[jimvw57]

I saw a new device on Facebook that clamps on the rear window latch hook (on the window) and extends it a few inches. I got one and am trying it out. It arrived today and I took a short drive to see how it worked.

with both windows open, airflow goes in the sides and out the back. doesn't blow past your head and out the other side so cuts down on wind noise.

You hear the motor and exhaust noise more, and with a cracked flex pipe, it is pretty loud.

Have not taken it above 40 MPH yet so we shall see how it affects side winds on the highway, and if it helps remove heat without the A/C .

Overall, it is a well built device, doesn't rattle or move, holds the window in location good. Only down side I could see is that it is made of steel and could scratch the car if it is dropped on a body panel (which my grandson did right away.)



available on Amazon

 

[OliverB]

Interesting. In warm weather I often ride around my community with the windows down and rear hatch up on my ‘16 453. Nice air flow and cooling. Only concern long distance is if exhaust gases are sucked in. Shouldn’t be with side windows down.

 

[jimvw57]

I was thinking about the exhaust fumes and the shape of the back end. It might be possible for exhaust to be sucked in, but as you said, with the side windows open, probably not.

With the window open all the way I would be worried about road vibrations or bumps flexing it enough that it would break. But that is just me I guess.

 

[jwight]

Very similar to what Corvette owners have used for years.

From 2009....

 

[sokoloff]

Got a link to it?

Len
2014 EV Coupe 18,000 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 12,500 miles

 

[jimvw57]

https://www.amazon.com/GLPP-Smart-0...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5TSXSMZMDPKHKEQ99FGT

 

[1983JZR3W]

Is it really worth $50.00? Seems a bit pricey for what you get.

 

[jimvw57]

compared to the one in the picture made for Corvettes, it looks like the Corvette one would rattle when driving down the road. The smart one won't.

It all boils down to what you think is important. I'd rather have a quality made part than a cheap stamped imported knock-off made to keep the price down

 

[russell_314]

Is it really worth $50.00? Seems a bit pricey for what you get.

It's a small piece of metal so I suspect it costs them about $3 to make. It's because they're the only ones making this and people want it so they charge that. It's the same principle as if you're selling water in the desert. You can charge $1000 for a glass of water and if someone needs or wants it bad enough they'll pay. It looks like a good device but I wouldn't pay $50 for it. Maybe $20 tops

Also directly from the owners manual

WARNING
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the engine is running and while driving. Among other dangers, deadly carbon mon- oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

 

[OliverB]

Also directly from the owners manual

WARNING
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the engine is running and while driving. Among other dangers, deadly carbon mon- oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

Side windows closed I believe that would definitely be an issue. Side windows open should create a strong air flow exiting rear hatch opening preventing exhaust gases from entering. I wouldn’t do it in stop n go traffic.

 

[jimvw57]

why have the back open without the side windows? i would have it closed JMO...

 

[Johannesl]

It's a small piece of metal so I suspect it costs them about $3 to make. It's because they're the only ones making this and people want it so they charge that. It's the same principle as if you're selling water in the desert. You can charge $1000 for a glass of water and if someone needs or wants it bad enough they'll pay. It looks like a good device but I wouldn't pay $50 for it. Maybe $20 tops

Also directly from the owners manual

WARNING
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the engine is running and while driving. Among other dangers, deadly carbon mon- oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

It’s really a 1 man show making these. He’s on one or 2 of the Facebook groups by the name of Mike Mattice. He makes them in his garage in Vegas. They are hand painted (though I feel powder coating would last better since paint already flaking at the wing nut) and hand assembled.

I haven’t tried it on my gas smart, but did on the electric. Works ok and really cuts down on wind noise but adds road noise from the tailgaters.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[smark]

Also directly from the owners manual

WARNING
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the engine is running and while driving. Among other dangers, deadly carbon mon- oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.


No one pays attention to what’s written in owners manuals. With both windows down, there’s plenty of air flow in the vehicle. I sit in stop and go traffic, in rush hour. That item not great idea, fumes from the exhaust. Entering the bottom, of the rear hatch.

 

[1983JZR3W]

If you can't use it while driving, what's the point? It's kinda like those cheap smoke alarms. "For best results, hold near fire or flame".

 

[Jo e Lefors]

Who said it couldn't be used while driving?

 

[russell_314]

Side windows closed I believe that would definitely be an issue. Side windows open should create a strong air flow exiting rear hatch opening preventing exhaust gases from entering. I wouldn’t do it in stop n go traffic.

You would probably be okay if you weren't stopping very long. The exhaust gasses would just trail behind your car and wouldn't even go near the window. If you got into stop and go traffic you might want to get out of your car and close it though. That would be a little risky but maybe not as risky as CO poisoning. If you forgot about it I guess your family could always sue the manufacturer and get some $$$$ :laugh:

 

[1983JZR3W]

Who said it couldn't be used while driving?

Look at post #9 . It is stated that the owner's manual for the device says to not drive the car with the hatch open.

 

[russell_314]

Look at post #9 . It is stated that the owner's manual for the device says to not drive the car with the hatch open.

I think it's one of those situational things. If you're going on a long country drive with few red lights it might be okay. If you were driving in the city with the possibility of getting into traffic it's probably not such a good idea. One poster said he had it on his EV smart but not his gas powered one. I think that would be the best use for this device. EV would mean no CO coming out of the back to suffocate you.

 

[jimvw57]

I had a number of station wagons with rear windows that could be rolled down and didn't have any issues, but it is something to be aware of. The rear glass on a smart is curved at the lower corners which could direct some of the side air across the back.

They don't tell you not to drive with your arm out the window resting it on the top of the window opening. yet many people do it and some get hit by stones, or worse yet, stung by a bee that gets trapped in the airflow. or what about an open window and being passed by a gravel truck with stones spilling out the back. You could be hit in the head and knocked unconscious..
Hey, life is dangerous! most people don't get out alive!!

 

[russell_314]

I had a number of station wagons with rear windows that could be rolled down and didn't have any issues, but it is something to be aware of. The rear glass on a smart is curved at the lower corners which could direct some of the side air across the back.

They don't tell you not to drive with your arm out the window resting it on the top of the window opening. yet many people do it and some get hit by stones, or worse yet, stung by a bee that gets trapped in the airflow. or what about an open window and being passed by a gravel truck with stones spilling out the back. You could be hit in the head and knocked unconscious..
Hey, life is dangerous! most people don't get out alive!!

You're right life is dangerous and none of us will make it out alive. Driving a smart car isn't exactly the safest thing to do but we do it. Hanging your arm out the window can get you far worse than a bee sting. I've heard of cases where someone got their arm torn completely off. I've done it though. I would still use caution when using this device though. There's "life is dangerous so oh well" then there's Darwinism. I would call sitting in traffic with your back window open Darwinism. Someone has to test it though just to make sure it's safe or unsafe

On the topic of windows open, do they still make that device where you can park your car with the window cracked and it has a solar powered fan to keep the inside cool?