Ford EscapeThe Ford Escape has been thoroughly updated, reinforcing the character and appeal that have made it America's perennial best-selling small sport-utility vehicle. The improvements nearly cover the spectrum, and inject a new level of refinement. We'd call the Escape a little truck among small SUVs. Its new styling deliberately invokes Ford's larger, truck-based SUVs.
My wife and I just got a 2009 Escape Hybrid Limited. It really is an awsome little SUV, but there is something that is bothering me. At speeds of 50 mph or higher with the rear windows rolled down there is a tremendous "thumping" noise that fills the cabin. It actually hurts your ears and causes the music from the stereo to distort. It'll be going back to the dealer but I'd like to have info on hand when I get there.
Hi Phantom.
I do it because it helps the air flow from the vents better without having the wind/road noise from an open window in your ears. Although it doesn't seem to matter whether the front windows are open or not.
We have the same problem with one of our cars. When the rear windows are rolled down at highway speeds, the wind entering the passenger cabin buffets and there's thumping sounds....like someone turned up the bass. Try opening just one rear window and see if it helps.
that is a common issue with many vehicles, not specific to the Escape, it is called "helicoptering" due to the sound being similar to a helicopter sound. Caused by air rushing into the car and air pressure not being able to release, if you open a front window slightly or alter the position of the open windows the air pressure can adjust. It can happen on any vehicle with windows open in certain situations. Sometimes it can happen with the sunroof open and one rear window, or a mix of different window positions, every vehicle is slightly different. The noise is very bothersome and I hate when it happens, but I just alter some of the window positions and it can be eliminated.
There's two sounds--the buffeting (which can be helped by cracking the front window), and what I've noticed--with the rear windows down the rear center seat belt "thumps" against the seatback in the wind.
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