Anti Pinch Power Windows

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Anti-Pinch Power Windows

There is nothing quite like rolling down the windows to get some fresh Mobile air, but did you know that rolling the window back up used to be a safety concern for drivers and passengers?

Automotive safety features have come a long way since the seatbelt was first installed in cars by Saab way back in 1958. While most of us are familiar with things like seat belts or airbags, one of the most common safety features offered by automakers like Ford, BMW, Toyota, and Honda is related to the simple act of rolling up the car window. Since power windows are operated by powerful electric motors, they must operate safely by opening back up when something is in the way.

It's easy to take for granted that windows didn't always stop when something was in the way, but automakers like Ford are here to ensure your safety when operating your vehicle.

What Are Anti-Pinch Power Windows?

To understand the significance of anti-pinch windows, we need to take a look at how power windows work and why they may be dangerous without anti-pinch technology.

In the early days of the automotive industry, automakers were looking for new and exciting ways to make vehicles more luxurious and more advanced. Packard, an early innovator in automotive safety system technology, began to install power windows on their 1940 Packard Super 8 (180). Unlike today's modern electric windows, these early power windows were powered by hydraulic fluid and operated by toggle switches. Due to the power of hydraulics, these windows were incredibly dangerous and could seriously injure someone if a hand, finger, or other body part was in the way.

Over the years, safety technology continued to progress and electric windows became the norm, along with a specific power window switch that was more difficult for children to accidentally depress. Unfortunately, electric motors within the power-operated window were still surprisingly powerful, and people (especially children) were getting stuck in the windows and roof panel systems (sunroofs) with shocking frequency. The situation got so bad that a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS No. 118, 2004) was established to define the rules around switch operation and design, especially because of the prevalence of one-touch windows.

Modern Fords offer a feature called one-touch (or express) windows that only require the operator to depress a window switch once and the window will continue to move on its own. Theoretically, this could lead to injuries if an obstruction ended up in the path of the window and the window continued to go up.

Due to this feature, adherence to FMVSS rules was so specific and difficult to engineer that most OEMs chose to go with a simple technological specification to address the problem of kids getting injured in windows: the anti-pinch power window.

Once a power-operated window with anti-pinch technology encounters an obstacle, it rolls in the reverse direction and away from the obstacle.

What Is Window Bounce-Back?

Ford has offered power windows on its passenger cars in North America since 1954, but the first example of their bounce-back (Ford's name for anti-pinch windows) feature didn't come until 2001. Ford's new at the time Explorer Sport Trac offered a power sliding rear window between the cab and the bed that could conceivably choke someone who got stuck in it. Since then, window bounce-back made its way into dozens of Ford vehicles, and it is now standard across their lineup today.

How Does Anti-Pinch Technology Work?

Anti-Pinch technology works by measuring inputs from a control module that is attached to each power window switch.

Ford vehicles use Siemens AG's Closing Force Limitation (CFL) design that measures the force of the window as it rolls up the window frame and immediately reverses the window if a certain level of force is exerted on the window. This process happens extremely quickly, and it can be activated if anything from a hand to a chunk of snow makes its way into the window's path.

What Is the Anti-Clip Function of the Window?

The anti-clip function of the window is just another name for Ford's bounce-back technology. If you purchase a window motor on the aftermarket, you will often see anti-clip technology listed as one of the main features.

What Is a Pinch Sensor in a Car?

A pinch sensor is designed to measure the force on a rolling window. These sensors are "trained" to not interfere with operation up to a certain point of force, but will immediately activate if the standard amount of force is exceeded. Pinch sensors can become "untrained" if a 12V battery is disconnected and becomes overly sensitive, but Ford service can always be helpful if you encounter any issues.

Which Ford Cars Have Window Bounce-Back?

Dozens of Ford models offer the convenience and safety of window bounce-back. In general, from 2004 until now, all Ford vehicles with power windows offer window bounce-back.

Here are some of Ford's most popular models with window bounceback:

What Are the Benefits of Anti-Pinch Power Windows?

The single biggest benefit to anti-pinch power windows is safety while maintaining convenience.

One-touch windows offer a measurable level of convenience because drivers can operate all four windows with one press and not spend time holding down the switch. As small as this sounds, in practice, it's one of the best features of a modern vehicle. It's deceptively simple, but once you have it, you won't want to go back.

If you have children, the importance of bounce-back windows cannot be understated. If a child stands on the one-touch switch and the window starts to roll up, it could trap them or injure them. Since Ford offers bounce-back windows on models ranging from the Escape to the Mustang, you can rest easy knowing that this potential accident will not happen.

In addition to occupant safety, anti-pinch windows can also prevent window damage by stopping when there is an obstruction. Snow or ice, for example, can get jammed in a window, and if the window motor continues to push the glass up against snow or ice, the window could shatter and/or the window motor could get damaged. It's a simple piece of technology with many practical applications.

Find a Ford with Anti-Pinch Power Windows Near Mobile, AL

AutoNation Ford of Mobile has a great selection of both new and used Ford models that offer power windows with bounce-back technology. Whether you're looking for a tough truck or a muscle car, you can enjoy the convenience of power windows without worrying about safety concerns. Come in for a test drive and see why Ford vehicles offer the right combination of style, performance, and value, to make your travels around the Mobile area a memorable experience for you and your family.

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