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I have not received my MDX...yet, so I haven't experienced the wind noise that several owners have noticed. Has anyone asked their dealer about this? Is it coming from the rear top corner of the driver's window seal (common place) or where? If the wind seems to be rushing overhead, is it possible that the roof racks on some vehicles are lose or need a silicon bead? I'm wondering if people who have roof racks vs. people who do not have roof racks are experiencing the same noise. Also, has anyone found a fix for this problem?
When I test drive mine, I want to be aware of all these little glitches! Thanks! |
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OHMEGOD DMOR! Here we go again!!!!! This is NOT a Lincoln Continental. It IS an SUV. For an SUV the wind "noise" is infitesimal (spelling?)..er..tiny. If the wind noise bothers you, then this TYPE of vehicle is not for you. This is the quietest vehicle I have ever owned. It is even quieter than my '87 Honda Prelude...Please do not be concerned about this.
You should me more concerned about getting Mahogany ( :D !).
Of course I am just kidding!!! |
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I have a Base Model with a dealer installed Roof Rack and a self installed Moonroof visor and NO WIND NOISE!!! (yeah, that's the formula).
Seriously, I have very, very little wind noise, even at 70+ MPH. Even my wife can't complain about it, and that's a major achievement. Also, I have no thud and no water drip !!! :-) Don't ask me how... |
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| I have a base model without the visor or rack. With the stereo turned up I still hear a faint "arewethereyet arewethereyet" from behind the front row of seats. I can't put my finger on the source. |
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There's more noise coming from the exterior than on the comparable SUVs we drove (e.g., the RX300 and the X5) but it didn't seem too bad to us when we test drove it. It's certainly not a "fixable" thing like a bad seal, and I doubt there's any reason to be particularly attentive to this on your test drive (unless you're planning on bailing, and I know you've been waiting too long for that Mahogany, DMor).
With close observation, it does increase with appropriate external factors (like the speed and direction of the wind on a blustery day) and, as stated by others, is not that bad. It is noticeable over 70 or so, and obviously increases with speed. I'm used to driving an Integra GS-R, so this still feels like silence to me. Those of you used to driving tightly-sealed luxury barges might feel differently. |
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KK
Is this Windy by Association circa '67...or leaking seals? :) Geeze...it's a bummer that I remember it!
OK...so I guess it's relatively quiet and not to worry. If I hear some noise, I'll just crank up Metallica. Thanks all for the posts. |
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| Eww..... Metallica..... don't put that through the 'sophisticated' sound system!! :):) |
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| Careful about using their name without paying the appropriate royalties... [img]C:/CSD/lars.jpg[/img] |
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quote:
Originally posted by DMor
I have not received my MDX...yet, so I haven't experienced the wind noise that several owners have noticed. Has anyone asked their dealer about this? Is it coming from the rear top corner of the driver's window seal (common place) or where? If the wind seems to be rushing overhead, is it possible that the roof racks on some vehicles are lose or need a silicon bead? I'm wondering if people who have roof racks vs. people who do not have roof racks are experiencing the same noise. Also, has anyone found a fix for this problem?
When I test drive mine, I want to be aware of all these little glitches! Thanks!
If the sounds you hear are a sort of "rumble" and "rush" of air around the vehicle and not a whistle, then you are hearing the air turbulence created by the outside rear view mirrors and the road noise from the big 17" tires. As for the mirrors, event the smaller TL has this condition and the tire noise, well, who makes a quieter tire than a MIchelin??? Don't waste your time trying to get rid of noises from a truck. The Lexus RX looks like a whimp with its curved lines and that does help reduce turbulence, but to be caught alive in one of those cookie cutters - the shame of it. |
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| I picked up my new MDX yesterday (3/3/01)after waiting 11 weeks from my order date. It is the base model, so at the present time, I do not have a roof rack, however, my dealer is going to put one on if I want it. I had it out on the highway last night,at a pretty good speed, and experienced no wind noise at all. My last vehicle was a 1998 Ford Explorer (with a roof rack), and I can honestly say that the MDX is quieter than the Explorer, which I thought was pretty quiet for a SUV. Is it the feeling out there that I should not put the roof rack on because of added noise issues? |
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| Mine will come with a roof rack...(Touring) so I will have nothing to compare it to...HOWEVER DANCALL??( u listn'n?) has been on the rampage...replacing "WIND" as his new four letter word. :). Since he also has touring...his fix is to turn up the Bose. However, if you read some of the BOSE posts...it appears it's not as good as hearing the WIND. Thus...The Bose appears to suck while the Wind appears to blow...So...jury's still out...me thinks! |
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HAHAHAHA! Dmor good one!
