Notices
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Heavy rain = windows open

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 09:56 AM
  #1  
sebast's Avatar
sebast
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Portugal
Default Heavy rain = windows open

I left my Lexus IS 220 D locked and all windows closed in open air.
During the night heavy rain drops.
Next morning I found the four windows open and lots of water in the car.

It happened at least four times.

Can anyone help me solving this problem?

S Albuquerque
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 10:17 AM
  #2  
heyarms's Avatar
heyarms
Pole Position
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,918
Likes: 40
From: SoTX
Default

If you hold down the unlock button on your key fob, it rolls down all the windows/sunroof (in US at least). You may be accidentally pressing your keys in your pocket! Sorry to hear, hope you get it all aired out!
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 10:22 AM
  #3  
flipmode's Avatar
flipmode
Rookie
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default

Unfortunately I know what this is. It is a safety feature that allows you to escape your car if submerged. I had no idea about this feature until hurricane Sandy came along. Four of our cars totaled. Three had this safety feature and opened up windows and rear windows in the middle of the storm and got extra soaked. The cars were under about two feet of water when they opened up. Open windows or not, I don't think it would have mattered. House is even worse. Oh well.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 10:57 AM
  #4  
panda08's Avatar
panda08
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 546
Likes: 3
From: california
Default

Originally Posted by flipmode
Unfortunately I know what this is. It is a safety feature that allows you to escape your car if submerged. I had no idea about this feature until hurricane Sandy came along. Four of our cars totaled. Three had this safety feature and opened up windows and rear windows in the middle of the storm and got extra soaked. The cars were under about two feet of water when they opened up. Open windows or not, I don't think it would have mattered. House is even worse. Oh well.
Is there a way to find out if my 2IS has it without finding out the hard way?
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 11:10 AM
  #5  
nitrotang's Avatar
nitrotang
Lead Lap
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 545
Likes: 14
From: CA
Default

Wow, I didn't know our cars had that safety feature. I wonder where the sensor is.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 12:18 PM
  #6  
Gville350's Avatar
Gville350
Moderator
10 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 444
From: South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by nitrotang
I wonder where the sensor is.
That's what I'd like to know! This now has me concerned slightly.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 01:28 PM
  #7  
heyarms's Avatar
heyarms
Pole Position
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,918
Likes: 40
From: SoTX
Default

First time hearing of this safety feature... a bit skeptical

But the OP said its happened 4 times. I wouldnt think he has been flooded or near flooded 4 times??? For his concern, still think its keys in the pocket being pressed. But still very curious about this unheard of safety feature!
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 02:20 PM
  #8  
tex2670's Avatar
tex2670
Lexus Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,001
Likes: 85
From: Southeastern PA
Default

Originally Posted by heyarms
First time hearing of this safety feature... a bit skeptical

But the OP said its happened 4 times. I wouldnt think he has been flooded or near flooded 4 times??? For his concern, still think its keys in the pocket being pressed. But still very curious about this unheard of safety feature!
Seems like this "safety feature" can't be true--for this exact reason. If the car can't tell the difference between a heavy rainstorm and a flood, that's not a desirable feature. Also--I would think this feature would be promoted somewhere in Lexus marketing materials. I prefer heyarms' answer above.

Also, found this:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/news...e-is-submerged

Tuesday morning, residents across the Northeast began assessing the damage from Hurricane Sandy. One of those folks -- Reggie Thomas -- stepped outside to discover that the windows on his 2011 Honda were down, and Sandy had left roughly 12 inches of rainwater inside the vehicle.

In speaking to the Associated Press, it appears that Thomas told reporters that Hondas are equipped with a sensor that rolls down the windows when it detects that the vehicle has been submerged. On the surface, that seems like a sensible safety feature -- something that could help passengers escape from Honda vehicles when they're involved in accidents in bodies of water.

According to the New York Times, similar stories soon abounded of drivers finding their Hondas soaked with rainwater, thanks to windows that automatically rolled down due to storm surge and flash flooding.

The only problem is, Thomas' story and those that followed aren't accurate -- at least not according to Honda. Chris Martin, a spokesman for the automaker's American unit, insists that neither Honda nor Acura vehicles have an automatic roll-down feature on their windows.

That said, Martin pointed out that for at least ten years, Hondas and Acuras have been built so that power windows remain operable when vehicles are submerged. However, those windows only open when drivers or passengers use the switches.

Have any of you had this problem with a Honda or Acura? Or is this just an internet/urban legend? Drop us a line, or leave a note in the comments below.
One more site:

http://www.regs-safety.com/page.php?id=527&menu=394

Last edited by tex2670; Nov 7, 2012 at 02:28 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 02:33 PM
  #9  
KillaIS250's Avatar
KillaIS250
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,120
Likes: 10
From: 909, CA
Default

Originally Posted by heyarms
If you hold down the unlock button on your key fob, it rolls down all the windows/sunroof (in US at least). You may be accidentally pressing your keys in your pocket! Sorry to hear, hope you get it all aired out!
^^ It's probably this!
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 02:58 PM
  #10  
flipmode's Avatar
flipmode
Rookie
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by heyarms
First time hearing of this safety feature... a bit skeptical

But the OP said its happened 4 times. I wouldnt think he has been flooded or near flooded 4 times??? For his concern, still think its keys in the pocket being pressed. But still very curious about this unheard of safety feature!


yeah i sat there and pressed my buttons during the hurricane. My insurance told me about the features. Cant be a coincidence that my ford escape, m3, and sister's 330 all opened up. It was the first I heard too. Just a possibility I presented to the OP. Be as skeptical as you want. I believe it as I see it in front of my eyes, but yeah I pressed the buttons during the storm, LOL smh.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 03:14 PM
  #11  
flipmode's Avatar
flipmode
Rookie
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default

after a few seconds search on Google (a popular search engine, try it), many people had the same issue during Sandy. Apparently this feature exists in other cars besides mine.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 04:10 PM
  #12  
sebast's Avatar
sebast
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Portugal
Default

Thank you all for the explanations and comments .
It can not be caused by the key since I was too far from the car.
I believe in the safety device . I will confront Lexus specialists with this
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 04:23 PM
  #13  
600rr05's Avatar
600rr05
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
Default

sucks to hear keep us posted curious to see the outcome of how it happened. que parte de Portugal é você?
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 05:49 PM
  #14  
ghwanee's Avatar
ghwanee
Rookie
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Default

from my experiences all cars with remote key fob has the option to lower all windows if you hold unlock button. In different countries, you can also close all windows by pressing and holding lock button but it's a safety feature in the US so they won't allow that from what I know.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 05:55 PM
  #15  
paperboy42's Avatar
paperboy42
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Alhambra, CA
Default

damn that sucks hope the repair works out for you
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:18 AM.