2006 Civic Design Flaw

OK all you sedan drivers try this. Find a nice safe stretch of road and
take your Civic up to around 30-35 mph. The engine can be anywhere from
1500 to 2000 rpm. Now here's the "fun" part. Open the right rear window.
What you should hear, if your experience is anything like mine, is a loud
oscillating wind buffeting sound.
Now if you never intend to drive with the rear windows down forget the
whole thing. Otherwise get some ear plugs...the noise will drive you nuts
otherwise. Oh by the way my dealer had me try this with another Civic.
Same noise. That's why I consider this a design flaw.
So far I can not find any TSB's or recalls that pertain to this issue.
Maybe Honda doesn't think it's a problem. Other than this I think the car
is great.

Rich K.

 

Most sedans and some coupes will do that (station wagons and hatchbacks are
much more resistant). It is called "aeolian oscillation" and effectively
turns the passenger compartment into a giant subsonic whistle. The '64 Dodge
I learned to drive in was crazy with it, and I've never had a sedan that
didn't do it on at least one pair of windows. For best window ventilation on
the road, opening the driver's window an inch and doing the same with the
right rear window will get you quiet, controlled air flow.

Mike

 

This has been around for much, much longer than the new Civic.

I had a 91 Civic wagon that did this.

I've also had other, non-Honda cars do this.

Never figured it out, either.

 

This is a VERY common issue with countless makes and models of vehicles.
I've driven and ridden in several SUVs with the exact same behavior--as well
as many different types of sedans.

 

Awww, you beat me to it! *I* wanted to use that term! It sounds so
*scientific*!

For the record, my 1991 Integra and my 1976 Coronet all do/did the same
thing.

My '74 RX-4 and both my early-'80s Corollas didn't, but that was due only
to the fact that they were all hardtop bodystyles. My '75 Corolla didn't do
it either, but that was because the rear windows were tilt-out designs.

There ya go. Or buy a convertible.

 

Heck, my Chevy truck will do this also. Either the window has to be
all the way down, or all the way up. About half-way and the
buffetting is terrible. But I live in Texas, so most of the time the
AC is on anyhow. Bottom line: no big deal.

 

Most cars I've owned do or did it.

 

This is one of my pet peeves, and nearly every modern car does this with
one or more windows. I call it the Coke Bottle Effect, because it is
similar to what happens when you blow across the lip of a soda bottle.

It is a consequence of slippery aerodynamic design.

John

 

I had an '81 and '93 civic sedans that both did this. It used to drive me
nuts on road trips because the kids would always try to crank down the back
window just enough to maximize the oscillation.

Jon

 

Sorry about that. You could mention that the oscillation results from von
Karman vortex shedding.... I love that term!

Mike

 

Will window deflector take care of that problem? I am curious.
My SUV is loud as hexx!

 

Thank you all for your responses. Now I know I'm not nuts and can quote
scientific terms to explain the issue. Of course I'm still stuck with the
vibration problem at 1500 rpm. Thought is was the right rear tire, and it
may still be, however the exhaust system now has me on a different path.
Then again maybe I should just turn up the radio and get over it.

 

This is one of my pet peeves, and nearly every modern car does this with
one or more windows. I call it the Coke Bottle Effect, because it is
similar to what happens when you blow across the lip of a soda bottle.

It is a consequence of slippery aerodynamic design.

John[/QUOTE]

John,
It's not a problem if the AC is used. I rarely see anyone with the windows
down or the sunroof open--regardless of the outside temp. The closed
windows mean that we solve the "loud sound" problem and we also keep out
the pollution such as the odor of diesel fumes.
Jason

 

Oh, yeah, I know that one. That's what happens when you don't shave your
Karmann Ghia often enough...

 

Not uncommon to be able to produce this effect with certain speeds and
window configurations. Try cracking a front window a bit.

 

They'll "tex" anything now!

 

I hang around cyclists in hopes of some pretty young lady thinking it is
"Goretex shedding" but so far no luck.

Mike

 

Hey, Accord Ex sunroof does the same thing.

I've meant to try putting some deflectors or vortex shedders or
dilithium crystals or eolian transmogrifiers on the leading edge to
prevent it, but so far haven't actually bothered.

J.

 

Beryllium spheres or unobtainium plasma rectifiers might do the job - check
the wrecking yards.

Mike