Wind noise from rear windows?

[Jeepkid]

Does anyone else get a horrible throbbing sound when the back windows are down, when they are driving?

It goes away if you open a front window, but the mother in law doesnt sit in front and shes always hot.

 

[SmokedRam]

the sound that sounds like a damn helicopter is hovering above your truck? If so, my uncle's 08 Mega Cab has it BAD...

 

[BlackedOutHemi]

Its called wind buffeting. Happens from the way the wind enters the windows and happens on almost every type of car, from junkers to exotics. Just roll down the front windows a little or open a rear sliding window if you have it.

For the geeky amongst you, the effect is called "Helmholtz resonance". It's the same effect you get when you blow across the top of a narrow necked beer bottle. The air near the opening in the bottle (or window) oscillates like a spring, causing the uncomfortable 'thudding' inside.

Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occurrence
and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.

 

[Jeepkid]

Its just very embarrassing for this with a brand new truck

 

[BlackedOutHemi]

It'll happens with a lot of cars. Apparently R8's have a lot of wind turbulence with open windows, and 4 door jaguars also. Thats what i was able to find at least. And the quotes I pulled were both from jeep websites that complained about that same problem you have. If ya have a back window or a sunroof crack them slightly with the back windows down and you'll be fine.

 

[SmokedRam]

Just a thought...I wonder if window visors lessen the noise at all...

 

[Sagebrush2500]

Was gonna say what ^^^ he said... it's all addressed in the owner's manual.

My '07 Charger Daytona did it - sometimes so severe that it caused the vehicle to shimmer as if it was going to flail out of control

 

[BlackedOutHemi]

I don't think they'll completely get rid of it, but should help a little as they disrupt the smooth stream of the air running along the truck.

 

[Stangshcky12]

Its just very embarrassing for this with a brand new truck

You only have to crack the front windows to make it stop
Not exactly sure how it's embarrassing, literally every car does it at some speed with only the windows down

 

[BlackedOutHemi]

You only have to crack the front windows to make it stop
Not exactly sure how it's embarrassing, literally every car does it at some speed with only the windows down

Yep^^ And actually, in the complete opposite, the older the car, the less likely it is to have this buffeting effect due to the bad aerodynamic properties the car exhibits.

 

[Jeepkid]

You only have to crack the front windows to make it stop
Not exactly sure how it's embarrassing, literally every car does it at some speed with only the windows down

My old ZJ never made any horrid noise, but i did have vent visors in the window channel.

I might see if getting in channel vent visors would eliminate the noise.

I dont have a rear slider or sunroof.

 

[Stangshcky12]

If you google ZJ wind buffeting there are tons of threads about this problem in GC as well
It might not have been as bad, you may not have driven at the proper conditions for it to happen as much/for you to notice but it happedened with them too
I'm sure you'll learn to deal with it, I'll ask my dad if he notices it as much with visors on his '11 quad cab

 

[bigbadram1500]

My 08 does it too. Drives me crazy, gotta crack another window. I have visors too.

 

[Black Cloud]

My '05 Magnum did it worse than the Ram does.

 

[jlb]

They use Helmholtz resonance for designing intake systems as well, because the pressure, and oscillation generated by the air flow can be maximized (proper frequency) to help "shove" air into the cylinders of your car. The frequency can be adjusted by things like runner length, and plenum volume, as well as other factors.