Prius driver-side window

Does it make a scraping, grating noise as it reaches the last part?

I had something like that happen on my old yaris. I think it was the door strap catching. Be careful, I ignored it and ended up with a broken window. I tried to open the door with the window down and it shattered.

 

2 common problems with toyotas are the door lock actuators and window regulators. Yes I've owned 2 92 camrys and 97 avalon and 2000 rx300 in addition to our 04 corolla and two genII prius so I do know what I'm talking about. I love wearing old scrappy clothes and going to our dealership for a test drive, a salesman will look me over, roll his eyes and having gotten stuck with me, reluctantly invites me into his office, types my name in the computer, sees how many cars we've bought over the years and its always fun to see how quickly a salesman's attitude can change.

the window regulator is expensive but not nearly as much as the entire motor. But here's a cheap trick to try first: call some hardware stores to find a lubricant that is safe for glass and rubber, then lower the windows all the way and lube the rubber seals where they make contact with both sides of the glass. Things get dry in the winter so this is a cheap and worthwhile once or twice a year maintenance to perform on all your vehicles. If you use your drivers window a lot (drive thru, toll booths) then you should do the drivers window on a monthly basis.

WD-40 and graphite won't work so please post what you think is the best lubricant to use for this, I need to pick up a bottle for all our vehicles.

 

I use silicone spray on my window seals and tracks. I have seen no adverse impact and the windows operate smoother.

 

makes sense that silicone spray would work . . . thanks johnjamis, but a couple questions for you:

I do my own oil & filter changes but i don't own a grease gun, should I throw a few bucks at a lube place once a year to lube my undercarriage and what exactly needs to be lubed down there??

if siliconing the window seals is such good preventative maintenance why don't all auto manufacturer's include it in their maintenance schedule and why don't jiffy lube and the sorts include it as part of their service??

on that note, I'm thinking that a wipe would work better than a spray, does anyone know where to get a lubricant wipe similar to the wet naps we get at KFC??

 

Nothing needs lubing, as far as I know. There are no old-style grease fittings. What needs doing is outlined in the Owners Manual. I would stick to doing your own oil changes, or go through the dealership. "Lube Places" can be bad news.

 

thanks but what needs lubing on older cars?? was there some technological breakthough in the late 90's that allows modern cars to not need anything lubed??

I'm still looking for silicone wipes for the window seals if anyone knows where to get one . . . thanks

 

Your better off with a spray can, send the window down and spray plenty of silicon in the vertical channels where the window runs. It will run down the channels to were you can't reach, then send the window up and down a couple of times to spread it to the edge of the glass.