I'm thinking of maybe purchasing window deflectors for my Impala, an 08. After prowling the forums for a bit, the general consensus around seems to be in channel trumps stick on, especially since the stick ons have to go on the chrome trim, interrupting it.
I am leaning towards the WeatherTechs, which some seem to prefer over the Lund. Could anybody with any window deflectors of any sort tell me about their experience, how they worked out for you, real world benefits, that kind of stuff? Since WeatherTech only makes front deflectors, do you think it looks weird with just the fronts?
Also, since I do have tinted windows, I am trying to find out if the deflectors will cause any issues with tint. And finally, should I ever decide to remove the in channel deflectors, will it "loosen" the seal between the window and the frame when shut? I.e., will the window not seal as well when shut?
I'd greatly appreciate any and all insight and recommendations!
I have the WeatherTech versions and absolutely love them. I love being able to keep my windows cracked regardless of the weather - especially because I smoke. Even after 3+ years, non-smokers still cannot tell that I smoke in the car. It's also great in the summer because you can keep the heat levels down inside the car while parked - even if its pouring down rain.
I tried the Lund versions and didn't like them at all. Unlike the WeatherTech versions, the Lund versions rely on an adhesive to stay put. The Lund also didn't allow me to keep the windows cracked nearly as far (without letting rain in) - and they were made out of a cheaper material. And besides all of that, at least when I tried them, there was some sort of defect where you couldn't install them as specified (Lund/AVS confirmed this). Now, they may have fixed them by now, I'm not sure.
With all of that said, as you've found out - WeatherTech does not make versions for the the rear windows on these cars! Personally, I actually like the "front-only" look, so I don't mind - but some people do. Check my garage for some pics with them installed on the front only.
I also have window tint and they have not caused any issues with the tint. I also had to remove them for a few days when I got my windows tinted and they did not seem to interfere with the window seal once removed.
my family has used the stick on style for years. they've always done well (except for an 02 cavalier, that just had a poor design of the vents). if it's a 4 door i always do all 4 as i've seen them with just the fronts on a 4 door and it looks goofy. i have a friend who has the in channels on an f150 but his wife got the slim narrow versions. they're about useless for keeping water out honestly. the bigger the vent the farther down you can roll your windows. as a side note, they always produce increased air noise in the cabin when traveling at highway speeds.
I forgot to come back and update this thread, I am about to order a set of the weathertechs. Jtrosky what tint % do you have?
Edit: I went ahead and pulled the trigger. $60 without shipping is steep, but from what I hear it is definitely worth it. I went with the dark, since I have 30% tint already, and if it ever changes the tint will only get darker lol
I used to be a fan of window deflectors. For some reason I am not anymore. However, when I was, I always got the in channel weather techs and was extremely satisfied. I had also gotten the stick on kind before and while none ever fell off, I just think the in channel look much cleaner.
Probably the biggest reason that I *really* like the deflectors is because I still smoke.... It's *extremely* beneficial to have the deflectors if you smoke because a) you don't get wet while smoking when its raining out and b) you can leave the windows cracked in order to help "air out" the car while parked.
But they are also really nice to help keep the interior cool in the summer (by keeping the windows cracked) - and not worry about rain (when parked outside).
While I don't smoke that much in the car, I still keep my front windows cracked at all times while the car is parked - which helps tremendously - non-smokers can't even tell I smoke in the car - and that is even with cloth seats (which usually absorb the "smoke smell" MUCH more than leather seats).
i've never had the in track kind but it just seems like they would interfere with the tint/make it that much more resistance on the window motors (which GM seems to have an issue with in silverado's and impala's to a certain extent).
Weathertech's work just fine in my '16 Silverado and '17 Impala. All you have to do is make sure you follow the instruction.
Never slowed, stalled or reversed any of the window motors and stay firmly in place. Light tint looks better against the lightly tinted side windows and just asa good in the Silverado's heavily tinted rears. Light tint helps with driver side window viewing in a turn. Weathertechs are thicker plastic (thinner in the mounting channel portion) and look more OEM - not flimsy like other brands or the outside stick-ons -worth any extra bucks.
They definitely don't interfere with the tint and while they ever so slightly interfere with the window closing that last few mm (they no longer close with that loud "thud"), I crack my windows every time I shut the car off and then fully close them every time I start the car - been doing that for years - EVERY TIME I use the car and it hasn't caused any issues with the window motors (or tint)- at least not yet. The plastic that goes in the channel is so thin, that it really doesn't interfere with anything in any significant way.
