Helicopter / Motorboating Sound ???
 

New ES350. Thought I was being chased by helicopter yesterday. Or perhaps tires going flat.
Traced source of sound to having rear window down 3 to 4 inches AND speed greater than 35 to 40 mph.
Definite whump-whump-whump sound that increases in frequency as speed increases.
Nothing loose in window wells or vibrating glass.
Sound ceases when year window closed.

Anyone else experience this ?

Thx.

Yes. This is normal. My suspicion is that these cars are too tight to expel air at the same rate as the window will allow it in. Every Toyota/Lexus I have owned since my 2004 RX has exhibited this “one rear window down” behavior. You can solve it by cracking another window on the opposite side of the car or the sunroof (although that sort of seems counter to my theory above doesn’t it?).

I could be wrong but I've had many cars experience this type of behavior from air turbulence of a rear window being down a few inches. Again, just a guess but I'm thinking that's the case. Usually rolling the front window down a little with it helps. Only have it happen on rear windows and happens on all 4 of my cars to one degree or another. Also, I've had it eliminated by turning up the fan and using external air while the window is down. Defeats the purpose but keeps the turbulence from going back/forth creating the 'flapping' sound (that hurts the hell out of my ears).

Holy @#$*&
 

Can't believe I've been driving for years, and just now experienced this phenomenon.
It's documented all over the internet as wind throb or buffeting.

Sure am glad I asked here. Imagine the embarrassment running to the dealership for warranty repair.

Thanks all.

Experienced this in every car that I've owned. Actually hurts your ears if you don't close a window to stop it.

Good Luck with the new car...

Been happening for years in every modern car ive owned.

Exactly, been that way on every car I've owned since 2006.

Pretty much all cars exhibit this behavior with varying combinations of window(s) down and higher speeds. Same effect as blowing across the top of a bottle...the flowing air induces standing pressure waves in the cabin that are perceived as the noise you describe.