Not only do I have the Touring package, I also have two Thule Fork Mount racks bolted on. This is why we buy SUV's...sport UTILITY! Why would you consider not putting the racks on? Surely, you're not one of those that just gets racks for looks! :)
..although, not having the rack kinda makes the MDX look like an old balding man..! Oh well...full head of hair for this guy! |
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Yes, DMor, it's true that the BOSE isn't always fine music to the ears. Unless it's playing the following lyrics:
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
(Theme from "Mahogany", Diana Ross)
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dancall,
Least us follicly challenged don't have to worry about getting our hair messed up by the WIND!:D |
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Since we only use the roof rack on our touring model a couple of times a year and don't like Acura's permanent/unadjustable solution, does anyone know how to remove it so we can have "options". I know, I know, what a concept.
The dealership is clueless.
thanks
kenkneeb |
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When I first got our MDX in October, I thought that the vehicle had lots of wind noise, then realized it was actually beau coup (lots & Lots) of transmitted, unattenuated (read poorly dampened-decoupled) road noise which was transmitted into the cabin.
Even changing the tires and spending $1500.00 on sound deadending materials and labor by a premier sound attenuation/deadening company in Bend, Oregon couldn't fix the transmitted tire/road noise problem. Acura must have 'forgot' to spend the requisite couple of hundred $ and design time required to dial out this annoying "sound system" by using the right kind (or any) bushings to insulators/dampeners to separate the transmitted tire noise from the cabin.
As I posted elsewhere, while we our MDX was gutted to put in the sound deadening materials, we rented a Mistubishi Montero Sport. And by comparison, the $20k Mitsu appeard to have 10 times less transmitted road noise as compared to $40k Acura.
So class, as we have now learned, just because we spend a lot of money, we don't always get what we pay for now do we class.
Go figure.
kenkneeb |
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| I hear if you Roll the vehicle...the roof rack is easier to remove. Someone in Washington State attempted to removed theirs last month using the 'speed vs duh' formula. Hope this helps! :) |
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great idea, too much headroom anyway
kenkneeb |
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kenkneeb,
$1,500 for soundproofing. You're making too much money. Why didn't you just try ear plugs, they are a lot cheaper. $1,500 would have also gone a long way towards upgrading the sound system which is an even better road noise solution. |
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remery:
yeah, aint hindsight golden. First I figured I'd fix the problem of road noise so as not to have to blast the sound system to overcome the initial noise problem. Whoops, my (and Acura's) Mistake. Better to start with a quiet rig, then ad good sound instead of having to overcome inherent design deficiencies.
just me, kenkneeb tryin' to figure it out the best way I know how! And, I didn't have 65 G's for a Mercedes E Class 4matic or whatever!
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Our Mahogany Touring w/ Nav arrives tomorrow or Tuesday!! Yea.
We will remove the roof rack. It is simple to do, but you must have the full lenght channel covers ala the Base Model.
Once the rook rack is removed the old covers will not cover the channel.
The MDX is quieter w/o the roof rack. |
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| Fellow Mahogany Lover...Ahhhhh...I think you should at least try to enjoy your MDX w/roof rack before you remove it. It might not make any significant noise and definitely looks a lot cooler. :cool: Plus...you'll have to get a bumper sticker that says..."I really have touring". :) |
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| I'm Not so sure the roof rack is all the problem of the wind noise. I was putting Rainex on my windshield over the weekend and noticed that the front windshield has a channel on either side. I've never seen this before and wonder what is the purpose of this "lip" on the sides of the windshield is for and could this be causing the wind noise???? |
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Talk about exclusivity !!!
