# Drivers' Side Window **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 4, 2001, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-side-window/67543 "2001-06-04T17:43:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_Coleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dfb087/32.png) [@Paul\_Coleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_Coleman)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2001, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-side-window/67543/1 "2001-06-04T17:43:13Z")
Why does the “auto” button on the drivers’ side window of most cars with electric power windows go all the way down after a single touch, but not all the way up in a similar fashion? Would not the convenience and safety afforded by the down function be equally effective on the way back up? Why should I have to take my hands of off the steering wheel for a prolonged period to do my window back up, but not to lower it in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/779978/32.png) [@Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zumba_The_Cat)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2001, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-side-window/67543/2 "2001-06-04T17:48:58Z")
Maybe someone is sticking their head or hand in your window and you accidently hit the window up button. Wouldn’t you rather have it stop? I know this is a stupid example, but I think that you need more control over the rolling up of the window for safety reasons. Just a guess. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2001, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-side-window/67543/3 "2001-06-04T19:39:21Z")
Zumba’s got it. It’s for safety. ---
**Author:** ![johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnson)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2001, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-side-window/67543/4 "2001-06-04T20:58:16Z")
Our car (a Toyota) does have one-touch operation for both up and down. I assume it will stop on the way up if something blocks it, but I’m not going to test it. My question is, why are passengers not afforded this luxury (I suppose they are in some vehicles). Even though they don’t have to keep their hands on the wheel, they surely have better things to do than keep their hands on the switch for 3-5 seconds… ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2001, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-side-window/67543/5 "2001-06-05T01:31:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by johnson \* > **My question is, why are passengers not afforded this luxury (I suppose they are in some vehicles).** You’ve got it right. Some models of some cars _do_ offer two-way “one-touch” window controls, and some offer it for more than just the driver. From experience, I know the BMW 540i has it on all four windows, for instance. **And** , WRT safety, I can also say from experience that the BMW had a fairly sensitive sensor that stopped the window if anything blocked it. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2001, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drivers-side-window/67543/6 "2001-06-05T03:59:47Z")
I’ve always assumed the reason for the 1 touch window lowering is for tolls. Around here, the last thing you want to do while you’re trying to find a good lane is worry about holding down a button on the door. Passengers don’t have to deal with them, so they don’t get the perk.