This might sound kinda goofy but havew any of you folks ever noticed a wierd sound when you have the back windows down only? To me it seems like a low sound or vibration that is coming from air pressure in the car or something. Am I cracking up or what??:confused:

it sounds like a helicopter..I know what you mean..

Not sure what it is....but I have noticed a number of newer cars doing it...

you can lower either of the fronts a little (or open sunroof) and noise ususally goes away

Its the air pressure fluctuating inside the car as the air blows by

it sounds like a helicopter..I know what you mean..

yep that's it! I'm glad someone else noticed it too. I have had a lot of cars and trucks over the years and I have never experienced anything like this. At first I couldn't figure it out and quickly found out if I lowered the front window it went away. It was just so strange I wondered if anyone else had experienced it also. :thumb:

It was just so strange I wondered if anyone else had experienced it also. :thumb:

Every single HHR owner. ;) It was funny, when I took my first test drive the salesman was talking to me about how quiet the HHR is and giving me the whole quiet steel speech when he decided to roll down a window. He hit one of the back windows and the air buffeting kicked in so bad I couldn't even hear him. He quickly rolled the window back up and showed off how well the air conditioning worked. I had to chuckle to myself. :lol:

I traded in an Xterra on my HHR - it did the exact same noise when you rolled down the rear window. When I rolled down the HHR rear window I felt right at home.

As of yet, I haven't had the back windows down on mine.
I'll have to try this tonight on my way home.

Yeah, mine has the air buffeting thing going on also, but then again most of the cars I've driven over the past several years do this if the condition's right. You can usually make it go away by cracking open another window. But on the HHR it still does it more than other cars I've owned. Early cars with a "Wing Window's" didn't do this because the wing window broke up the air flow. They may not have been very aerodynamic back them, but at least it didn't do the buffeting thing....LOL

Not that the HHR is any more aerodynamic than let's say.....a BB... :D

Yeah, my Corvairs never did the air buffeting thing, but a lot of the newer cars I have driven do. Still drive Corvairs too, but not doing the daily driver thing as I did for years.
I drove older cars until 1989 when I got my first new car at age 28, a Ford Taurus SHO! IT did 150 MPH from the factory and handled like it was on rails. :bow: Had that car for 12 years, and no air buffeting.

Got a GMC Safari van and a Plymouth Voyager. Neither had the dreaded helicopter sound, likely because they had no back windows that opened in the traditional way.
Then our Saturn L300 Wagon gave me the best , most deafening rear window down serenade I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing!

The Vibe we just traded played an artillery opera as well when the rear windows went down.

Our HHR also excels in this area, but the loudest we have owned was the Saturn Wagon.
I'm guessing that the wing widows of old may have helped alleviate some of the potential for this air anomaly, but my Taurus had no such problem.
I guess modern designs are just this way by accident. Surely this is not an undisclosed "feature"?:confused:

Sound-wave Cavitation.

Thanks. I belive you have found the correct description/phrase :bow:

Either that or it is something bad which happens in a noisy prison! :eek:

Here is a photo page showing Photographs of different types of cavitation:

http://cavity.ce.utexas.edu/kinnas/cavphotos.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavitation
"Cavitation is the phenomenon where small and largely empty cavities are generated in a fluid, which expand to large size and then rapidly collapse, producing a sharp sound. Cavitation occurs in pumps, propellers, impellers, and in the vascular tissues of plants."

Seems to be mainly a fluid phenomenon, but gasses react in a similar way.

No, the correct term as used earlier is air buffeting or wind buffeting. ;)

http://www.deskeng.com/Articles/Applications/Reducing-Wind-Fatigue-and-Summer-Headaches-20041201213.html

No PT comments. :lol:

I stand corrected. I'll leave the Cavitation description and grab onto the air buffeting one.
Sounds like Chrysler engineers are showing some interest in this area. They could use it too. All the Chryslers I've ever driven have a lot of noise in comparison to GM and Ford. I've Owned some from every maker. Though my 1968 Satelite convertible was the quietest convertible I've ever owned. Go figure!:roll:

The money quote:
"It’s ironic that wind buffeting has become a significant factor in the overall passenger experience in recent years precisely because engineers have been so successful in reducing noise from other sources."

I still think front window vents would be cool and would likely aid in this arena, though they'd make significant noise ( they always do). When they went away in the early '70's I was saddened. Also, many of the cars of the era got "pillar-less" designs, having no pillar for the windows to channel into. Four door cars would look kind of cool when the windows were all rolled down, but the windows did not seat well with each other over time. It did make it easy to break into the car, but I would not call that a desirable feature:(

Back on the HHR front, I'd love to get the two rear side glasses motorized like my Plymouth Voyager's rear-most windows. Popping them out at the farthest rear and hinging them from the front would make for a usefull airflow ( since we have no "pull vents" like in the older cars) and it would likely stop the dreaded buffeting.

