operation, while some convertibles with automatic tops will shut.

Based on an internal CNET poll, we've confirmed that the trick works on various models from the following manufacturers:

Acura (MDX/TL/TSX)

Alfa Romeo (159)

Audi (A3/A4/A6/A7)

BMW (3 Series/5 Series/7 Series/M5/Z4)

Chevrolet (Corvette)

Chrysler (Sebring/Town & Country)

Dodge (Challenger/Charger/Durango/Journey/Ram)

Ford (C-Max/F-150/Focus/Fusion/Mondeo/S-Max/Taurus)

Honda (Accord/Accord Crosstour/Odyssey/Pilot/Ridgeline)

Infiniti (G25x/G35/G37/I30/I35/M35)

Jaguar (S Type/XJ8/XK8)

Lexus (ES300/GS350/RX300/RX350/RX400h)

Lincoln (LS/MKX/MKZ/Zephyr)

Mazda (6/CX-9/MX-5 Miata)

Mercedes-Benz(B180/C240/C300/CLK350/CLS550/E350/E500/ML550)

Mini Cooper (Clubman)

Nissan (350Z/Altima/Maxima/Murano/Titan)

Volkswagen (Beetle/Golf/Jetta/Passat)

Volvo (C30/V50)

[jessduntno]

“Yeah I’m “special” alright.”

Awwwwww...c’mon Creek...you know it’s twue what they say...

[BallparkBoys]

for posterity sake

[NonValueAdded]

you too?

[a fool in paradise]

It's also a way to "test" your car if AFL-CIO/SEIU/NEA union goons have tampered with it.

[cyclotic]

Well, it doesn’t work on a Pontiac Vibe

[FrdmLvr]

When is a door not a door?

When it's ajar.

[blueunicorn6]

I tried this and the littlest dog rolled over. I pushed the button again, and he bit me.

[Last Dakotan]

That’s because nothing works on a Pontiac.

[Bullish]

Yes batteries, usually aaa-batteries.

[COUNTrecount]

I hope Barry doesn’t hear about this, he’ll claim that he saved the window industry.

[Revolting cat!]

The problem is that the remote is not screwed together but more or less sealed plastic.

[cyclotic]

Well, let’s see, I bought it 2.5 years ago with 145,000 miles. Since then, I’ve had many major repairs. Let’s see, a set of front brakes, tires and a resistor for the heater fan. I’ve got 210,000 miles so far. A buddy of mine, a GM engineer took it for a ride the other day and had a huge smile on his face when he came back.

My Pontiac Montana has 90,000 miles. Hmmm, brakes, tires. I’m sensing a pattern. Both 2006 models

I’m no fan of Government Motors but the pre-GM GM are supreme quality.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I prefer to rely on my infallible intuition.

[Lurker]

I’ll try this on our Hyundais. Thanks.

Yea, Clan Lurker drives Hyundais. They are great cars.

[One Name]

These folks have some new-fangled sh_t...

None of my winders have a mind of their own. Wife and daughter have some of that devilish crap..

Picked up a ‘28 dodge truck over the weekend. Think somone already got the driver’s side with some buckshot.

[smokingfrog]

My Mazda remote is not so simple. I think it was designed by the Rubik’s cube guy.

[airborne]

bookmark for tomorrow

[Libloather]

Chevrolet (Corvette)

I'll let you know how it works - as soon as I get one.

[BraveMan]

Batteries Plus. They’ll identify the battery, change it and test it to make sure it works (provided you bring the correct vehicle).

Slightly pricier than the internet. Worth every dime . . .

[Revolting cat!]

Thanks.