# Cars w/power and manual windows?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 26, 2003, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012 "2003-01-26T07:34:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/1 "2003-01-26T07:34:09Z")
Another trivially important question: Was there ever a car with both power and manual windows? This was an issue raised on Nick@Nite. And, supposedly, people wrote in claims that such an option was offered! Did people want a back-up method to open the windows, such as when the key was removed from the ignition?
Looking for a car buff…
- Jinx
---
### Author:  [@Mikahw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikahw)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/2 "2003-01-26T07:39:47Z")
My Dad’s '68 Olds Ninety-Eight has the four main windows powered, and two wing windows at the front with cranks.
Don’t know of any cars that have auto and manual on the same window, though.
---
### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/3 "2003-01-26T15:33:11Z")
My Porsche 911SC had power windows and a power sunroof. There were no cranks on the window, but there was a hidden crank that could be used to manually operate the sunroof in case of a failure.
---
### Author:  [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/4 "2003-01-26T16:04:31Z")
Peugot. For the little I know about them, they came with an auxiliary crank to roll the windows up/down when the power stoped. Smart idea. Wish all cars had this.
---
### Author:  [@bcullman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bcullman)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/5 "2003-01-26T17:26:24Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Booker57 \*
> \*\*Peugot. For the little I know about them, they came with an auxiliary crank to roll the windows up/down when the power stoped. Smart idea. Wish all cars had this. \*\*
Why? All cars have batteries. Why not wish that the windows operated even when the key was out of the ignition? (A few car makers, I think volkswagen and jeep do this).
If you say nexy, “Well, what if my battery is dead?” you’d have a bigger problem on your hand than operating your window. 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/6 "2003-01-26T17:50:40Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Why not wish that the windows operated even when the key was out of the ignition? (A few car makers, I think volkswagen and jeep do this).
Not my Jeep. I haven’t tried it recently, but IIRC one key setting will allow the windows to be raised and another will allow the windows to be raised or lowered. I’ll have to experiment next time I drive it. FWIW, I did try Thursday to raise a window with the key in the wrong position, and it didn’t work.
One reason I can think of to _not_ have windows that operate without having the key in the ignition is that they’d be too easy to break into. If you could stick a stiff wire through the door seal and reach the window operating toggle, you could lower the window and get in. Of course, any determined thief will get in no matter what you do; but why make one more vulnerable point?
---
### Author:  [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/7 "2003-01-26T19:10:22Z")
I have seen ex-police cars which had power windows in the front and crank windows (retrofit) in the rear.
---
### Author:  [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/8 "2003-01-26T19:32:18Z")
I _think_ the Citroen, talked about in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=158613&highlight=police), had both.
Peace,
mangeorge
---
### Author:  [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/9 "2003-01-26T19:32:36Z")
The argument for having a crank of some sort on a car with power windows is usually that if you crash into water and you lose your battery, you can’t roll down the window to get out. You have to wait until the car fills up enough with water that you can push the door open.
---
### Author:  [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/10 "2003-01-26T19:39:35Z")
the [one-way](http://www.lifehammer.com/) crank will open windows, but not close them.
---
### Author:  [@Chris\_Luongo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chris_Luongo)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2003, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cars-w-power-and-manual-windows/151012/11 "2003-01-27T00:29:54Z")
My '82 Grand Prix Brougham had a power moonroof, and a feature similar to what Johnny L.A. mentions: If there were a power failure, you’d pop out a little cap in the headlinder, insert this wrench that was included in the glove compartment, and crank the roof shut. My mother’s '90 Accord has this too.
I work for a mobile electronics shop that does subcontract work for area car dealers. Occasionally, we get called to install aftermarket power windows. We use SPAL kits, made in Italy, which come with an emergency crank. From their website, www.spal-usa.com :
“The Deluxe Power Window Kit offers a stronger and quieter motor with an emergency handle to roll-up your windows in case of a power failure.”
Also, four-door models of all years of the Dodge/Plymouth Neon, which is from 1995 to present, cannot be had with power rear windows. You get optional power fronts, and manual rears in all cases.