Popping them out at the farthest rear and hinging them from the front would make for a usefull airflow ( since we have no "pull vents" like in the older cars) and it would likely stop the dreaded buffeting.

That's a hell of an idea...

Wonder how hard it would be to do that....hmmmm....gonna have to look into that.

Its the air pressure fluctuating inside the car as the air blows by

Yup- my HHR does it, especially if it's only one rear window rolled down. It's a normal thing; my wife's Honda Pilot does it, and my Dodge Ram Crew cab that I had before my HHR did it, too. It goes away if you roll down a front window or two.

Sound-wave Cavitation.


I just made that up! :D

It just sounded so smart! :nuts:

I just made that up! :D

It just sounded so smart! :nuts:

Fooled me! :red: ;) And kinda works too!:thumb:
Anyway, the captain's link showed us that engineers are aware of this in the newer cars and I guess it was always there to some degree in all cars. It is just so refined now that it really takes on a life of its own.

I use it as a squelching device. That is I open a rear window ( Viva the power windows!) and envelop all in the auto-gyro air pockets of death if they displease me. It also works when it is time to change the conversation.:nono: :lol:

:thumb: Thank goodness . . . I thought it was just me! I'm glad to hear it's not just the HHR. I JUST got mine a few days ago and LOVE it! The ride is smooth and gas milage-wonderful! I am a little anxious about the PA winter roads but I had to get away from the big SUV's. The HHR drives like a sports car - a loud sports car if the back windows are down! But otherwise, it's great! Will window vents help this problem by changing the air flow? Has anyone tried it? Any picturues of how it would look?

Something I have noticed......If the front windows are down about 1/4, the inside pressure seems to change to where it "thumps". I have chronic sinus/ear problems and this really hurts. I think that the roof racks bars break-up the airflow which makes it lots worse. I like fresh air, but it's all or nothing. Anyone with similar problems? :confused:

I have noticed this, but it's when the rear windows are down.

Try Window Vents

Any one window down with the others up will cause this pressure imbalance and since my wife has had brain surgery and this condition really hurts her we are extremely careful to make sure that two or more windows are open at the same time.

Try Window Vents

I agree with BB..I have vent shades and no problem here.:smile:

SoCalHHR's MIke has a great explination for this.... helicopter effect.
Perhaps when he sees this he will chime in.

It has to do with the wheels. I have the window vents also but still experience the described above, just not as bad.

Helicopter effect...............now that would be a damned good description of the sound, and no, I don't have vents.

If you really want to experience it, leave the front windows closed and open both rear windows all the way.

my jetta did that too, but it hurt my ears bad enough to where i don't even want to try it in my hhr!

Something I have noticed......If the front windows are down about 1/4, the inside pressure seems to change to where it "thumps". I have chronic sinus/ear problems and this really hurts. I think that the roof racks bars break-up the airflow which makes it lots worse. I like fresh air, but it's all or nothing. Anyone with similar problems? :confused:

My Mazda Protege 5 did it was well. As I understand it has to do with air getting trapped in the longer back area of wagon-like vehicles. Sometimes a solution is to also lower the rear windows as well.

I have always found in any vehicle that if you open the windows with one side open more than the other, this problem goes away. i.e. both front windows open equally, and one rear window opened.

I found out the "LOUD" thumping noise the hard way. I was going about 65+ and I rolled the back 2 windows down and kept the 2 front windows up. **DO NOT TRY THIS!!** After I rolled them back up I seriously thought I blew out my eardrums because it hurt so bad.:cry: :cry:

If you really want to experience it, leave the front windows closed and open both rear windows all the way.
DON'T EVEN TRY
If you like your hearing at all and don't want a serious earache for the next couple of hours don't try this at home folks (pun intended). But in all seriousness don't try this it will hurt like H***, trust me I know, I tired it one day on the way home from work and it like to killed me. Mind you I like my music loud too, and it was UNBEARABLE, even with all 4 down and the sunroof open it was still louder than I could stand at 70 mph.

This is where the words "air buffeting" came about through the threads...

Hmmmmm....

Let's see. Pressure in.....pressure out (relieved). Sounds like that could be a worthwhile mod.

I believe, there is supposed to be some relief built in....probably not effective enough, however. My truck, had those vents that had a rubber one-way flap. When you closed the door, it allowed the "compacted" air to escape.

What is the louvered panel, on the passenger side, of the cargo area??

I have this problem only with the sunroof open and the windows all up. I have not tried the rear only down on the highway, yet. I'll try it at a slower speed just to see if its the same sound.

I have this problem only with the sunroof open and the windows all up. I have not tried the rear only down on the highway, yet. I'll try it at a slower speed just to see if its the same sound.

35 mph should be all that is needed.

