Strange Pulsating wind Noise!?!?

[MasterCylinder]

Anyone else experiencing a strange pulsating wind noise that hurts your ears if driving down the road over 45mph with the back windows rolled down? It's so bad you have to roll the windows up or it feels like your eardrums are going to exploded!
It was present before I installed a bed cover and still there afterwards. Very weird!

Sponsored

 

[pasali]

I’ve had it happen in other vehicles, if you open one of the front windows a little bit it should go away.

 

[MasterCylinder]

I’ve had it happen in other vehicles, if you open one of the front windows a little bit it should go away.

Tried that and it relieved it some but the faster I went I still had to roll the windows up so my head didn't explode! Lol

 

[Bushmechanic]

Some shapes just don't do well with the rear windows rolled down. This seems to be one of those shapes.

I hadn't messed with the windows, as I've been enjoying the air conditioning, but I tried it the other night and found it's a no-go in the Ranger.

Perhaps wind deflectors would help. I've never actually paid attention to them in regard to wind deflection, though; only to keep the sun out of my eyes.

Still, if you really want to roll with the rears windows down, it might be a solution. Maybe someone here's had them fitted.

 

[Trimjb]

Yep. My 01 Tahoe does the same thing.
Very annoying at highway speeds.
My pups like the windows down but my ears can't handle it.

 

[blksn8k]

It's a common problem with taller four-door vehicles. My F-150 Tremor does the same thing and so did a Sport Trac that I had years ago. If you have a sliding rear window opening that might help as well. What's crazy is that it doesn't seem to affect anyone in the back seat, only the people in front can feel it.

 

[BHunted1]

Wind Buffeting:
Problem:
Wind buffeting is a common issue in trucks with a flat rear window. The air pressure changes can cause a rhythmic vibration or booming sound when a window is partially down.

Solution:
Opening the rear window slightly on the opposite side can help alleviate wind buffeting by equalizing the pressure inside and outside the cab.

Note:
If the buffeting is severe, consider aftermarket solutions like wind deflectors, but be aware that these can also affect window sealing.

 

[Jason B]

A common issue that's happens in most vehicles.

Helmholtz resonance, also known as wind throb, refers to the phenomenon of air resonance in a cavity, an effect named after the German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz.[1] This type of resonance occurs when air is forced in and out of a cavity (the resonance chamber), causing the air inside to vibrate at a specific natural frequency. The principle is widely observable in everyday life, notably when blowing across the top of a bottle, resulting in a resonant tone.

 

[Trimjb]

Maybe just showing my age.
I don't remember this in the 50's, 60's cars that were built like tanks. No AC so the windows were always down. (Weather permitting).

 

[Viporpa]

Yep , common these days. My 2017 fusion sport was horrible !!! Now my ranger does it. Not as bad as the fusion though. As mentioned before , just play with the combination of windows being down and it pretty much goes away.

 

[gmpetrie]

A common issue that's happens in most vehicles.

Helmholtz resonance, also known as wind throb, refers to the phenomenon of air resonance in a cavity, an effect named after the German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz.[1] This type of resonance occurs when air is forced in and out of a cavity (the resonance chamber), causing the air inside to vibrate at a specific natural frequency. The principle is widely observable in everyday life, notably when blowing across the top of a bottle, resulting in a resonant tone.

I seriously love this scientific explanation! Cool.

I had cars from the mid 1960 forward that did this. Gotta find the right combo of windows to open (even slightly often works). For my Ranger, just crack the rear window if you have one.

 

[John E Davies]

I have the opposite problem, I sometimes drive with the driver window all the way down and the AC turned off, I have to lower both rears a couple of inches to smooth out the buffeting. It’s just physics.

When I first drove in the 1970s, my elbow was always hanging out that side, and it always got sunburned.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[RCMUSTANG]

Window visors do the trick. Neither my 2017 Fusion Sport nor my 2019 Ranger did it with those.

 

[superj]

If it eas any other window i would say move the seatbelt a little because it causes a deflection in wind that can cause that feeling, too.

 

[MasterCylinder]

A common issue that's happens in most vehicles.

Helmholtz resonance, also known as wind throb, refers to the phenomenon of air resonance in a cavity, an effect named after the German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz.[1] This type of resonance occurs when air is forced in and out of a cavity (the resonance chamber), causing the air inside to vibrate at a specific natural frequency. The principle is widely observable in everyday life, notably when blowing across the top of a bottle, resulting in a resonant tone.

Ive been driving since the 70's and never ran into Helmholtz before but this is very earnoying! Lol

Sponsored