Does anybody notice wind noise in the car with the rear windows down? I recently started this really bad habit of where I turn on the vents with the guage on "hi" and drive with the rear windows down.

I get a ton of wind noise and it feels like the whole car is vibrating. Is that just physics or is my car jacked up?

2007 HCH w/ navigation
2008 Acura TSX w/Navi

Do a google search for "rear windows open", and you'll find the same question has been asked by people who own all sorts of cars. They describe it as a "helicopter" noise. Kind of interesting that everyone thinks there's something wrong with their particular car. It's an air flow phenomenon apparently.

Someone in one of the google search results offered a scientific explanation:

"Car Talk had a good description of the the process at work. Here is what I remember: Rear windows and most sunroofs are located at a point in the car's slipstream that are under positive pressure with respect to the interior. As the air enters the inside of the car, the pressure builds until it is equal to outside slipstream and no more air can get in. It then spills out with a little help from venturi effect, then the process starts again."

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

thank you very much. it does sound like a helicopter.

2007 HCH w/ navigation
2008 Acura TSX w/Navi

I, too, noticed the helicopter sound when the two rear windows are down. If you crack the front passenger window about an inch or two, that sound will be eliminated.

Trivia: This will not help someone with a sinus cold decompress their ear drums.

Yes I cannot stand that low frequency oscillation sound.

Open the front windows a little to fix it.

Need fewer troops to support.
Drive a hybrid.
Best tank 71.65 MPG.

Before this car I spent two years learning hypermiling on my 2004 HCH1.

My other car didn't have rear windows and this really scared me when it first happened. Nothing to worry about though.

My wife hates the noise...it does not bother me a bit...but she will correct the issue by opening up the window more.

Sean Symons
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www.seansymons.com

I am in the same boat... My old car didnt have power rear windows so one of the first times I drove my HCHII I rolled those bad boys down and tried to enjoy having some moving fresh air... Little did I realize that my ear drums would be assaulted with that horrible noise.

I just try to keep the front window cracked if I want the back ones down and it really helps a lot.