:cool: I suspect I may not be the only one....? When I drive say above 30ish, with 2 or 3 windows partially open, I get this insessint throbbing in the interior of my lil'scooter. It's wickedly anoying and I'm trying to learn to tune it by opening different combinations of windows. I there a problem with some equalizervent , like in my silverado cab, that may be stuck shut. Or is this just another engineering nightmare ...?

Just open them a little more.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o132/pats50fan/smilies/welcome4.gif to the site!!!
Check out this thread: Window Noise (http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4823&highlight=helicopter)

:cool: I suspect I may not be the only one....? When I drive say above 30ish, with 2 or 3 windows partially open, I get this insessint throbbing in the interior of my lil'scooter. It's wickedly anoying and I'm trying to learn to tune it by opening different combinations of windows. I there a problem with some equalizervent , like in my silverado cab, that may be stuck shut. Or is this just another engineering nightmare ...?

This occurs with any vehicle that is wagon-like. I think it has to do with air forced into the car through the open windows getting "trapped" as it hits the inside rear of the car which is sort of a "container" catching wind.

Another reason why Chevy should make the rear windows tilt out like a minivans :thumb:

Another reason why Chevy should make the rear windows tilt out like a minivans :thumb:

Would solve the problem I bet. I had this same issue on my Mazda Protege 5...its rea windows did not open either.

:welcome: use ventvisors,

:welcome: use ventvisors,

what he said!!!;)

The only time I have this problem is when the rear windows are open. I just open a front window a little bit and the problem goes away. Had the same problem in my Dodge Ram Quad cab. Seems to be more of a prob with a squared shaped interior.

:welcome: use ventvisors,

I am not sure that would solve the problem if the windows are rolled down below the vent visor would it?

I'm not sure what exactly causes it, but MrVette is right. Having the rear windows open just a little causes the throbbing (I call it the "helicopter effect").
You have to have the rear windows open more than just cracked, and have the front windows down as well, or else you're going to experience the noise.

Hope it helps.

I just drove over 3000 miles to Texas and back and did not have any of the noise from wind. I have vent shades and I think that is why. It rained a few times and no worries of rain coming in the windows. I always drove my S-10 and other cars with the windows open but no visors and realize now I will never own another vehicle and not put vent shades on it.

Alan

In the thread a year ago the famous words are "Air Buffeting"

I actually can't think of a car I've ever had that this *didn't* happen...

Pretty much fact of life unless you have a convertable :D

Instead of the rear side windows, why not have the window in the rear hatch roll down like the old station wagons used to? That would allow us to put things inside and let the end stick out the back. It would also let us empty groceries from the back without opening the full hatch. And, finally, it will solve that problem with the wind.

I open the two front windows about an inch then the rear ones all the way so the dogs can get fresh it. It eliminates that feeling that your ear drums are about to burst.

Just watch out when you have the rear windows down and then try to close the Sun Roof..... I thought it was gonna rip the sun roof right out from the 'throbbing'

has anybody tried opening the rear windows ?....man last week i did!...i thought my head was gonna x-plode from the suction ....i have never owned a car that had this major flaw!!!!

Several threads relating to this............

STRANGE SOUND (http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2099)

WINDOW DOWN NOISE (http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8041)

My wife and I fight everytime we get on the highway and she insists on putting the rear windows down. The "helicopter effect" kills me because of sinus and ear problems. It's gonna bother my wife if she keeps putting the windows down. :mad:


:lol:

Yes, we too have had this loud noise. We went out for a drive the other night. At first we had all the windows down and it was great. Then my husband and I did up our windows and my one son did his up while the other was left open.

I thought my ear drums were going to explode! I couldn't believe the suction effect. Anyway, the solution is, we keep all windows down, even if a bit, but never just the back - can't stand the pressure on the old ears!:eek:

has anybody tried opening the rear windows ?....man last week i did!...i thought my head was gonna x-plode from the suction ....i have never owned a car that had this major flaw!!!!

It`s not a flaw,it`s Physics.:thumb:

Yeah, my Corvairs never did the air buffeting thing, but a lot of the newer cars I have driven do. Still drive Corvairs too, but not doing the daily driver thing as I did for years.
I drove older cars until 1989 when I got my first new car at age 28, a Ford Taurus SHO! IT did 150 MPH from the factory and handled like it was on rails. :bow: Had that car for 12 years, and no air buffeting.

Got a GMC Safari van and a Plymouth Voyager. Neither had the dreaded helicopter sound, likely because they had no back windows that opened in the traditional way.
Then our Saturn L300 Wagon gave me the best , most deafening rear window down serenade I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing!

The Vibe we just traded played an artillery opera as well when the rear windows went down.

