The 2021 Chevy Silverado Offers Manual Crank Windows
Genevieve Fraser
· 3 min read
If you're feeling a little nostalgic and you're in the market for a new
pickup truck
, you're in luck.In a nod to simpler times,
Chevy
offers manual crank windows on some of their 2021 Silverado models.Make no mistake, the 2021 Chevy Silverado is a modern truck
While you might expect a vehicle with manual windows to be pared down, that's not the case with the
Chevy Silverado
1500.This truck still has all the modern touches you'd expect in today's vehicles. According to
Chevrolet
, USB ports, Bluetooth, StabiliTrak electronic stability and traction control system, and a backup camera all come standard.And, this truck is available in eight different colors, including the eye-catching Red Hot.
If you want to reminisce like it's 1990, you'll need to bring your own CD player or cassette tape deck, as this truck has a touchscreen Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System.
The understated benefits of manual windows
Manual windows are more than just a publicity stunt or a way to keep new truck prices down.
In today's high-tech world, these unplugged features are a refreshingly retro move.
According to
The Drive
, manual windows come standard on the two-door regular cab Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500 HD, and Silverado 3500 HD (which you can customize to feature both manual and power you want).Once you start getting fancy with trim options, you'll be looking exclusively at power windows.
Power windows can save you some elbow grease and they make drive-thrus a breeze.
However, these types of windows do have their drawbacks.
If your power window gets stuck in the closed position—or worse, while wide open—you could be looking at an expensive repair bill.
Fixing power windows may mean
software or electrical issues
, and are not your basic backyard mechanic car repairs
.So while you may find manual windows to be a nuisance, they do have their benefits.
The surprising history of power windows
If you asked most people when they thought power windows were invented, we'd bet most would guess 1970s or even early '80s.
MotorBiscuit
explains that this was roughly the era when power windows and locks became standard in new cars.But surprisingly, this technology dates all the way back to the World War II era.
According to
Car and Driver
, the 1941 Packard 180 was the first car to feature power windows. They used an electric-switch powered hydraulic mechanism.That means power windows were around before the vast majority of homes even had a TV set!
By 1951, the Chrysler Imperial also had power windows, and these were fully electric. But it still took several decades for hand crank windows to be replaced by power ones en masse.
Even though you might be used to power windows, it shouldn't stop you from considering a Chevy Silverado with manual cranks for your next truck.
No matter what type of windows your vehicle has, you’ll need to protect them with
car insurance
. The AI-powered Jerry
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