Squeaking Car Window: Why is That & How to Fix it?
If you are interested in getting the answer to a basic question like “why is my car window squeaking?” this article delves into the basics and provides insight about what needs to be done for getting rid of the irritating sound.
I enjoy DIY projects and do the majority of my car’s work on my own, so I can easily answer questions like this.
Why is Your Car Window Squeaking?
The primary cause of car window squeaking is dryness. When a new car is delivered from the factory, the automaker inserts a lubricant that reduces friction and enables the window to move up and down without any noise. The lubricant eventually dries up, causing the window to rub against the hard structure of the door, resulting in a squeaking sound.
When the window is rolled up and down several times, the squeaking sound becomes more common as it consumes any leftover lubricant, and the abrasions caused as a result harm the glass of your car’s window.
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How to Fix a Squeaking Car Window?
Fixing a squeaking car window is a simple process that can be easily performed by anyone. Here are the different steps of the process, however, it is vital to perform them in the right order to achieve the best results:
- Get a silicone-based lubricant;
- Ordinary WD-40 can be used, but it is not recommended as the primary use of WD 40 is related to metallic parts, and thus it can cause scratches on the glass;
- Roll the car window all the way down. You should not be able to see any part of the car’s window;
- Lubricate the lower and side sections of the window. However, for best results, lubricating the top section of the window is also recommended;
- Apply the lubricant in abundance to ensure that the problem doesn’t pop up again for a long time;
- Roll the window up and down at least two or three times to fully drench the dried out parts with lubricant;
- The squeaking will subside initially, and after a while, it will vanish completely.
Which Lubricant Should You Use?
To fix a squeaking car window, use a silicone-based lube. These lubricants are designed to not only deliver instant results but also to be extremely effective. There are numerous options on the market, some of which are as follows:
- Motomaster Silicone Lube
When it comes to squeaking in general, the Motomaster Silicone Lube works wonders. As a result, you can easily use it to eliminate the irritating sounds made by a squeaking window.
The main advantage of this product is that its one bottle is enough to completely remove the noise.
A 300g pack of the spray can be easily obtained for as low as $7.99 which is a very low price to remove such an irritating problem and that too right from the comfort of your home.
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- 3M Silicone Lubricant 08877
The 3M Silicone Lubricant, also recognized as 08877, is another silicone-based lubricant that can help you get rid of the squeaking car window sound. Make sure to use the wet version of this lubricant because the dry version will not minimize the squeaking car window noise.
3M is the world leader in providing a diverse range of options that can be used for different DIY projects. As a result, using this option for the needful is highly recommended.
What makes the 3M Silicone Lubricant a great product is that it contains no petroleum oils, which means you can use it without fear of staining your vehicle’s door components.
The lubricant has been specially formulated so that it does not freeze at temperatures as low as -28°F.
The 3M Silicone Lubricant’s ease of use allows it to rank among the best options for removing squeaking car window sounds. Simply spray the surface while holding the can 8 to 10 inches away. That’s it.
A can of the 3M Silicone Lubricant costs $14.99 and can be obtained from Walmart.
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- Stoner Silicone Lubricant
The Stoner Silicone Lubricant is the next product on our list, and it, too, has received positive reviews. Use it with confidence to eliminate the squeaking car window noise that has been bothering you for a long time.
It not only reduces friction between the parts but also provides the necessary lubrication, which reduces noise.
Furthermore, this lubricant is water repellant, which helps it to stay on the applied surface longer because it is not diluted by water. This prevents the Stoner Silicone Lubricant from quickly evaporating.
The beauty of this product is that it can be used on a wide range of surfaces such as plastics, rubber, and metals.
So a 9oz can of Stoner Silicone Lubricant will not only remove the squeaking sound from your car’s window but will also take care of any other annoying noises your car is making.
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- Liquid Wrench M914 Silicone Spray
The next item on our list is another excellent option for simply removing the squeaking car window sound.
This product comes in the form of a spray and, thanks to its ultra-slippery lubrication, can eliminate the disturbing sound in seconds.
Get yourself a can of the Liquid Wrench M914 Silicone Spray which is likely to cost you around $10 for an 11oz can.
Similar to other silicone-based lubricants, you can use the Liquid Wrench M914 on several surfaces including but not limited to rubber, metals, wood, and painted surfaces.
It is also free of petroleum oils, which means that dust and sand grains will not be attracted to it, resolving your squeaking car window problem immediately.
- B’laster 16-SL Industrial Strength Silicone Lubricant
The B’laster 16-SL Industrial Strength Silicone Lubricant is another great option for removing the squeaking car window sound. It has all the great qualities of the above-mentioned lubricants.
The No Dirt, No Stain promise of the B’laster 16-SL Industrial Strength Silicone Lubricant also fulfils the requirements of it being used to get rid of the irritating noise.
Thus feel free to use this one of the best products not only for resolving the car window noise but also for other nagging sounds.
When it comes to removing the squeaking car window sound, the final product on our list promises great results.
The DuPont Silicone Lubricant with Teflon Fluoro Polymer has one of the best customer reviews, supporting its claim of eliminating pestering noises common in areas of relatively dry climatic conditions.
The lubricant will cost you around $7 for a 10oz bottle, making it an extremely affordable solution for reducing, and in the best case, completely eliminating, squeaking car window sounds.
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For How Long Will It Help?
If an ample amount of silicone-based lubricant is used, it will eliminate the problem for at least a year. However, if the lubricant was not properly sprayed or was applied in small quantities, the issue is likely to reappear within a few months.
For how long the problem won’t pop up again also depends on the quality of the lubricant under consideration. In case of a substandard product, expect to bear the squeaking sound any time soon. The reason is that this solution will soon evaporate, and thus the problem will quickly reappear.
It also depends on your location’s climatic conditions. If you live in an area with dry air, the screeching sound is more likely to reappear sooner than if you live in an area with moist air. Similarly, the problem is less likely to resurface quickly in colder environments than in hotter ones.
So, in short, how long the lubricant will help you depends on a variety of factors, but one thing is certain: the use of proper silicone-based lubricants is essential which promises to assist you in getting rid of the squeaking car window sound that has been irking your ears.
Can WD-40 Be Used for Reducing the Squeaking Car Window Sound?
A common question among those considering doing this as a DIY project is whether or not WD-40 can be used to remove the annoying squeaking car window sound.
To answer this question, we must first recognize that a squeaking window is not the same as squeaking metallic parts of a vehicle, the problems of which can be easily resolved with a can of regular WD-40.
However, because the regular version of WD-40 is a water dispersant, it is ineffective for squeaking car windows. Being a mixture of oils and solvents, the WD-40 spray evaporates after a while.
You need a relatively permanent solution for a squeaking car window because you can’t keep applying the lubricant over and over. This is why all lubricants containing silicone work for the purpose and last longer.
If you’re looking to solve this problem, you should get the WD-40 Water-Resistant Silicone Lubricant.
So, in simple terms, the ordinary WD-40 that we use for everyday tasks will temporarily solve the problem, but it will resurface after a while, and you will have to repeat the above steps.
Consider using the silicone-based version of WD-40 to remove the squeaking car window sound for a long-lasting solution.
