Window Deflectors

jhall · 11-27-2007, 04:58 AM

I get some pretty annoying booming repetitive wind noise when my rear windows are rolled down.
If I crack open one of the front windows, this noise goes away.
Does anyone know if the Weathertech Window Deflectors solves this issue? Or any other way of solving this issue? Does it hit (or help) the MPG at all?

hwalker911 · 11-27-2007, 05:49 AM

I have the weathertech on my 2006, and still get that booming sound with just one window down. Good luck.

qbee42 · 11-27-2007, 10:20 AM

The Prius, like other aerodynamic cars, has trouble with airflow oscillations over open windows. It's part of the price you pay for getting good mileage. It's also a good reminder of why you get better mileage at speed with the windows closed. If you do insist on driving at speed with open windows, I find it works well to open the back windows about half way down, then adjust the front windows as needed. It takes a little playing around to get it right, but you can eliminate most of the booming.

Tom

jhall · 11-27-2007, 10:58 AM

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I figured it was just one of those things that comes with being aerodynamic.

Most of my driving is with the windows up, but my kids often want the windows down in the back seats if we go on road trips.

So currently I have to roll down my driver seat window a bit to get rid of the boom, which is OK, but I was hoping some type of mod would resolve it (problems are supposed to go away if you throw money at them, aren't they?

).

David Beale · 11-27-2007, 11:42 AM

Even non-aerodynamic vehicles boom. The anti-Prius, for example, did (it was a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, definitely not aerodynamic). You are making a whistle when you open a side window. The whistle resonates at a very low frequency (a few Hz) because the volume of the car is so large. The vehicle I owned before the anti-Prius was a 1990 4Runner. It would also boom, but I could stop it by opening the hatch glass an inch or so (power rear window). It "leaked" out the air and damped the resonance.

My side window deflectors (the other brand sold by Toyota as a Toyota part here in Canada) have no effect on mileage that I have been able to discern. When the windows are only down a bit - that is, still at least at the level of the lowest point of the deflector, there is no booming and not too much wind noise.

hyo silver · 11-27-2007, 09:05 PM

No, the window deflectors won't help for that problem. They're great for opening the windows a bit in the rain without getting wet, but the air still booms. I'm not sure how much more of a problem this is on a slippery car, because my 1966 Plymouth had the same issue - among others - and it was most definitely not aerodynamic. I've had other cars with little triangle windows either front or back that could be opened, and they were wonderful for being able to vent the cabin without any buffeting. Maybe the rear porthole windows on the 2010 Prius could have hinges, weather seals, and a dash button to pop them open and closed?...hint...hint. Come to think of it, they'd be good for venting excess heat while parked, too.

jbondman871 · 11-28-2007, 11:40 AM

Does anyone know if they have a set of deflectors that will fit on the 01?

11-27-2007, 11:42 AM	#5
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,551 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Even non-aerodynamic vehicles boom. The anti-Prius, for example, did (it was a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, definitely not aerodynamic). You are making a whistle when you open a side window. The whistle resonates at a very low frequency (a few Hz) because the volume of the car is so large. The vehicle I owned before the anti-Prius was a 1990 4Runner. It would also boom, but I could stop it by opening the hatch glass an inch or so (power rear window). It "leaked" out the air and damped the resonance. My side window deflectors (the other brand sold by Toyota as a Toyota part here in Canada) have no effect on mileage that I have been able to discern. When the windows are only down a bit - that is, still at least at the level of the lowest point of the deflector, there is no booming and not too much wind noise. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.

11-27-2007, 09:05 PM	#6
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 7,394 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 32	No, the window deflectors won't help for that problem. They're great for opening the windows a bit in the rain without getting wet, but the air still booms. I'm not sure how much more of a problem this is on a slippery car, because my 1966 Plymouth had the same issue - among others - and it was most definitely not aerodynamic. I've had other cars with little triangle windows either front or back that could be opened, and they were wonderful for being able to vent the cabin without any buffeting. Maybe the rear porthole windows on the 2010 Prius could have hinges, weather seals, and a dash button to pop them open and closed?...hint...hint. Come to think of it, they'd be good for venting excess heat while parked, too. __________________ My other high mileage, low emission vehicles are my bicycles and my shoes.

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11-27-2007, 04:58 AM	#1
jhall Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 66 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I get some pretty annoying booming repetitive wind noise when my rear windows are rolled down. If I crack open one of the front windows, this noise goes away. Does anyone know if the Weathertech Window Deflectors solves this issue? Or any other way of solving this issue? Does it hit (or help) the MPG at all?

11-27-2007, 05:49 AM	#2
hwalker911 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Piedmont of North Carolina Posts: 84 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have the weathertech on my 2006, and still get that booming sound with just one window down. Good luck.

11-27-2007, 10:20 AM	#3
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,642 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	The Prius, like other aerodynamic cars, has trouble with airflow oscillations over open windows. It's part of the price you pay for getting good mileage. It's also a good reminder of why you get better mileage at speed with the windows closed. If you do insist on driving at speed with open windows, I find it works well to open the back windows about half way down, then adjust the front windows as needed. It takes a little playing around to get it right, but you can eliminate most of the booming. Tom

11-27-2007, 10:58 AM	#4
jhall Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 66 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for the input. Yeah, I figured it was just one of those things that comes with being aerodynamic. Most of my driving is with the windows up, but my kids often want the windows down in the back seats if we go on road trips. So currently I have to roll down my driver seat window a bit to get rid of the boom, which is OK, but I was hoping some type of mod would resolve it (problems are supposed to go away if you throw money at them, aren't they? ).

11-28-2007, 11:40 AM	#7
jbondman871 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 7 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Does anyone know if they have a set of deflectors that will fit on the 01?