Wind turbulence/wind booming while driving with the windows down?

deliciousirony · 07-15-2007, 12:56 PM

Hi,
I hope this is the correct place to ask this question.

I have always been very interested in the Prius.
On a trip to LA, I rented one for a week. I loved it. But there was one thing that really bothered me...

While driving with the driver's side window down, above 25 mph, the wind turbulence inside the car was very bad. In fact, the wind made a loud 'booming' sound periodically, about once per second, depending on speed.

I tried different combinations of rolling down other windows etc to try to counteract it. but no avail. I suspect it might be an artifact of the aerodynamic design of the car.

I'd love one of these cars, but I'd hate to have to drive it with the windows up all the time (and possibly have to use the AC, which where I live, you never need AC - just roll down the windows if it gets too hot). And I love driving w/ the driver's window down for some reason.

I tried searching around for this phenomenon, but I couldn't find anything (maybe I was not using the right keywords). So is this an known issue? Anyway to correct it? (maybe some sort of wind deflector on the door?)

Thank you.

Godiva · 07-15-2007, 01:03 PM

I've driven with the windows down over 25 and haven't noticed a "booming". But the wind does whip around. I usually don't have more than one down and usually not more than half because the car is so aerodynamic the wind does whip inside. I don't like a lot of wind buffeting me. (And messing up my hair).

For fuel economy no one usually drives with the windows down over 40 mph anyway.

I don't think the window deflectors will help much. I think that's mostly so you can crack the window when it rains.

qbee42 · 07-15-2007, 01:14 PM

Most modern aerodynamic cars have problems with open windows when driving at speed (anything other than dead slow). This is because the open window or windows disrupt an otherwise very smooth airflow, setting up a low frequency oscillation (booming). Often you can find a configuration that will minimize this effect. With the Prius, I find that opening the back windows half way will allow one or both front windows to be opened without the booming effect. You may have to play around a bit to find the configuration that works the best for you, but it's not hard to do.

Tom

FL_Prius_Driver · 07-15-2007, 01:19 PM

I do all my driving (except in rain) with the windows down. The booming is always due to one of the rear windows being down with the front windows mostly up. I have experimented a lot. For least turbulance. Have the drivers side window down and the window just behind it partially down. For good turbulance have the front window down and the rear window up or mostly up. For really distracting oscillations, have the rear window down with the front window up, or mostly up.

deliciousirony · 07-15-2007, 01:21 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jul 15 2007, 10:14 AM) [snapback]479133[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Most modern aerodynamic cars have problems with open windows when driving at speed (anything other than dead slow). This is because the open window or windows disrupt an otherwise very smooth airflow, setting up a low frequency oscillation (booming). Often you can find a configuration that will minimize this effect. With the Prius, I find that opening the back windows half way will allow one or both front windows to be opened without the booming effect. You may have to play around a bit to find the configuration that works the best for you, but it's not hard to do.

Tom
[/b]

Thanks, Tom. I suspected as much. I only had the car a week, so I didn't really try playing around w/ window configurations that much.

Glad to hear this booming can be alleviated.

KD6HDX · 07-15-2007, 01:24 PM

I notice the wind buffeting sound too. I roll down the drivers window a little bit, and also roll down the opposite side rear window a little.(the other two opposite side windows are up) This combo eliminates the buffeting sound. If I roll down one of the two windows too much, the sound returns when highway speeds increase. Also, I believe having the outside air vent open helps somewhat, as opposed to the recirculate position selected. Even if its real hot outside, I will roll all the windows down when I am sitting at a stop light. Hot weather doesn't bother me much, I actually like it. On the other hand humidity and heat will usually cause me to run the AC on AUTO with the temp controls just cool enough to feel the effect of air conditioning.

No wind deflectors installed here.....

Rae Vynn · 07-15-2007, 02:50 PM

I did put the deflectors on mine, and I think it helps a little.

AOV · 07-15-2007, 03:43 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delicious Irony @ Jul 15 2007, 12:56 PM) [snapback]479126[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi,
I hope this is the correct place to ask this question.

I have always been very interested in the Prius.
On a trip to LA, I rented one for a week. I loved it. But there was one thing that really bothered me...

While driving with the driver's side window down, above 25 mph, the wind turbulence inside the car was very bad. In fact, the wind made a loud 'booming' sound periodically, about once per second, depending on speed.

I tried different combinations of rolling down other windows etc to try to counteract it. but no avail. I suspect it might be an artifact of the aerodynamic design of the car.

I'd love one of these cars, but I'd hate to have to drive it with the windows up all the time (and possibly have to use the AC, which where I live, you never need AC - just roll down the windows if it gets too hot). And I love driving w/ the driver's window down for some reason.

