3 Signs That a Vehicle's Weatherstripping Needs to Be Replaced

Vehicles today have an extensive system of weatherstripping to serve a variety of tasks. Weatherstripping is installed to reduce outside noise provide a quieter ride and keep water and outside contaminants from entering the vehicle as well as insulating the interior air climate.

When weatherstripping weakens or fails a number of things may occur including the following:

• The ride may become louder and more uncomfortable. The increased noise level may be anywhere from an annoyance to an unsafe condition;
• Air leaking from improper weatherstripping will cause the heating or air conditioning to work harder and less efficiently. This condition could lead to premature failure;
• Water, snow, ice, or other contaminants could leak through poor weatherstripping to the interior of the vehicle and cause damage to carpeting or flooring. Water may also run through weatherstripping and settle on a door or window frame causing corrosion to the vehicle body.

These potential problems are why it is a good maintenance practice to determine the condition of the vehicle’s weatherstripping and take corrective measures as needed. There are several tests that can be performed to check its condition.

1. A Visual Inspection

Each door, window, trunk, cargo door, and sunroof will be sealed by weatherstripping. It will be a rubber or vinyl strip running along the perimeter of the opening. Look for cracks, tears, or flat spots along the length of the perimeter. do this inspection for all doors and windows. The trunk and sunroof are areas often neglected in this inspection and should not be forgotten.

2. The Bounce Back Test

After a visual inspection is performed, press a finger along each piece of weatherstripping at intervals. A tool may also be used instead of a finger as long as it is rounded or blunt. A knife or flat screwdriver may tear the stripping so use it with care. Good weatherstripping will bounce back to its original form. This is because the weatherstripping material is designed to be pliant. Its suppleness is used to seal the door or window opening. If the material remains depressed, it will fail to seal. A conditioner or restorer may be used to soften the material to its original condition but if it does not work, the stripping should be replaced.

3 The Dollar Bill Test

Take a crisp dollar bill, place it halfway into the door or window, and then close it. Then attempt to pull the dollar bill out. If the dollar bill cannot be moved or requires a decent amount of pressure to remove it, the seal is good. Being able to slide or pull the bill out with ease indicates a gap in the seal.

Fortunately, replacements for worn-out or damaged weatherstripping are available. A vendor should provide specific stripping for the vehicle. It can also provide the right glues, caulks, and other adhesives to make installation an easy process. Installation can often be performed by the owner or a qualified technician may be retained. Either method of installation will make the vehicle quieter, more comfortable, and less likely to rust or corrode in the future.