Your Car Key Has a Hidden Summer Feature—Here’s How to Open Your Windows Without Getting Inside

Getting into a car that has been sitting in the summer sun can be an uncomfortable experience. But some vehicles have a remote feature that lets drivers lower their windows before opening the door, using nothing more than the key fob.

The trick is simple: Stand outside the vehicle and hold down the unlock button for a few seconds. On compatible cars, the windows will begin rolling down. Some models may also open the sunroof.

To close the windows again, drivers can press the lock button, although the exact procedure depends on the vehicle.

How to Activate the Hidden Feature

Motoring group LeaseCar shared the tip but cautioned that the function does not work the same way on every vehicle.

The group told Express.co.uk:

“Standing outside your vehicle, hold down the unlock button on your car keys and the windows will start to unwind.

“Some cars may differ – so try holding down the unlock button once, releasing it, and then pressing down again to activate this remote feature.”

Drivers should check their vehicle’s instructions to determine whether remote window operation is supported and how to activate it.

Why Drivers Should Be Careful With Their Key Fobs

The feature can be useful in hot weather, but accidentally pressing buttons on a key fob can activate functions when the driver does not intend to use them.

Leaving the windows open could make a parked vehicle an easier target for thieves.

Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, previously explained the benefits and potential drawbacks of such functions:

“These features can be fantastic if the owner understands the sequence of key-fob button pushes to access them.

“But they can also be frustrating or even harmful if these features are triggered accidentally.”

Before trying the trick, drivers should confirm that their vehicle supports it and make sure the windows are closed when the car is left unattended.