With the “Beast from the East” a fading memory, no doubt window regulators will have felt the strain during this cold period. Trying to operate the window during freezing conditions is the number one cause of failure as ice build-up on the windows can put additional stress on the motor, in turn this can damage the nylon gears which can crack and break. Cables are also likely to get damaged with the added stress cold weather puts on the internal mechanism.

Just as cold weather affects you, it also affects your vehicle. Window regulators have lubricants in the motor and cable drive to aid proper function. In colder weather these lubricants lose viscosity and the drives become less efficient because they require more energy to turn.

A lubricants primary attribute that affects it use/performance is viscosity, so it’s important to understand how temperature affects your lubricants—because it does. Viscosity is the measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow (its thickness). Essentially, the thicker the fluid is, the more “resistance to flow” it will demonstrate. A good example of this is honey: when you heat it up, it becomes incredibly easy to pour. But if you chill it, it thickens—good luck pouring it out of the jar.

In cold temperatures, your car’s fluids actually change in viscosity: they become more thicker. This includes your oil, antifreeze, and other lubricating fluids.

Now is the perfect time to replace your window regulator, with the ups and downs of the British summer fast approaching, your window regulators are likely to be in need of a little TLC. Here at FAI we offer a wide range of window regulators for an ever-increasing number of vehicle applications. Newly added we have the WR325, WR326, WR327, WR328, WR329 and the WR330 for popular BMW, MINI AND SEAT applications.

FAI	OE Number	Make & Model	Year	Pos.	Doors
WR325	51337165595	BMW 1 Series  E81	06-13	FL	2
WR326	51337165596	BMW 1 Series  E81	06-13	FR	2
WR327	51332756083	MINI R56,R57	07-15	FL	2
WR328	51332756084	MINI R56,R57	07-15	FR	2
WR329	5P0837461	SEAT Altea, Toledo lll	04-09	FL	4
WR330	5P0837462	SEAT Altea, Toledo lll	04-09	FR	4

OE numbers are for reference purposes only.