Cold Weather Mod: Front door window pocket draft mitigation

[GarageWarrior2023]

I noticed that when it's really cold and driving on the highway last winter that there always seemed to be a icy cold draft dropping against the side of my face almost like it was coming from exactly where this little pocket gets formed by the front door windows when closed.

If I covered this area with my hand, the cold draft went away. I think it's just that the cabin air flow collects back there and hangs just long enough to get extra cold and then gets redirected right at the driver/front passengers face.

I noticed this more specifically once I tried @Mach-Lee 's panoroof insulation (which works EXTREMELY well, what a difference!). Once the roof draft was gone I could then notice other drafts.

I have a feeling that if this was sealed off so that the cabin air flow didn't get stuck in that pocket and redirected at the driver/passengers faces it would mark another potential improvement in cold weather comfort.

Has anyone else noticed what I'm describing? Has anyone come up with an elegant and permanent way to have this corner pocket sealed so the air can't slip back in there? It's easy to shove something in there as a proof of concept, but since that's an opening window it's a bit more challenging to find something permanent.

Curious to hear other's input.

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[Fa_]

Hey did you figure out anything with this? I feel like the same cool air draft from the left top corner pocket of the driver’s window. Haven’t looked into that yet. But feel like it’s coming from there.

 

[Mach-Lee]

FYI I would recommend you get ceramic window film installed on the front windows because it will help reflect more heat back and reduce the cold drafts coming off the windows.

If it's -30ºC outside you will get some cold drafts.

 

[Fa_]

FYI I would recommend you get ceramic window film installed on the front windows because it will help reflect more heat back and reduce the cold drafts coming off the windows.

If it's -30ºC outside you will get some cold drafts.

It's been -20ish C here in Toronto area. I am thinking on getting the rain deflector installed, as it kind of covers that cold pocket on the outside of the window to avoid wind etc.

 

[Mach-Lee]

It's been -20ish C here in Toronto area. I am thinking on getting the rain deflector installed, as it kind of covers that cold pocket on the outside of the window to avoid wind etc.

Rain deflectors won't really help with that, they just add drag and decrease range.

 

[Fa_]

Any specific ceramic film on the front windows ? Should I go with tint?

 

[Mach-Lee]

Any specific ceramic film on the front windows ? Should I go with tint?

Get one that has excellent heat blocking properties. Such as 3M Crystalline or Llumar FormulaOne Pinnacle. Looks like Canada has some tinting laws so I'd probably go with a 70% film, 50% at the darkest.

I have a 50% ceramic film on mine and helps.

 

[Fa_]

Get one that has excellent heat blocking properties. Such as 3M Crystalline or Llumar FormulaOne Pinnacle. Looks like Canada has some tinting laws so I'd probably go with a 70% film, 50% at the darkest.

I have a 50% ceramic film on mine and helps.

We have mostly Xpel branded ones over here in the Toronto area. I am planning on Xpel XR with 30-35%.

 

[Fa_]

I am planning on getting the nano ceramic film installed for the front door windows someday next week once it gets a bit warmer here. I wonder if any of you guys have actually installed the film and felt any difference in winter?

 

[Mach-Lee]

I am planning on getting the nano ceramic film installed for the front door windows someday next week once it gets a bit warmer here. I wonder if any of you guys have actually installed the film and felt any difference in winter?

Yes, I have it on mine and it makes the cold window draft better. There is still going to be a cold draft, just less than without a film. I don't have anything on the back windows and reaching my hand back there is much colder at the window base.

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