I tried searching around for this phenomenon, but I couldn't find anything (maybe I was not using the right keywords). So is this an known issue? Anyway to correct it? (maybe some sort of wind deflector on the door?)

Thank you.
[/b]

From what I read recently....a sunroof would take care of your dilemma!

Randy G. · 07-15-2007, 07:47 PM

PT Cruisers have the same issue. In the owners manual it tells you about it and recommends that you lower one of the rear windows slightly to cure the problem.

The phenomina was described to me like this...it's as if you are sitting in a bass pipe of a pipe organ. Wind enters the open window and creates a low frequency "whistle."

Interesting stuff. The PT and Prius share one thing, they are both a musical instrument (sort of).

NoMoShocks · 07-15-2007, 08:23 PM

I have heard objectional wind turbulents while driving my 07 with a window down, but nothing I would call booming, and nothing that wasn't minimized by lowering the oposite rear window a couple inches. I think you should try the window thing out on a test drive of a new Prius to see if it may have been a unique problem with the rental.

07-15-2007, 01:14 PM	#3
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,556 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Most modern aerodynamic cars have problems with open windows when driving at speed (anything other than dead slow). This is because the open window or windows disrupt an otherwise very smooth airflow, setting up a low frequency oscillation (booming). Often you can find a configuration that will minimize this effect. With the Prius, I find that opening the back windows half way will allow one or both front windows to be opened without the booming effect. You may have to play around a bit to find the configuration that works the best for you, but it's not hard to do. Tom __________________ *Black* 2006 package #7 Northern Michigan

07-15-2007, 01:24 PM	#6
KD6HDX Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chino Hills,CA Posts: 185 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I notice the wind buffeting sound too. I roll down the drivers window a little bit, and also roll down the opposite side rear window a little.(the other two opposite side windows are up) This combo eliminates the buffeting sound. If I roll down one of the two windows too much, the sound returns when highway speeds increase. Also, I believe having the outside air vent open helps somewhat, as opposed to the recirculate position selected. Even if its real hot outside, I will roll all the windows down when I am sitting at a stop light. Hot weather doesn't bother me much, I actually like it. On the other hand humidity and heat will usually cause me to run the AC on AUTO with the temp controls just cool enough to feel the effect of air conditioning. No wind deflectors installed here..... __________________ 100,000 miles and still running strong..carpool stickers since august 2005...whoo-hoo

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07-15-2007, 12:56 PM	#1
deliciousirony Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi, I hope this is the correct place to ask this question. I have always been very interested in the Prius. On a trip to LA, I rented one for a week. I loved it. But there was one thing that really bothered me... While driving with the driver's side window down, above 25 mph, the wind turbulence inside the car was very bad. In fact, the wind made a loud 'booming' sound periodically, about once per second, depending on speed. I tried different combinations of rolling down other windows etc to try to counteract it. but no avail. I suspect it might be an artifact of the aerodynamic design of the car. I'd love one of these cars, but I'd hate to have to drive it with the windows up all the time (and possibly have to use the AC, which where I live, you never need AC - just roll down the windows if it gets too hot). And I love driving w/ the driver's window down for some reason. I tried searching around for this phenomenon, but I couldn't find anything (maybe I was not using the right keywords). So is this an known issue? Anyway to correct it? (maybe some sort of wind deflector on the door?) Thank you.

07-15-2007, 01:19 PM	#4
FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,199 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I do all my driving (except in rain) with the windows down. The booming is always due to one of the rear windows being down with the front windows mostly up. I have experimented a lot. For least turbulance. Have the drivers side window down and the window just behind it partially down. For good turbulance have the front window down and the rear window up or mostly up. For really distracting oscillations, have the rear window down with the front window up, or mostly up.

07-15-2007, 02:50 PM	#7
Rae Vynn Resident Witch Join Date: May 2007 Location: Grays Harbor, WA, USA Posts: 2,643 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 52	I did put the deflectors on mine, and I think it helps a little.

07-15-2007, 07:47 PM	#9
Randy G. Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 24 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	PT Cruisers have the same issue. In the owners manual it tells you about it and recommends that you lower one of the rear windows slightly to cure the problem. The phenomina was described to me like this...it's as if you are sitting in a bass pipe of a pipe organ. Wind enters the open window and creates a low frequency "whistle." Interesting stuff. The PT and Prius share one thing, they are both a musical instrument (sort of).

07-15-2007, 08:23 PM	#10
NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 1,024 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have heard objectional wind turbulents while driving my 07 with a window down, but nothing I would call booming, and nothing that wasn't minimized by lowering the oposite rear window a couple inches. I think you should try the window thing out on a test drive of a new Prius to see if it may have been a unique problem with the rental.