Is it legal?

[Alby]

to drive with the back hatch top half back window open?

today when driving i saw two cars do it and wondered. and no, they were not carrying any cargo that were oversized that required them to do so.

[wnderinguy]

Don't think it illegal.Its not a good idea because the exhaust fumes will get sucked back into the vehicle,not sure if they have their side windows open if it'll gas the driver/passenger still.

[PACER]

I take you are refering to something like a 4Runner that has a rear window that can be rolled down. Old station wagons etc....

If so yes it is legal.... There is nothing that I am aware of in the MVA that would prohibit this.

But driving with a lift gate or sliding door open is illegal.

[SumAznGuy]

The way I interpret what he wrote, it is either a 92-95 style Civic hatchback where the glass folds up while the door is still closed.
Or an 89-93 style 240SX where the hatch is left open.

[skidmark]

Just watch out for exhaust gas entering the passenger compartment because it is open. My Suburban owner's manual told me not to.

[PACER]

Originally Posted by SumAznGuy

The way I interpret what he wrote, it is either a 92-95 style Civic hatchback where the glass folds up while the door is still closed.
Or an 89-93 style 240SX where the hatch is left open.

I would suspect that they are also ok.... as long as only the window portion opens I can not think of a law that prohibits this.... Kind of like a rear window in a pick up or the cadilc where the entire back of the cab opens.

[underscore]

if the glass sticks out too far doesn't that count as something that has to be flagged (similar to having a ladder stick out the back). whats the length/distance requirement for that