Power windows have been a popular feature in all kinds of vehicles for decades now. According to Kelly Blue Book, the 1948 Packard 180 series automobiles introduced the very first hydroelectric power windows, a new advancement in the wake of World War II. While power windows are convenient, there are few things more frustrating than a window that is sticking or coming down slowly. If you're having issues with your car's power windows, here's how to handle them.

Check the Fuse Box

If you flip the window switch and can't hear anything in your car door, the fuse may have blown. The power window fuse, according to Popular Mechanics, is just powerful enough to take the current of all four windows operating at one time. If the fuse has blown, then all the flipping of the window switch in the world won't move a thing because the motors won't run.

Check the fuse box, which is usually located in the footwell on the driver's side. If the fuse box isn't labeled, make sure you have either your owner's manual or a Haynes manual open beside you. That way, you'll know that you're pulling the right fuse. Otherwise, you could pull the fuse for something like your car radio, blanking the channel selections you've spent so much time on — or worse, the engine control module.

Troubleshoot Your Windows

Before assuming you will need a full replacement of your windows' electric motors, it will help to know what you're looking at in terms of mechanical troubles. A weakened motor will probably need replacement while difficulty with the gear system might be fixed with a single-part replacement or even just a little bit of lubricant. A little time spent troubleshooting can save a lot of money.

Use Silicone Spray for Sticky Windows

If the window moves more slowly coming down than going up, or if it's making a squeaking sound going into and coming out of the door, the problem may not be with the window mechanism but with the window itself. Applying silicone lubricant spray can help you make sure that the window moves in the door smoothly. It can also restore your windows' operation to like-new condition.

Your car's power windows are simple systems, but troubleshooting them can be difficult. If you need professional assistance with your power windows or you're looking for power window kits, call Specialty Power Windows today.