So yesterday I'm coming home from work in my 3 week old '05. I'm on the parkway going about 63mph. It's warm, so I decide to lower some windows and get some fresh spring air. Accidentaly, I lowered the rear left passenger window instead of "my" window. The car fills with a low frequency, high volume hum that seems to be the rear hatch vibrating. I rolled up the window. I tried the other rear window (right side), same thing. When I lowered either of the front windows I didn't have the vibration. Today I did some tests going to and from work. I double checked that the hatch was tightly closed. I retracted the cargo cover. Nothing helped. I still got the vibration -- which was scary. Seeing the hatch in the rear view mirror, I could just imagine the glass shattering. Has anyone else experienced this, or definitively have not? I figure the latch for the hatch is adjustable and it can be lowered a few mm. But, since the car is new, I don't see that as "my job". All help is appreciated!
Yea, the Prius design really doesn't make it good for higher speed windows down driving. The 'hum' you describe is the problem. I don't think you're likely to be at risk for the hatch breaking, but I think any pleasantness you'd get from the spring air would be quickly eliminated by the noise. There are some side window wind deflectors available (don't have the time to look for the info right now) that might help if you're a habitual windows down driver.
if you are describing what I think you are describing, it is basically air pressure vibrations. If you open another window at least a little on the opposite side of the car, the noise should reduce if not disappear altogether.
Thanks y'all. I did notice that if I put both rear windows down the vibration went away. When I'm driving if I'm going to put any window down, it'll be my window. Yesterday's discovery was an accident. If it's normal, then I'm glad; I won't sweat it. Now I'm just waiting for the fuel gauge to lower enough to go get my 2nd tank, so I can draw a line.
