Tiny Windows

dreichla · 05-16-2005, 10:07 PM

We just picked up our shiny new 2005 Prius last Friday and have been having a ball ever since. The NAV system (Dora) has been keeping my wife busy during trips finding every gas station and shopping mall (much more interesting than my son's game cube!)

Pardon me if this has been asked before, but here goes a wacky question. . .

What is the purpose of those two tiny little windows just ahead of the two front side windows? It appears Toyota has given quite a bit of attention to these little buggers with what appears to be a defrosting vent.

Is there a practical use I have yet to discover?

NuShrike · 05-16-2005, 10:15 PM

I believe Toyota has claimed it's to increase side visibility, but my experience has been the opposite. From the driver's perspective, it's fairly useless on the driver's side and unneeded on the passenger side.

These A-pillars are much fatter and bigger than needs to be IMO comparing to a 2005 Corolla, and a Lexus GS400 which has similiar pillar side-airbags.

V8Cobrakid · 05-16-2005, 10:50 PM

if you position your mirrow just right, the back window is visible. good to see when you pass someone. i think those windows help.

Devil's Advocate · 05-16-2005, 11:19 PM

I think that they are just there to give the car a more "open" and airy feel, because they are pretty useless for actual visuals.

bnlfanmatt · 05-17-2005, 01:53 AM

Because if Toyota didn't put them there, everyone would complain that it is too solid there and not enough glass....

DaveG · 05-17-2005, 02:39 AM

Yup, just there to "open up" the dash a bit more. It would be a bit darker and more closed-in without them.

Dave

NuShrike · 05-17-2005, 10:18 PM

Well, does the A-pillars actually need to look like an 'A' ? Is it structural?

Afterall, the Lexus GS400 has similiar side-airbag pillars without the 'A'-A pillar and it sure looks much more open than the Prius.

I'm sure they didn't do the vertical line just for the tweeters (which are pushed forward against the pillar in the Lexus).

bookrats · 05-17-2005, 11:09 PM

There actually holsters for potato guns.

(Or is that just me?)

V8Cobrakid · 05-17-2005, 11:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bookrats\";p=\"90429)</div>

Quote:

There actually holsters for potato guns.

(Or is that just me?)
[/b]

:iagree:

brandon · 05-17-2005, 11:24 PM

Huh. What a strange coincidence; I had a guy ask me the very same question about those tiny windows this evening. I told him I thought it was to make the car "look pretty." I had no idea they were holsters; it seems so obvious now!

05-16-2005, 10:07 PM	#1
dreichla Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,230 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Tiny Windows We just picked up our shiny new 2005 Prius last Friday and have been having a ball ever since. The NAV system (Dora) has been keeping my wife busy during trips finding every gas station and shopping mall (much more interesting than my son's game cube!) Pardon me if this has been asked before, but here goes a wacky question. . . What is the purpose of those two tiny little windows just ahead of the two front side windows? It appears Toyota has given quite a bit of attention to these little buggers with what appears to be a defrosting vent. Is there a practical use I have yet to discover? __________________ DORA - 2005 Black, Gray/Burgandy Interior, Pkg 6 w/Nav/BT, Coastal: EV Switch/Auto Locks/Mud Flaps/NAV Kit w/Bluetooth Override, OEM Block Heater

05-16-2005, 10:15 PM	#2
NuShrike my other Mobile Suit is a ... Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,367 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Tiny Windows I believe Toyota has claimed it's to increase side visibility, but my experience has been the opposite. From the driver's perspective, it's fairly useless on the driver's side and unneeded on the passenger side. These A-pillars are much fatter and bigger than needs to be IMO comparing to a 2005 Corolla, and a Lexus GS400 which has similiar pillar side-airbags.

05-16-2005, 11:19 PM	#4
Devil's Advocate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 877 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Tiny Windows I think that they are just there to give the car a more "open" and airy feel, because they are pretty useless for actual visuals.

05-17-2005, 01:53 AM	#5
bnlfanmatt Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest suburbs of Chicago Posts: 253 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Tiny Windows Because if Toyota didn't put them there, everyone would complain that it is too solid there and not enough glass....

05-17-2005, 10:18 PM	#7
NuShrike my other Mobile Suit is a ... Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,367 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Tiny Windows Well, does the A-pillars actually need to look like an 'A' ? Is it structural? Afterall, the Lexus GS400 has similiar side-airbag pillars without the 'A'-A pillar and it sure looks much more open than the Prius. I'm sure they didn't do the vertical line just for the tweeters (which are pushed forward against the pillar in the Lexus).

05-16-2005, 10:50 PM	#3
V8Cobrakid some guy... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,438 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	if you position your mirrow just right, the back window is visible. good to see when you pass someone. i think those windows help.

05-17-2005, 02:39 AM	#6
DaveG Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 806 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: C Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yup, just there to "open up" the dash a bit more. It would be a bit darker and more closed-in without them. Dave

05-17-2005, 11:09 PM	#8
bookrats Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,843 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	There actually holsters for potato guns. (Or is that just me?)

05-17-2005, 11:24 PM	#10
brandon Proud member of the "Lunatic Fringe" Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Manhattan, KS Posts: 769 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Tiny Windows Huh. What a strange coincidence; I had a guy ask me the very same question about those tiny windows this evening. I told him I thought it was to make the car "look pretty." I had no idea they were holsters; it seems so obvious now!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tiny oil filter	Begreen	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	28	10-29-2006 08:16 AM
Better MPG with windows up?	Kross	Fuel Economy	13	06-28-2006 02:47 PM
windows won't go up!.. help!	windstrings	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	30	06-21-2006 12:33 PM
windows	thaight	Prius Modifications	9	01-28-2006 11:55 AM
Source for tiny little cargo cover screws	Tickwood	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	3	07-16-2005 02:23 AM