[sokoloff]

I have always wished that there was some way to safely leave the rear window open in my coupe to see if the windy interior could be alleviated a little. I was worried about damaging the window. I like to drive with the windows open much of the time.

However, in the cabriolet, it is possible to open and leave the rear window in the "UP" position while driving with the top up and the windows down. It seems to make a nice difference by allowing the flow through ventilation. Do any of you foresee any downside to doing this? I'm not too worried about exhaust gases entering the cabin.

Len
2014 EV coupe 11,500 miles
2014 EV cabriolet 100 miles

 

[ElementalDragon]

I have always wished that there was some way to safely leave the rear window open in my coupe to see if the windy interior could be alleviated a little. I was worried about damaging the window. I like to drive with the windows open much of the time.

However, in the cabriolet, it is possible to open and leave the rear window in the "UP" position while driving with the top up and the windows down. It seems to make a nice difference by allowing the flow through ventilation. Do any of you foresee any downside to doing this? I'm not too worried about exhaust gases entering the cabin.

Len
2014 EV coupe 11,500 miles
2014 EV cabriolet 100 miles

Well, in the coupe, I don't think any damage to the window would be an issue. The problem would cone from the gas struts that hold the rear hatch up. Even just leaving it up for a length of time dries of the inner rod, causing it to be a bit difficult, if not worrying, to close. I went for a short drive with the rear hatch of my 453 open, and when I went to close it, I thought something might have broke. Any sort of dust buildup of any quantity is not a friend of those struts.

As for the cabrio, I have no idea. It doesn't use the same type of strut, but I'm not sure if its mechanism might be susceptible to drying out or dust.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[10470]

Len, yours was one of the first questions that I also asked when I got my Cabrio. (And for the same reason that I like flow-through air.)

The consensus of the few who had done it (usually for utility purposes) was that they experienced no mishap or regret for having driven with the Cabrio rear raised.

But give this a try instead: just crack your roof open a few inches from the windshield. It may give you enough of a good breeze to avoid the two-step nuisance of manually raising and lowering the rear. The only downside is that although the fabric roof is fully operational at any speed, for mine to seal its tightest (quietest) at the windshield the car needs to be going slowly or stopped.

 

[sokoloff]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Coupe - I am a bit worried that if I leave it all the way open that it could be subject to some road debris/stones damaging it, since it would be higher than the roof. I'm also a little bit concerned that going over an unanticipated bump that it might be jarred enough to close or partially close and then fly open causing some damage. I thought about trying to rig up some type of spacer to allow it to be partially open and secure. Haven't come up with anything yet.

Cabriolet - my driving situation is such that I could probably just leave the rear open almost all the time, so it wouldn't be all that inconvenient. The idea about partially opening the top is a good one though that I'll have to try.

Len
2014 EV coupe 11,500 miles
2014 EV cabriolet 150 miles

 

[ElementalDragon]

Pretty sure the only stones that could hit the hatch if it were open would have probably either hit the windshield first, or just been deflected over it by the airflow over the windshield and the rest of the car. And those struts take quite a bit to move from the fully upright position, so i don't think a very abrupt movement in any direction would be much to worry about. Like i said, only thing i'd be concerned with is wearing out the struts quicker with the dry center rod.

 

[wrumbarger]

UM?!?!?
It's a cabrio?

The whole purpose is to drive with the TOP DOWN?

I have had a cabrio since 2008.
Anytime the temp is above 50, my top is down.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

I have had a cabrio since 2008.
Anytime the temp is above 50, my top is down.

I will admit, there have been days (perhaps many days) where I've considered trading Tucker for a cabrio. Though I'm attached to that car like it's my best friend, so I'll likely never pull the trigger.

Anyway, on topic. I've seen cabrios rolling around with the rear window open. If I recall correctly the cabrio window doesn't rely on gas struts, so you should be okay driving with it venting open.

 

[sokoloff]

Thanks again all. Have just had the cabrio for a couple of weeks. Top down during the heat of the day in the sun is sometimes brutal. Shaded interior with a vented rear window is much more comfortable for us.

Len
2014 EV coupe 11,500 miles
2014 EV cabriolet 150 miles