45Doll 5,848 Posted January 26, 2020 Anybody got a late model Rav4? Later than 2016? Ever heard a sound in the passenger cabin resembling the beat and pulse of a locomotive, sometimes so strong it sounds like the cab is going to shake apart? Want to get rid of it? Close the open rear window. Seriously. I made a Monday service appointment for our 2019 Rav4 because that's what it sounded like inside the cab last week once it was moving over 35 mph. It turns out there's an aerodynamic anomaly that causes it when one or both rear windows are open at least a couple inches. This happened originally on our 2016 and I forgot about it. But then it happened in a much more subdued way last week on our 2019. I inspected the wheels and wells but couldn't see anything so I made the appointment. Then two days ago I had it out and the noise was gone. WTF? Then I took my wife out in it last night for a test ride, and that's when the light bulb went on. I remembered seeing one rear window open just an inch or two, which happened by mistake. And then I closed it. I never connected the window to the noise because it was winter, there shouldn't be any open rear windows, and the gap was so small the effect was much more subtle. It sounded like a tire or wheel problem. If the window is open all the way it makes the cab almost unbearable. I took a third 2019 Rav4 out today and clearly demonstrated it again. I'll bring this to the service desk's attention tomorrow. And our lease rep. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
voyager9 3,417 Posted January 26, 2020 10 minutes ago, 45Doll said: It turns out there's an aerodynamic anomaly that causes it when one or both rear windows are open at least a couple inches. This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others. Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. Cracking the front window makes it go away. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
45Doll 5,848 Posted January 26, 2020 2 minutes ago, voyager9 said: This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others. Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. Cracking the front window makes it go away. Really? Well now I don't feel so bad. I thought this would be a scarce 'problem'. And you're right about the front window. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sniper 6,372 Posted January 26, 2020 4 minutes ago, voyager9 said: This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others. Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. Yep, all our vehicles do it too, I hate when someone cracks a back window.., 4 minutes ago, voyager9 said: Cracking the front window makes it go away. or closing the back window that's causing it.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
voyager9 3,417 Posted January 26, 2020 13 minutes ago, Sniper said: or closing the back window that's causing it.. Or not driving the car at all, if we are going to go all Walmart Crazy. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrfly3006 42 Posted January 26, 2020 22 minutes ago, voyager9 said: This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others. Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. Cracking the front window makes it go away. Ditto..the wind buffeting makes me feel like I'm gonna blow an eardrum out.. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
45Doll 5,848 Posted January 26, 2020 Well, well, well... there is misery in company. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sota 1,191 Posted January 26, 2020 liberty does it too. friend's edge did also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,872 Posted January 26, 2020 I had this with my Hyundai Sonata... Figured that out right quick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishnut 2,358 Posted January 26, 2020 Wind buffeting is very common with any 4 door vehicle. My 08 colorado and my buddy's 09 tacoma both do the same as did my wife old 04 Saturn ion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
voyager9 3,417 Posted January 26, 2020 SCIENCE! https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15344069/explained-that-weird-throbbing-when-you-open-one-car-window/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Golf battery 1,223 Posted January 27, 2020 Ill open the back window a hair. Just to piss my wife off 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
45Doll 5,848 Posted January 27, 2020 1 hour ago, fishnut said: Wind buffeting is very common with any 4 door vehicle. My 08 colorado and my buddy's 09 tacoma both do the same as did my wife old 04 Saturn ion. I can't remember this happening with any sedan we ever owned. But then again I can't say I drove around with only the rear window(s) open. It definitely never happened in a sedan with the front windows. Starting with my 442. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlDente67 563 Posted January 27, 2020 Ironically, I had a locomotive that sounded like a RAV4 at speed. 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raz-0 1,256 Posted January 27, 2020 17 hours ago, 45Doll said: I can't remember this happening with any sedan we ever owned. But then again I can't say I drove around with only the rear window(s) open. It definitely never happened in a sedan with the front windows. Starting with my 442. Not every vehicle does it. Most sedans seem not to. Most SUV/hatch shaped boxes seem to. There are exceptions to both. I had a 2005 suabru legacy and it did it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CMJeepster 2,766 Posted January 29, 2020 On 1/26/2020 at 7:39 PM, Golf battery said: Ill open the back window a hair. Just to piss my wife off She's got acreage and access to excavating equipment. Be careful! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MartyZ 691 Posted January 29, 2020 I had the same issue with my 2008 VW Passat. Now I have a 2 door, so no more rear windows. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin125 4,772 Posted February 1, 2020 On 1/26/2020 at 4:14 PM, voyager9 said: This has happened on every SUV I’ve ever seen. Three Jeep Grand Cherokees, a Nissan Vogue, and others. Usually a very loud 2hz Wup Wup Wup Wup. Cracking the front window makes it go away. We have a winner.... Every single SUV we’ve ever had too. Plus the Crewmax version of a Tundra. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites