Windows squeal when lowering/raising.. how to fix??

**slk23** · 07-12-2011 01:59 PM

Just got a used S5 about 2 months ago.. since Day 1 the windows squeal loudly (some ppl have referred to it as a squeeling pig or fingernails on a chalkboard) when you roll the windown down and its even worse when rolling up..
Its worse on hotter days but when its wet/rain, it doesnt make sounds at all.. i just got my tint done, so i'm worried that it may scratch the tint up.

I went to the dealership and they "lubed' the windows and channels.. fixed the problem for a day then came right back the next.

I just tried Gummi Pledge.. its a rubber sealant/protectant but it doesnt seem to work.. all it does is smear the windows.

Anyone have any ideas/fixes? I cant tell if its from the outside or inside.. the outside liner/channel seems to be felt and the inside seems to be rubber..

This is bugging the heck out of me.. a luxury coupe and it makes this noise like a old beater car.. I dont even want to roll my windows down anymore.

**FlyGti** · 07-12-2011 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by slk23

Just got a used S5 about 2 months ago.. since Day 1 the windows squeal loudly (some ppl have referred to it as a squeeling pig or fingernails on a chalkboard) when you roll the windown down and its even worse when rolling up..
Its worse on hotter days but when its wet/rain, it doesnt make sounds at all.. i just got my tint done, so i'm worried that it may scratch the tint up.

I went to the dealership and they "lubed' the windows and channels.. fixed the problem for a day then came right back the next.

I just tried Gummi Pledge.. its a rubber sealant/protectant but it doesnt seem to work.. all it does is smear the windows.

Anyone have any ideas/fixes? I cant tell if its from the outside or inside.. the outside liner/channel seems to be felt and the inside seems to be rubber..

This is bugging the heck out of me.. a luxury coupe and it makes this noise like a old beater car.. I dont even want to roll my windows down anymore.

My A5 does this as well when it really hot outside. As soon as I wash the car it goes away. Seem like a combination of hot weather and dust/debris in the window felt.

**motivated** · 07-12-2011 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by FlyGti

My A5 does this as well when it really hot outside. As soon as I wash the car it goes away. Seem like a combination of hot weather and dust/debris in the window felt.

Mine just started doing this as well, was planning (and still am) to take it into the dealer to see what they can do to resolve.

My car is a 2010 A5 2.0T (non -sline), with tinted windows (Ceramic Tint). The sound only comes from the passenger side window and this summer is the 1st time I have heard it make this sound.

**Mops@Nemesis** · 07-12-2011 03:23 PM

Mine does it as well when its hot and it gets louder the hotter it gets. So dam annoying!

**ActivS5** · 07-12-2011 05:29 PM

My old A5 did this too, but only on the drivers side.

What I ended up doing is wrapping a hard card in a thin towel.
Spaying a ton of WD-40 on the towel.
Sticking the card/towel into the gasket where the squeak occurs and rubbing profusely.

You should roll your window up and down a couple times and repeat the application process too.

That should solve it for at least a couple weeks. I found that the problem would be worse when it was cold out.

**ExhaustNote** · 07-12-2011 05:49 PM

My windows did this for while and I used Einszett gummi pflege on the seals which helped out a bit. Eventually it kept returning so I got my window seals replaced under warranty. Have not had an issue since.

**Lugnuts** · 07-12-2011 08:47 PM

My driver side window was making a squealing noise opening and closing last year. I took it to the dealer and they replaced some part of the mechanism. Apparently there was a TSB for it. You may want to check on that.

**crisp74** · 07-13-2011 05:26 AM

interesting. i have the same problem on the driver's side only. does everyone with this issue have tints also?

**bknewtype** · 07-13-2011 05:27 AM

i just noticed it started squeezing on my drivers side only also. tints.

bleh so when its cold, the brakes squeal. when its hot the windows squeal. theres no winning huh

**Mops@Nemesis** · 07-13-2011 05:30 AM

Yea, tint on mine. And it gotten scratched up a bit over the past year due to this rubbing/friction.

**crisp74** · 07-13-2011 05:41 AM

mine too. wonder if that has anything to do with it. i'll take it to the dealer soon, keep you updated.

**u080570** · 07-13-2011 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by Lugnuts

My driver side window was making a squealing noise opening and closing last year. I took it to the dealer and they replaced some part of the mechanism. Apparently there was a TSB for it. You may want to check on that.

Same with mine ** they replaced the regulators on both doors...problem solved

**crisp74** · 07-13-2011 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by bknewtype

i just noticed it started squeezing on my drivers side only also. tints.

bleh so when its cold, the brakes squeal. when its hot the windows squeal. theres no winning huh

funny, true.

**gimpgutter** · 07-13-2011 06:29 AM

Mine squeals as well and is more prevalent on hotter days. There is no tint on my windows, however.

I assume the regulators are replaced free under warranty?

**Mops@Nemesis** · 07-13-2011 07:01 AM

Keep this updated if anyone goes to the dealer...I may try when I get time. Obviously some have had this resolved with little trouble and have seen others in the past having a hard time at the dealer and multiple visits.

**AlmostS50** · 07-16-2011 10:06 AM

Drivers side /tints yes

**Wah** · 10-05-2011 06:02 AM

My car is currently at the dealership [for what could possibly lead to a new transmission] and they confirmed that the window screeching is due to having tints. I thought it was BS but 99% of members who experience this have tints.

Any updates?!

