I doubt very seriously anyone would confuse wind noise with tire noise, unless they are the type of person who would take the cat to the Vet when it is the dog that is sick.

 

That is really funny!

 

Thanks City, on short notice I came up with the best analogy I could.

 

I would like to offer something regarding the whole wind noise issue...mind you, I'm speaking based on what I've experienced w/ my ES 350. Anyways, I hear a wee bit of wind noise once I go past around 45 mph or so...and definitely hear it once I go past 55. The thing I wanted to offer is that, when I put my hand near the very top of the window frame (inside the vehicle) while my vehicle is moving at a decent clip, I can feel a faint but definitely perceptible draft coming in around that area. I even opened and closed the window just to see if perhaps the window did not close/seal tightly--the faint draft was still there. Mind you, the draft wasn't anywhere near strong enough to blow my hair or anything like that, but I could definitely feel a cool/cold draft.

I guess the question I would like to ask of fellow ES 350 owners--drive your car up to speed (e.g., around 55 mph or so), then place your bare hand next to the top of the window frame and tell me if you can feel a very faint but noticeable draft. Either that, or just tell me that this is normal for vehicles of all makes and models...

 

Tried it. No draft.

I do have some dissatisfaction with the quietness of my car (I think it should be quieter for the money), but I don't have the infamous wind issue that so many others here describe.

 

Anyone else besides dreyfus willing to see if they're getting a draft similar to what I described? I guess since dreyfus says he's not getting any wind noise, it would seem to make sense that he wasn't able to detect any sort of draft either...

 

If it sounds like it is coming from within the A-pillar itself (or close to it) and this wasn't there when you purchased your car, my bet is one of the plugs fell out under the car.

 

I have felt this 'draft' or cold air at the top rear of my front drivers window. Its hard to know where its coming from though, as it could be just air bounced up off the window from the Air system in the car. It sure feels like it is coming from the outside, but its also only a very small airflow as you mentioned.

 

I just noticed this on my ES this morning, when you open the driver or passenger front door, look at the seal that is attached to the rear door that is between the doors when they are closed. The top 2 inches or so, the seal is folded inward and it's not made of soft material. When both doors are closed, that leaves a cavity, but only at the top. That cavity is right where I hear the noise. Could it be that they just need to redesign that seal so there is no cavity?

 

that is the same area my father said was part of the problem...he pulled it to left standing outside doors and folded it outward and then let it go, in hopes it then had enough resistance to closing-back edge of driver door.

Quite frankly the flimsy gasket at that area looks cheap.

 

I was out yesterday and felt around that area of the window and didn't detect any leakage or wind noise. It was windy around here too.

 

No draft and no wind noise. The tires are kind of noisy on some roads. There is a nice stretch of fairly new tarmac on the 101 northbound by the SFO airport. The car is particularly quiet there. I have the Michelin all season tires which are kind of noisy on concrete. My next set will be summer tires. I would like to find the right size Yokohama, Nitto, or Conti.