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Odd noise when driving with back windows down?

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:10 am
by mysaygrace
Has anyone else noticed an odd noise when driving with their back windows down? It's so annoying that I feel like my ears are going to pop and I can't hear anything but the weird noise of the air coming in the back windows, it's not so bad when all the windows are down but when the front ones are up and the two back ones are down it's so loud?! I wish I could explain it better, and I wasn't even sure which topic this would even fit under. All I can think of is it must be the aerodynamics of the Vibe...

Re: Odd noise when driving with back windows down? (mysaygrace)

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:21 am
by Kamikaze
Yep, I either have to crack open a front window so equal out the pressure, or if you have it, open the sunroof.

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:42 am
by Sublimewind
It's called "chuffing" and it's caused by acoustic waves being formed inside of the cabin... If you do it just right, you can watch the front door panels move about 1/2" lol.. It's the same concept as a bandpass subwoofer enclosure.. cept you are inside of it.. lol.

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:05 am
by northvibe
yup had that on the vibe bad, the ms3 had it just slightly. I would put the back windows down then crack one of the front ones and it wasnt as bad.

Re: (northvibe)

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:13 am
by BlueCrush
MmmmmHmmm.....If you have a sunrooof, tilt it open to get rid of the wind shudder, if not crack a front window.

Re: (BlueCrush)

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:54 am
by KrazyB
Yep I have noticed this also, my daughter like me to do it she says she feels like she is in a helicopter. That is what it sounds like to us.

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:33 am
by Kincaid
I had not run this way yet with my Vibe, but had the same thing on a '93 Ford Escort wagon and a 2001 Accord. Oddly enough, my '97 Civic doesn't do it.

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:40 am
by mysaygrace
OH thank goodness, I'm not going crazy then.... YES, it does sound like a helicopter, can't wait to scare the crap out of hubby the next time I have him in the car I'm going to put down the back windows and pretend I don't hear it?!!! Gotta have a lil fun where I can!

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:37 pm
by Kincaid
lol

Re: (mysaygrace)

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:03 am
by vibolista
A great way to use up some extra gasoline, while sucking out your ear drums. too. LOL!!! Ouch.

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:45 pm
by markt484
FINALLY!!!! people who understand... lol. I have been having the same sensation... and never knew the correct terminology for it. Thank you!

Re: Odd noise when driving with back windows down? (mysaygrace)

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:49 pm
by ghostpuppy
You can also make it happen with all the windows up but the moonroof completely open. Put the car around 25-35 then reach up and pull that plastic spring loaded bar down that pops up when the glass slides back. As far as I can tell the only purpose of that piece of plastic is to stop the chuffing phenomena.

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:18 am
by B14CK_H4WK
yeah we actually called the dealer and they said its a aerodynamic design flaw but i heard it happens with many cars. some people cant hear it which sounds crazy cause it feels like your ears are going to blow out.

Re: (markt484)

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:28 am
by Blueridge9
Quote, originally posted by markt484 »FINALLY!!!! people who understand... lol. I have been having the same sensation... and never knew the correct terminology for it. Thank you!Me too!