Wind Buffering / Buffeting via Windows or Sunroof

[Corey_R]

I put down just the rear windows (all the way) and my ears nearly blew out. I am not joking. It is so damn loud it ridiculous. I remember this sunroof I used to have did it at about a quarter of that rate, and I thought THAT was bad.

Welcome to modern, aerodynamic cars... especially hatchbacks. As noted by zbeasty, you need to also lower the front windows so that there is some equalisation of pressure (or a return path or whatever is happening).
The Golf MKV, MK6, Polo 9N are no worse than the previous few cars I had before, or friends cars I've borrowed *shrugs*

[team_v]

Welcome to modern, aerodynamic cars... especially hatchbacks. As noted by zbeasty, you need to also lower the front windows so that there is some equalisation of pressure (or a return path or whatever is happening).
The Golf MKV, MK6, Polo 9N are no worse than the previous few cars I had before, or friends cars I've borrowed *shrugs*

Mav has argued this point quite well previously.

Cliffs:
Car's are made to be more aerodynamic now to reduce drag and increase fuel economy.
Car's now have aircon standard (unless you get a getz etc) so there is no need to open the windows.
You actually get worse consumption from opening the windows and getting warm air flowing in when driving at higher speeds than you do from leaving the windows up and putting the aircon on.

[Corey_R]

Yeah... that's basically the sitch

[REXman]

I did read Coreys comment about the windows not punching a big enough hole in the air or something.. Makes sense.. But like NO other cars do it..

All generations of Rexies, Skyline, BMW Coupe... and Corolla (all cars except one of the rexies are post 2002 make cars).. never did it. And 2 of the rexies were the new 3G hatches.

The MPS 3 definitely doesn't do it. And I am not sure If the Polo 77TSI MY11 does it.

My rear left window also makes a mad whining sound when you wind it up. Not down, just up. ( I discovered it from the Wind/Boom testing. )

Good to know tonight when I can put my front windows down, the booming will stop. Its like amazingly loud. I have sensitive ears (Hear the TV buzzing on standby from across the house) so it really puts a massive pressure on the ear drums.

[cme2c]

Buffeting was even a problem even in Dad's HR Special (186 Powerglide) We'd get in trouble for opening the back windows. It is worse now (especially in the Golf VI) and you don't have flipper windows to fix the problem.

(Stumbles away mumbling "things were different in my day"...)

[REXman]

He cme2c, So you mean to say that one of these,

HOLDEN SPECIAL HR STATION WAGON 186 POWERGLIDE SA REGO (eBay item 260698162500 end time Nov-28-10 12:51:13 EST)

Had wind buffeting??!

[REXman]

I gotta say though.. I sort of got the 5 door cause I thought If I have Kids in the next couple of years.. I can keep my car. If they were to put the back windows down, it would blow there ears out!? Should have gotten the 3 door? Or does that do it too?

[Corey_R]

Should have gotten the 3 door?

No idea... the only time the windows go down is when I have to lean out to take a ticket or swipe a badge at a boomgate etc...

[weewilly]

I gotta say though.. I sort of got the 5 door cause I thought If I have Kids in the next couple of years.. I can keep my car. If they were to put the back windows down, it would blow there ears out!? Should have gotten the 3 door? Or does that do it too?

yes it does. Only have two windows that go down with three door. hardly ever open sunroof, too tough on ears....

[pologti18t]

I noticed the booming when i tested a 2 door Polo GTI with a sunroof way back in 2005. Also my parents 1979 Mazda 626 used to get it ( no ac back then) when cruising along with the windows down. Depended on speed and window position.

Lots of 5 door cars get it even without a sunroof. I think its called heterodyning.

The only way to solve it is to closed one or more windows until it dissappears. It is NOT a fault of the car design.