Highway wind noise

[jbjb]

Hi all!
I purchased my 550 luxury about a month ago and love it but couple quirks.

I am curious if anyone else feels that the wind noise at highway speeds is quite loud? I recognize it is a large boxy SUV but I am a little shocked. A couple times I have had to verify that the sunroof is completely closed.

I have taken a few 1+ hr road trips so I know this isn't due to a windy day.

Any opinions and insights are greatly appreciated!

 

[BryanM68]

Do you have an oem roof rack? Folks have said they produce a lot of wind noise.

 

[jbjb]

Do you have an oem roof rack? Folks have said they produce a lot of wind noise.

I do not have a roof rack or any exterior modifications.

Thank you for the thought!

 

[ilumo]

I have a luxury +. I feel like it’s louder than my Macan and my GLS. So it’s loud relative to some other vehicles but in absolute terms I don’t think it’s loud. That said you should just take out your phone and try to measure the decibels on the highway.

 

[jbjb]

I have a luxury +. I feel like it’s louder than my Macan and my GLS. So it’s loud relative to some other vehicles but in absolute terms I don’t think it’s loud. That said you should just take out your phone and try to measure the decibels on the highway.

I am coming from a MB CLS so I recognized the difference would be noticable but still quite a bit more than expected.

I will use my phone to measure it the next time I am on the highway. I am curious if there is a ballpark dB rating I can compare my measurements?

 

[Merriweather]

Some folks have said they think the mirrors are also responsible. Maybe someone will be the guinea pig and stick on some shark fins or vortex generators and measure before and after decibel readings. Sorry, I can't oblige. No GX yet.

 

[ilumo]

According to the car confections web site (https://carconfections.com/luxury-midsize-3-row-suvs-sound-level-readings/)it should be around 54dB or so on the highway.

 

[rangertrace]

Come ride with me and you will feel great about yours.....

 

[Merriweather]

Rangertrace, tell. You have an OT, right? With roof rack noise if I recall correctly. OTs just come with rails. Did you add crossbars? Did you wrap them?

 

[KatoDad]

I joined specifically to respond to this maddening wind noise issue.

Per Lexus protocol, met and drove with my service department manager who informed me that the GX550's boxy upright shape predisposed the vehicle to such wind noise (which I should have recognized during my test drive). This was the implied take home message. He would file a complaint on my behalf with Lexus / Toyota and suggested that one wait for version 2.0.

I called 1-800-25-LEXUS as well and filed a complaint about the wind noise as well which starts around 45 mph and its pitch increases with speed. