Will opening a car window slightly cause water ingress during rain?
3 Answers
Opening a car window slightly will lead to water ingress. Below are additional explanations regarding slightly opening car windows: 1. Lowering the interior temperature: In summer, opening the window slightly can reduce the interior temperature by 20-30 degrees Celsius, maintaining a relatively comfortable cabin temperature. 2. Reducing interior odors: Many vehicles have strong interior odors. Sun exposure can cause interior leather materials to release large amounts of harmful gases, including formaldehyde and benzene. Keeping windows slightly open for ventilation can effectively alleviate this issue. 3. Safety hazards: Slightly opened windows may pose certain safety risks, such as potential water leakage incidents.
I've been driving for over ten years, and this is quite a common issue. Once when I was on a business trip, I left the car window slightly cracked for ventilation on a rainy day, and rainwater actually managed to seep in, soaking the passenger seat. I had to spend a long time wiping it dry with a towel, and later there was even a slight musty smell. Since that lesson, I've learned my lesson and never leave the window cracked in the rain. In fact, rainwater can slide along the glass into the car, and the size of the gap doesn't matter much—just a bit of wind or slanted raindrops can cause leakage. My advice is to use the air conditioning or sunroof for ventilation instead of taking the risk. Prolonged exposure to moisture can damage the seats and electronic components, and cleaning up the mess is a hassle. It's also important to regularly check the condition of the window seals—when they age, they're more prone to leaks. Making sure the windows are tightly closed before it rains will give you peace of mind.
From an automotive maintenance perspective, it's quite normal for rainwater to seep into window gaps. Small gaps don't provide adequate protection against wind and rain, allowing water to easily enter the vehicle through capillary action or wind force - even well-designed cars can't achieve perfect sealing. This may lead to interior damage or electrical short circuits. We recommend keeping windows fully closed during rain and using the recirculation system for ventilation instead. A simple check for cracked weatherstripping can prevent issues, especially in areas prone to heavy storms. Don't worry too much - just pay attention to weather forecasts to avoid unnecessary repair costs.