Our HHR also excels in this area, but the loudest we have owned was the Saturn Wagon.
I'm guessing that the wing widows of old may have helped alleviate some of the potential for this air anomaly, but my Taurus had no such problem.
I guess modern designs are just this way by accident. Surely this is not an undisclosed "feature"?:confused:
BUT IT HURTS MY EARS TOO!!!.ITS LIKE A SUCTION ON MY EARDRUMS
MITCH

It Also Hurts My Ears.....

First off, :welcome: to the club Ginhead and icu2gel58. You will find a LOT of useful (and some not so useful) info here. A lot of very informative and fun people. So strap on and enjoy the ride.

:thumb: I am a little anxious about the PA winter roads but I had to get away from the big SUV's. The HHR drives like a sports car - a loud sports car if the back windows are down! But otherwise, it's great! Will window vents help this problem by changing the air flow? Has anyone tried it? Any picturues of how it would look?

As far as the winter roads in PA, Its not going to go like a truck through the snow, but it does ok. Where is Clarion, I'm in SE PA near Phila. As long as the roads only have a few inches of snow, you'll be ok. Did you get the running boards? They definitely help keeping the crap off the body. If you do have/get them, watch out for the water/snow/ice buildup inside the front of the front door jambs. I had a problem with a big lump of ice forming there and almost bent the front edge of the driver's door out.

As far as the helicopter effect, making the rear windows into tip outs should definitely fix the problem and even help with ventilation (imagine that) allowing the air to flow out rather than buffeting around inside the car.

BTW, Check out the Regional Forums there are all kinds of get togethers and other goings on. :twothumbs

Will window vents help this problem by changing the air flow? Has anyone tried it? Any picturues of how it would look?

Sorry for not doing this sooner.......
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/trip_j/welcomes/welcome-3.gif

Window vents do not help w/ this particular problem.:(

Sun roof does tho.......:smile: :lol: :p: :lol:

Sun roof does tho.......:smile: :lol: :p: :lol:

No, the sunroof is suppose to be used to help see the traffic lights!!:lol:

:thumb: :bow: :thumb:

Don't know how you 2 snuck by but http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o132/pats50fan/smilies/welcome4.gif to the site Ginhead and icu2gel58!!!

Don't know how you 2 snuck by Ginhead and icu2gel58!!!

Don't worry Dayton, you didn't miss icu......post 9 of car shopping tips (http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4863)

:D

Hello everyone,

New to the forum and the HHR:smile:

First let me say I am really impressed on all the information on this site! Nice to see this kind of following for the HHR.

Anyways, my main issue with our new HHR is a wind noise coming from the passenger side window when I put the drivers side window down. It sounds like a whistle or squeeling sound and it only happens at over about 40 mph. I can get it to stop if i roll down that window at least half way but Its WAY annoying.

I used the search function on the site and found a few posts that referred to others having this problem but couldn't find the actual post about it and a possible fix.

Thanks in advance!

Todd

Todd, I merged 4 threads together on this so if you start from the beginning, you'll get all caught up on this wind noise issue. :thumb:

:welcome:!

Todd, I merged 4 threads together on this so if you start from the beginning, you'll get all caught up on this wind noise issue. :thumb:

:welcome:!


I know the threads your refering too as I have read them already, but I'm not talking about the helocopter noise or the whistling coming from the mirrors.

Its comes from the rear passenger side door when the front window is open.

I didn't see a thread directed to this particular problem or a possible fix for it.

okie dokie..

I know the threads your refering too as I have read them already, but I'm not talking about the helocopter noise or the whistling coming from the mirrors.

Its comes from the rear passenger side door when the front window is open.

I didn't see a thread directed to this particular problem or a possible fix for it.
I haven't experienced the problem you describe, but it sounds like there is a gasket not sealing properly or the door is out of alignment. ... or
Wasn't there a thread or post somewhere where someone was having a similar problem with the driver's door (I think) :confused: and it turned out the door was a little warped and the window frame area needed to be bent just a little?
Not as ominous as it sounds...

Maybe one of our Searchbots can find something...:bow:

Maybe one of our Searchbots can find something...:bow:

Info posted in dvoffroad's other thread.:thumb:

Sorry, I had seen this one first. :roll: :thumb:

I have a 2001 Buick Century that generates the same noise with the back windows down. Never encountered that problem with previous cars. Good to know that when I get my HHR I will already know that this is normal.

First, let me thank those who began this site!!! Every vehicle should have one. Most excellent!!!
Now back to the issue at hand. Nearly scared me to death! Kids in the back decided they needed their windows down driving down the interstate. When the windows were just slightly open, I thought one, or both of my rear wheels was going to fall off! By the time the windows got all the way down, we thought our heads were going to explode. :eek: Those in this post who have said, "don't try this at home", are absolutely right. I'd be surprised if people haven't been hurt. NEVER have I had an experience like this, much less in a vehicle. I love my little red LS AA5, but I ain't never doing that again!!!