Here in the south (Atlanta, GA) we're beginning to get some warm weather and it's reminded me of a problem I've had in past summers with my '98 GS400 .

On hot days I tilt the sunroof up to let some of the hot air out when the car is sitting in the sun. When I get into the car I normally open the rear windows to let more of the hot air out but leave the fronts closed to cut the wind to the front passengers (usually just me) until the hot air is exhausted from the car.

When I hit about 50 - 60 mph with both rear windows opened and the fronts closed, the wind begins to buffet and cycle through the car and I'm forced to close the windows and rely on the air conditioner. In addition to feeling the wind turbulence I can also hear it pulsing.

Anyone else experience this?

 

I also feel this pulsating, i belive it is due to the shape and roundness of the car, i think when the windows are open the air runs into the back of the rear window pane

 

partially right... it is because of the shape of the car... and as I told 101101010 or whatever... here's the physics approach...

Quote:
some wind instruments use reeds as the vibrating source of sound... after all, sound is caused by vibrations in air which are then picked up by our ear drums... (you cannot hear any sound in outer space...there is no air to vibrate)... in other wind instruments such as the flute, a reed is absent and the wind that is passing through the instrument is the one vibrating and causing the music... (or noise depending on who's playing) ...that also happens when you open the sunroof while your windows are all closed or open a window..etc... it also happens on my benz.. and my chevy... it's just normal... remember the flute... or wind instrument... the way it makes a noise is by wind flapping in and out of the hole.... those are at high frequencies... your car is huge compared to that flute and the hole (window or sunroof is huge)... the thumping noise is the vibration of the wind...if the frequency were just higher, you would have a lexus musical instrument!

as I always say... you got more than you bargained for with me... just my $1.25! Hei... I gotta put this knowledge to use sometime right? Are you dying of boredom yet?

~Manny

 

It happens to me too. I just always drive with my windows up.

I pull mah curtayns and roll vip!

 

nice,bringing this back up to bump from OVER 10 years ago....actually the last post before yours was on my 19th birthday. search win i guess...


BTW if u open the passenger front window and the driver rear window or the other two it seems to calm the pulsating down.