We will not just "give" the Roof Rack to the dealer. We are still discussing what to do with it. I suggested that they credit me its value and "swap" it out with a Base (I'll need its channel covers) which they will then sell to its buyer. If they will not issue some credit, then I'll buy the channel covers and keep the roof rack. I do not believe it is too difficult to mount &/or remove. So I'll have them if I need them.
Although, with or without looks OK, I prefer its look without the roof rack. |
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| THose channels on the windshield may be ther to direct water away from side windows. I had this on my benz- no wind ,but kept side windows dry. Also, when putting on wipers wiht squirter, fluid wouldn't drip in to passenger. This is all speculation on my part as we don't own an MDX yet, but should by mid May |
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Could you guys please move this discussion to:
rec.autos.wussie_whining.girliemen.I_really_wanted_a_minivan_anyways |
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Gee Danny,
I went to that site you mentioned in the above message and all I saw was a Mr. Universe type sitting in some monster truck. What gives? :-)
( I do see you point though. we all have our quirks!)
Take Care |
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I will give an account of our experience later in the appropriate thread.
Found something interesting in the manaul last night (yes I actually read thru it; actually read the instructions - very unmanly thing to do!).
Page 255 describes conditions that are considered by Acura to be Severe Driving Conditions, thus requiring following the Severe Conditions Maintenance Schedule. One of the conditions is "driving with a roof rack"
We have not once used the rack on our '99 Expy, and I know that the rack causes wind/resistance drag to the point of noticable wind noise and Acura calling it severe driving conditions.
Thus I am going to remove the rack from mine. This is no surprise, as I have already discussed it, but I was surprised to see what Acura said in the manual! |
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| Well...don't have my manual/truck yet. But, are you SURE they meant an empty roof rack? Would seem a loaded roof rack could cause some problems, depending on weather conditions? |
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It simply says, "driving with a roof rack" - direct quote.
It was in a bullet that also included both "trailer towing" and "driving in mountainous conditions"
Since it was included with towing perhaps they assume if you use it a lot?? However who uses a roof rack all the time such that it would affect the maintenance schedule?
Also the carrying capacity of the rack is 165# max (p. 205), including any accessory rack components (eg, ski/bike holders). |
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I believe they mean a rack with CARGO. I cannot imagine the roof rack packing that much drag...unless it was packed itself.
We get lots of wind east of San Diego in the mountains, etc. If/when I encounter dangerous conditions and have trouble keeping it on the road, I anchor everything down inside the truck and roll down or at least crack the windows. Makes all the difference...as long as its not raining, etc. Hey...what's a little weather among friends?
Anyway...my roof rack is staying. I think it looks :cool: |
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I agree with DMor. The drag from the roof rack may lead to some minor noise and marginally-increased drag, but certainly isn't sufficient to warrant special consideration.
On the other hand, msu79gt82, our Houston weather certainly does, at least when our Spring ends!
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I experience wind noise when a go over 65 MPH or at a lessor speed when there is a cross-wind. I can't be from leaks, it is like the sound of wind blowing through trees on a gusty day (I also have a rack). It would be nice if someone has access to a wind tunnel so the exact source could be identified. A couple of small deflector tabs here and there would probably smooth the airfoil. Maybe I can go out to the airport (or flat place) on a windy day, put a microphone on a boom and locate it. Just wishing.
I luv my MDX!!! |
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| I picked up my black w/nav and dealer installed roof rack MDX three days ago. My initial test drive about three months ago had me concerned since I thought I heard significant wind noise, then discovered the moon roof was not closed completely. My conclusion regarding the wind noise issue after driving the MDX for three days: There is no issue. No more wind noise than I had with my recently sold 1990 735i BMW (a $60,000 car when new). Lets put this wind noise thing to rest. |
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Amen Psychdr...I regret ever starting this Thread...Everytime I click this link I see...the following post from Dancall:
quote:
"OHMEGOD DMOR! Here we go again!!!!! This is NOT a Lincoln Continental. It IS an SUV. For an SUV the wind "noise" is infitesimal (spelling?)..er..tiny. If the wind noise bothers you, then this TYPE of vehicle is not for you. This is the quietest vehicle I have ever owned. It is even quieter than my '87 Honda Prelude...Please do not be concerned about this. You should me more concerned about getting Mahogany ( !). Of course I am just kidding!!
