Cat Causes Crash
FT. MEYERS, Florida- A feral cat jumped through a soccer mom's minivan window and caused her to crash through a wall, then into a swimming pool. Ben Finkelstein was sitting on his patio when Leda Alpert came crashing in. "Never saw anything like it. You should have seen those kids scramble out. Sadie (Mrs. Finkelstein) gave 'em towels and bagels and they settled down." The feral cat escaped, too. "We've got to get that thing now that my wall is down. I've got no protection."

 

A snorkel might have helped a little.

 

That's why I do drive with them down, at least in my disco. Electric windows don't typically work too well underwater.
Well, come to think of it, my Disco is the only car I have that doesn't have sliding windows.

 

They tested that on MythBusters, and 12v electric windows work just as well under water as they do on dry land.
Now AC current is another story.

 

lol... thats an old internet picture, not sure if that is the actual story that goes with it, but if it is then thats awesome...

 

It would be nice to find that on the mythbusters web site, but I can't, even though there are quite a few people who reference it when you do a google search. I did fine that Top Gear found just the opposite when they tested them.
I did find mythbusters tried to open both manual and electric windows but did it by laying a car on its side and putting 350lbs of sand bags on the window (supposedly to mimic the pressure the water would exert) but that's not a valid test IMO.
In any case, the motors would work ok, but the ECU's are doubtful IMO.

 

You have a good point about the ECU.
They did several tests with the windows, and one was with the car door from a Tarus under water, it was in a kiddy pool with a car battery hooked up to the wire harness, so no ECU was involved.
Personally I just dont worry about it, my debt was paid 2,000 years ago so when its time its time.

 

Women drivers.....