"whoo whoo" sound at ~60kph only. Wind noise?

tomrdy

Member
 Sydney, Australia
I've recently noticed an extremely faint oscillating "whoo whoo" sound in the cabin. It's so faint that I thought I was going mad and imagining it till my wife confirmed she could juuuust make it out with the radio and aircon off, windows up. I daresay if you weren't listening for it intensely, you'd never ever hear it - problem is my stupid brain is focusing on it now.

It's ONLY barely audible to me at around 60kph - speed below or above it's not present at all. The frequency doesn't seem to increase or decrease with speed - it just disappears. I've considered wheel bearings but I would think that an issue with that shouldn't stop making sound at higher speeds. I also noted that I can hear it clearer if I block out my right ear while driving (RHD).

In gear, out of gear, doesn't matter. Hit the right speed and "woo wooo woooo".

Tyres look fine - plenty of tread and the wear pattern looks fine (at least to me). Pressures at 33F 36R. I was thinking maybe wheel balance - but there is absolutely no vibrations at all. Car drives perfectly fine in all manners.

I began thinking it could be some sort of wind related noise when I started hearing a similar sound from our living room fan... I suppose it's a little bit like a buffeting sound (but not the type when you have only 1 window down).

Anyways, I'm probably making something out of nothing - and shouldn't even be posting about it. Just thought I'd take a stab on the forums and see if someone happened to have a similar experience so I at least know I've not gone mad! :rofl:
 
It sounds to me like it's a wind noise problem. Try opening one of the windows slightly to see if it goes away, if so it is wind related. Another possible cause can be tyre wear. My previous car was a 330D M sport fitted with Michelin pilot sports, which when worn, created a noise similar to a worn wheel bearing.
 
buzyg said:
Too much wine at the Barbie? :wink:

Not enough shrimps thrown on :D

Alpina 98 said:
It sounds to me like it's a wind noise problem. Try opening one of the windows slightly to see if it goes away, if so it is wind related. Another possible cause can be tyre wear. My previous car was a 330D M sport fitted with Michelin pilot sports, which when worn, created a noise similar to a worn wheel bearing.

It's definitely no WORSE with the window cracked open so I'm guessing the sound isn't coming from the wheels - when I had a handbrake shoe issue the sound got away louder with window down (obviously).

Honestly I can't tell if I'm hearing it or imagining it now. My wife's loving my constant *turn down the radio*. "Do you hear it??? Can you???". :rofl:

Will try to observe more with playing with the windows.
 
You could try poking a sheet of paper between the window glass and window seal from outside to see if there’s a minute air leak
 
I have this and believe it's the tyres too. probably flat spots or the tyres have gone out of shape
 
firebobby said:
I have this and believe it's the tyres too. probably flat spots or the tyres have gone out of shape

Good to hear I'm not crazy! I'm thinking it's the tyres now as well.

Didn't mention before - I'm running Bridgestone Re003 tyres.

Sound is there regardless of window position and I'm noticing that the sound does indeed change frequency with speed - albeit it becomes inaudible as it slows down or speeds up.

Leads me to think that it's certainly from rotation - ie: something from the wheels and the tyres make the most sense with the type of sound.

I suppose if it gets no worse there's nothing to do! Though I can hear it with the car stationary and off now. That's troubling :rofl: .

Thanks for the replies guys
 
I was going to ask where you live and offer a go with my wheels swapped over, but I see you're in Australia! Hopefully a nice man named Bruce will be able to loan you some wheels and tyres for a 5 mile test :)
 
Haha that would have been a very kind offer - though if it turned out NOT to be the tyres then a whole can of worms would be reopened for my OCD :rofl:

Actually just had a thought - if the sound is gone/different in the wet, that would be pretty conclusive no? Man we need some rain badly down here... The country is on fire :(
 
I had something similar which turned out to be the brake heat shields gently touching the brake discs when spinning. Slightly bending them back by 1-2mm cured it for me although it may be something different entirely!
 
gurkin1234 said:
I had something similar which turned out to be the brake heat shields gently touching the brake discs when spinning. Slightly bending them back by 1-2mm cured it for me although it may be something different entirely!

Oh this is a good one! I will check mine out this weekend. Wouldn't surprise me as i did just notice it after having my brakes done by a shop. Will report back
 
Phoenixboy said:
is it Thomas the Tank :wink:

God I didn't even think of that :rofl:

Drove with the top down today - sound is inaudible. Whether that means it's not there or the wind noise is too much I'm not sure. Either way, I still think it's just tyre noise (heat shields seemed fine though I only had a quick poke around).

Just bang on 60kmph tho.. so weird. 40, 50, 70 and so on no noise.
 
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