Lemster

Come on guys, don't let me down!

For a long time (sad I know) I have wondered what these little tabs are for? They are little 'half fifty pence piece' sized plastic tabs that are fitted onto car doors are windscreen pillars as circled below. Every car I have owned has had them, and I see them fitted to many (not all) makes and models of cars, from old cars to brand spankers, which leads me to believe that they serve some purpose - but what?



The only thought I have is for some noise reduction, that these tabs break up the wind turbulance and help make for a quieter car????

Any thoughts guys and gals?

MartinM

They make sure the window stays in the channel as it goes up.....?

Lemster

Maybe with other cars, but there are no channels on a Scoob!

moff1888

Go faster tabs?
Extra streamlining when the windows are down, you wouldn't believe the difference they make.

No, ok. Yeah i want to know now too.

pslewis

Noise reduction.

I took a new WRX out and it whistled around the door mirror - a hand between the moirror and body silenced it.

This little tab cuts out the whistling of the wind.

redwards

iTrader: (6)

MartinM is right. They are to guide the window pane to the outside of the window seal rubber. Haven't notice them on my newage tho

AdamR

I was told by a very experienced mechanic that they are there so when it rains, water running up the A pillar flicks off the little plastic thing PAST the window, rather than the wind blowing it into the cabin! We all know how annoying that is!

moff1888

Or close the window.

Lemster

So we've got;

Window guide - not sure on this one. The mechanism that operates the window isn't that slack that it requires a 'bit of plastic' to guide it anywhere. Its not close enough to be of any assistance.

Rain Deflector - so why does water flick into the cabin when I clean the windscreen!

Whistle Reduction - Best theory so far, and my reasoning in my original post.

You never know, they may contribute to the whole stability oif the car, as per the Evo style fins! Bit of a waste on a Triumph Acclaim!

STi_Si

I believe it is a window guide, at speed the glass is pulled outwards from the car very slightly and this little tab pops it back in at the last minute....

M444GY

iTrader: (72)

its somthing to do with wind and rain deflection im thinking .

scoobyboy

there are window guides nothing else at least thats what subaru technical say anyway

El Cat

maybe they are just for decorative purposes??

rikroe666

i was told by a very experienced subaru specialist that these are for downforce, with out them you'd take off at 40mph

Jeem

iTrader: (1)

what would scooby do

They stop optimax/vpower going off after 3 months

c_maguire

I would think they prevent the window moving outwards (and then leaking or causing wind noise) if the pressure in the cabin is higher than the pressure outside as speed increases.
Kevin