Drive with back window open?

OB Tom

New member
Dec 24, 2024
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San Diego, CA
I want to be able to carry my surfboard and maybe some 2X4s from Home Depot by sicking the ends out of the rear window. If I try that I get a very loud warning and a Dashboard message. Is there someway I can turn off the warning? It never was a problem with my 4Runner.
 
Did you try to disable the rear back up sensor. There is a button on the left side of dash with a "cone" on it. Not sure if it uses the upper camera. Maybe that's quick check.
 
...and maybe some 2X4s from Home Depot by sicking the ends out of the rear window.
There's not much need for surfboards here in upstate NY but I want to be able able to load 2x4s once I get my OT. That is one of the reasons I ordered one. I'll be following this thread to see if there is a fix.
 
Thanks for the suggestion but I still have the problem.

I pushed the swich with the cone (picrure 1) and that turns off the parking support brake so you can bake up to hitch a trailer (picture 2). When the glass hatch is open i get a loud alert and the message shown in picture 3. I can't figure out what the message is asking me to do. The back button on the steering wheel does nothing.
 

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Fixed it with a jury rig. I use a screwdriver to force the inside of the latch closed and the warning goes away. Pushing the open button returns it to normal operation. BTW, the manual has over two full pages about not leaving the window open.
 
They warn you because exhaust gases can get sucked into the cabin through the open rear window. Leave a couple side windows open an inch and you "should" be fine.
 
the amount of exhaust in comparison to the amount of air moving past the car is basically nothing lol.

Move some lumber in a pinch go for it, heck I used to do the same to move 10 foot moulding doing the same thing.

Going surfing often? Ya I’d get a rack.
 
What sucks is that the world we live in now is such that there has to be 2 pages in the owner's manual warning you not to drive with the back window open because some exhaust gas might make its way into the cabin. Wouldn't it be a better world if the manual just said it's not recommended but pop your side windows open a bit just to be safe if you go for it?

Hell, the car manuals used to list the steps for adjusting your carburetor. If a car manufacturer did that now they'd get sued into oblivion for getting people's hands dirty. Not that there are any carbs anymore anyway.
 
I wonder how the new 6th Gen 4RUNNER manual will handle the the retractable hatch glass. LeVing that cracked open should present the same or similar issue. New owners will be upset if the glass doesn't go down when driving.
 
I’ve driven with the rear window hatch open several times. I get the warning. I hit OK on the steering wheel and the driver’s display says the warning is temporarily deactivated, no more fuss.
 
I've tried hitting OK, but it doesn't seem to work. Actually, hitting the OK on the dash is more dangerous while driving than driving with the back window open. I have roof racks and usually put my surfboard and other long items on the rack, but sometimes using the open back window works best.
 
I wonder how the new 6th Gen 4RUNNER manual will handle the the retractable hatch glass. LeVing that cracked open should present the same or similar issue. New owners will be upset if the glass doesn't go down when driving.
Anyone know how the current 4R handles it? I assume it would be the same, popping up a warning or something.
 

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