Strange sound
Senior Member
Joined: 07-21-2006
Posts: 1,708
From: Ft Walton Bch FL
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-19-2005
Posts: 20,687
From: Miami
Senior Member
Joined: 12-28-2005
Posts: 2,531
From: Worcester County, MA
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. 
Member
Joined: 04-26-2007
Posts: 75
From: Ontario, Canada
Ouch!
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!
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!
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2006
Posts: 266
From: kankakee, IL
Joined: 06-09-2007
Posts: 5
From: florida
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.
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"?
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.
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"?
MITCH
Senior Member
Joined: 08-18-2006
Posts: 1,036
From: Hatboro, PA
First off, 
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.
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
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. 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 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