Like mentioned above, the "stick-on" type really interfere with the chrome trim on these cars and I personally think it ruins the look of the window trim on these cars because of that.
And the alternative in-channel brand (Lund) were complete junk, IMO (at least in comparison to the WeatherTech). To me, the WeatherTechs are the only way to go - for both looks and functionality (as long as having them on the rear windows isn't a priority!).
Like anything else, it's a personal preference depending on goals and desires.
I have had ventshade stick on type and that has been on silverado trucks and never had an issue with them falling off and they look ok. Used to use chrome channel type on custom trucks and vans back in the 80's and 90's and don't recall any issues with them.
Just reiterating that I also never had a problem with either kind. I just like in channel better because of the cleaner look.
And I understand if somebody is a smoker or has their window cracked a lot, how they would be beneficial. I just don't have a need for it, and I found that it made cleaning the side windows slightly more difficult. That's not my reason for not having them, but I do remember that. And with the weather tech, there is no interference at all with tint or anything like that.
So, I received my deflectors last Friday. Unfortunately the passenger side arrived scuffed up and broken. I tried to install the driver side, and it wasn't sitting very securely, it was quite loose. So I contacted WeatherTech, and all credit to them, they shipped out a replacement set today.
I also asked about the driver's side window not being secure, and this is the response I got. It may be helpful for anyone else considering to get these.
This time, when you install the deflector, only crack the window open about ½” – 1” (do not roll the window all the way down as shown in our instructions). You will want the opening in the window to be smaller than the length of the upper/rear edge of the deflector. This way, the window will act like a guide to ensure the deflector is inserted into the proper internal channel. Make sure that you install the front portion of the deflector first, then bow it to install the rear portion. You can then work your way from front to back threading the rest of the deflector into the channel. Once the deflector is installed into the channel, give the deflector a few tugs along the front (gently pulling away from the vehicle) to ensure that it is in the outermost channel. Slowly inch the window up the rest of the way the first time.
I've had them installed for about 2 days and I think I'm sending them back.
Wind Deflectors, HA!
The wind is blowing 50 miles an hour and my car is all over the road due to the wind.
false advertising
I'm just kidding!
They look nice, work great, and I don't worry about them like the Ventshade type like on the Tahoe and Silverado, which stick way out, are prone to unintended removal, and need the tape reapplied, after difficult removal, after a couple of years.
On a not joking note, my Lincoln has really awesome feature. I'm not joking about this. The eco-boost gets a feature that prevents you from being pushed around in the wind. Electronically, the car senses when it is being moved by some external force and there are no inputs in the steering wheel. It automatically corrects. You don't feel anything at all in the steering wheel. The car simply stays straight despite huge gusts of wind hitting it on the side.I forget I have it until I drive our Enclave on the highway in wind. You hear big gusts of wind, but the car stays straight. It's a feature I LOVE. And unlike some cheesy "features" these days, it truly works.
^^^I will try to look in the advertising brochure. They mentioned the name in the brochure as I recall. They did not heavily advertise the feature. I agree that it has to use a lot of the same sensors as stability track/stability control.
When I was comparing my car to an SHO, I had to do a lot of researching and legwork to figure out additional features that the Lincoln might have over the Ford. Trust me, it was extremely difficult. It seems as though they never really wanted people buying my car and people buying SHO's to be cross shopping.
Some other things it has that were pretty interesting for 2010, for as domestic manufacturer, are the articulating headlights, power rear window sunshade, dual sunroofs, and LED brake lights, pushbutton start, things like that....... that are fairly common today, but were unusual back then. The SHO shared a few, but not all of those features.
By the way, the system is called EPAS. Lincoln/Ford says it is software program on electronically assisted steering vehicles that corrects and adjusts for crosswind, crowns in the road, Etc. In any event, it actually works.
I like my in-channel Weathertechs. They do look MUCH better than stick-on. They can be temporarily removed. They allow you to leave your windows cracked to allow heat to escape and if it rains, you won't be running out to raise the windows. Regarding in-channel vent shades interfering with tint, I would just trim my tint to the channel at the top of the window frame.
You said that the Weather Tech deflectors were remove wnen yor windows were tinted. Are they easy to remove since the delector on my truck is parialy broken? I'm unsure how hard they are to pull out of the window tracks.
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