Whole car vibrates like crazy when I roll down windows?

Hummerzebe · 07-31-2006, 07:46 PM

Just got my 2006 Prius with less than 100 miles on it. While driving home at 60 mph I decided to try the electric windows. Didn't matter which one I tried, the whole car began vibrating strongly when the windows were rolled down. Anyone else have this problem? I haven't read through the manual but is there a caution to not roll down the windows when driving highway speeds??

wstander · 07-31-2006, 08:00 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hummerzebe @ Jul 31 2006, 04:46 PM) [snapback]295397[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Just got my 2006 Prius with less than 100 miles on it. While driving home at 60 mph I decided to try the electric windows. Didn't matter which one I tried, the whole car began vibrating strongly when the windows were rolled down. Anyone else have this problem? I haven't read through the manual but is there a caution to not roll down the windows when driving highway speeds??
[/b]

Rolling down the windows disturbs the well crafted airflow (aerodynamics). 'Tis best not to do that:-)

Try this: Open the opposite rear window and the driver's window, this at least allows exiting air to flow through. If you could open the rear hatch window, there would most likely be a better flow. But then, you may also get some exhaust fumes;-)

Trevor · 07-31-2006, 08:11 PM

There are a few other threads on this issue. It's not limited to happening in the Prius. This should get you to one of the older threads Open window noise thread

marjam · 07-31-2006, 08:12 PM

Almost any car will create that drumming effect if only one or two of the rear windows are open but not the front. Your ear drums feel the effects of the increased pressure. If you want the rear windows down open one of the front windows a little and the pressure will go away. If you open all the windows you might get blow out of the car! There have been discussions for years about open windows vs. A/C for saving gas. Most that I have read say that any car is more efficient with the windows up and the A/C on than with the windows down. Some here have disagreed with this.

As stated above opening opposite windows also eliminates the problem at high speeds.

hobbit · 07-31-2006, 10:56 PM

Think "organ pipe"
.
_H*

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 07-31-2006, 11:11 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Jul 31 2006, 07:56 PM) [snapback]295490[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Think "organ pipe"[/b]

Think Hillbilly playing a jug.

http://www.owen.k12.ky.us/oces/jobanion/sound.htm

Well, you are sittin' inside that jug.

randreed · 07-31-2006, 11:30 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hummerzebe @ Jul 31 2006, 07:46 PM) [snapback]295397[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Just got my 2006 Prius with less than 100 miles on it. While driving home at 60 mph I decided to try the electric windows. Didn't matter which one I tried, the whole car began vibrating strongly when the windows were rolled down. Anyone else have this problem? I haven't read through the manual but is there a caution to not roll down the windows when driving highway speeds??
[/b]

With both rear windows open and the front ones closed at about 70MPH creates the sound that I'm SURE I heard at a Pink Floyd concert!

V8Cobrakid · 07-31-2006, 11:58 PM

i've learned to crack the front windows almost an inch..the rear.. 3 inches.. never on highway though. that's what A/C is for. this configuration ont he windows creats a nice neutral feel as air is sucked in the rear windows and out the driver and passenger front windows. useful is someone smokes in a car. never in my car though.

DougSlug · 08-01-2006, 07:58 PM

In scientific terms, the cabin of your car becomes a Helmholtz resonator (flow-induced acoustic resonator).

More here:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Acoustics/Flo...holtz_resonator

- Doug

rufaro · 08-07-2006, 02:41 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy @ Jul 31 2006, 08:11 PM) [snapback]295498[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Think Hillbilly playing a jug.

http://www.owen.k12.ky.us/oces/jobanion/sound.htm

Well, you are sittin' inside that jug.

[/b]

Sit back and enjoy... :P

07-31-2006, 08:12 PM	#4
marjam Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 220 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Almost any car will create that drumming effect if only one or two of the rear windows are open but not the front. Your ear drums feel the effects of the increased pressure. If you want the rear windows down open one of the front windows a little and the pressure will go away. If you open all the windows you might get blow out of the car! There have been discussions for years about open windows vs. A/C for saving gas. Most that I have read say that any car is more efficient with the windows up and the A/C on than with the windows down. Some here have disagreed with this. As stated above opening opposite windows also eliminates the problem at high speeds. __________________ marjam

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07-31-2006, 07:46 PM	#1
Hummerzebe Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ridgecrest. CA Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Just got my 2006 Prius with less than 100 miles on it. While driving home at 60 mph I decided to try the electric windows. Didn't matter which one I tried, the whole car began vibrating strongly when the windows were rolled down. Anyone else have this problem? I haven't read through the manual but is there a caution to not roll down the windows when driving highway speeds??

07-31-2006, 08:11 PM	#3
Trevor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 334 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 1	There are a few other threads on this issue. It's not limited to happening in the Prius. This should get you to one of the older threads Open window noise thread

07-31-2006, 10:56 PM	#5
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 3,619 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 216 Times in 118 Posts Friends: 0	Think "organ pipe" . _H*

07-31-2006, 11:58 PM	#8
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	i've learned to crack the front windows almost an inch..the rear.. 3 inches.. never on highway though. that's what A/C is for. this configuration ont he windows creats a nice neutral feel as air is sucked in the rear windows and out the driver and passenger front windows. useful is someone smokes in a car. never in my car though.

08-01-2006, 07:58 PM	#9
DougSlug Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 115 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	In scientific terms, the cabin of your car becomes a Helmholtz resonator (flow-induced acoustic resonator). More here: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Acoustics/Flo...holtz_resonator - Doug