**staticuxo** · 10-05-2011 06:42 AM

i just got this squeal the other day.. i do NOT have window tint. i also have vertical lines going up and down the window always, it's like the seal is too tight or something.

**slk23** · 10-05-2011 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Wah

My car is currently at the dealership [for what could possibly lead to a new transmission] and they confirmed that the window screeching is due to having tints. I thought it was BS but 99% of members who experience this have tints.

Any updates?!

Its not due to tint.. thats a cop out by the stealership.
I had the squeeling BEFORE I got tint, I took it to the stealership and they "cleaned and lubed" the seals.. one day later the noise came back..
I ended up getting tint anyways afterwards, and just a few days ago I noticed quite a few vertical "lines".. they were actual scratches in the tint (I can feel the indentions with my fingernail).
The seals/rubber/felt are horrible in these cars.. The squeels only come out when the weather is hot for me, since its cooler now, its not as bad/much, but now I have the scratches in the tint.. ugh.

**ExhaustNote** · 10-05-2011 09:27 AM

All the cleaning and lubing is just temporary. Like I mentioned earlier in the thread, it wasn't until I had my seals completely replaced by the dealer under warranty that the squealing went away. It's been about 8 months since they were replaced and I'm happy to say that I do not having problems with it anymore.

**Sin_city_Rings** · 10-05-2011 10:38 PM

Same here. Mine is passenger side only and i do have tints.

Between the window squeal and the door rattles, im only thankful for a good stereo to tune it all out. lol

**luca10** · 10-06-2011 04:29 AM

A also have the annoying squeak that I hear coming more from the drivers side. I have tints also.

**phillips2024** · 10-06-2011 04:44 AM

had this on my s4, no tints. dealership added some lubricant or something inside the door few months back.

currently happens every now and then. i have tint now

**jab23** · 10-06-2011 07:58 AM

Driver side. Awful squeal. No tint. Started at the beginning of summer. Worse when hot, but still happening now when cool. Annoying and embarrasing. Will have them look at it at the dealer next time I go for something.

**Wah** · 10-06-2011 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by slk23

Its not due to tint.. thats a cop out by the stealership.

Possibly.
The tech manager was very convinced that it was due to the tints. I can't really remember if my windows used to squeal pre-tinting.

I told him to change my seals but, very convincingly, he claimed it wouldn't change things.
Brian, if you have had tints on your car, I would have probably pushed for a replacement of the seals but there are so many cases on here that differ - haven't seen solid findings so all suggestions are simply opinions at this stage.

**seph** · 10-07-2011 06:00 AM

Are people seeing this still on 2012 cars? I am set for delivery in Jan hopefully they have fixed it. Maybe i should ride around without tint for a while to see if it occurs.

**gimpgutter** · 10-07-2011 11:01 AM

Here is my experience:

I have no tints on my windows and as far as I'm aware of, there were never any tints from the previous owner. Both my driver and passenger windows squeal and also form vertical smudges after a couple days of use. It washes off fine, but always returns a few days later.

I brought it into my dealer to get serviced and mentioned the window squeal. He said it is a common problem and is caused by a faulty regulator (before even looking at the car). He said they will fix it up. Unfortuantely, they aren't doing the service on the car because they think the driver's side was repainted at some point and may have been in an accident. Therefor, cannot confirm that replacing the regulator would fix the issue, but here is what we learned:
1) Tints do not necessarily cause it.
2) The dealer (at least mine) is aware of the issue and was willing to replace it under warranty. This is Schneider Nelson, btw.

**tins5** · 10-07-2011 04:52 PM

I did a quick google search and found on a BMW that someone applied some baby powder and it worked. I just did it and it worked for me...not sure how long it's going to last though lol

**walksonair** · 10-07-2011 10:15 PM

I complained about this as well and was told there was an update to the window regulators or other parts. Both were replaced under warranty on my 2010 A5 2.0T.

**DeMOROlized** · 10-09-2011 12:22 AM

My windows were squealing this summer and the dealership replaced the regulators. All back to normal since then.

**Wah** · 10-09-2011 12:21 PM

^^^
Interesting, I will have to bring that up next time I'm there.

**confinedz** · 10-13-2011 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by DeMOROlized

My windows were squealing this summer and the dealership replaced the regulators. All back to normal since then.

+1 had the same thing

**grady2** · 07-17-2013 01:24 PM

Both driver & passenger windows are screaming when opening. Dropping at dealer tomorrow; 2011 Q5, better be covered under warranty. Never came accross this sound in any other car.

**frigga** · 07-18-2013 07:13 AM

Had the same issue when I picked up my car last month, but has since resolved itself by using it. If there are any other solutions to this, post it up!

**BS5** · 07-18-2013 07:54 AM

I went by my local dealer yesterday and mentioned the same issue. He said the only way to fix is to replace the all the internals of the door and it will usually still come back within a month. He said they will be glad to try and lube it but thats normally a short fix... Thats the best answer?

**FamousLastWords** · 07-18-2013 09:42 AM

Same issue lately with 90+ temps; I have tint too.

**BAHNSTORMER** · 07-18-2013 10:14 AM

Same issue during this hot weather. No tint. Will mention to my dealer as it's still under warranty.

**Khannie112** · 07-18-2013 12:30 PM

It's either been so darn hot or so darn humid here in Northeast that I don't think I've rolled down my windows for about 2 months. Going to have to roll it down today when I get out of work to see if I get the squeal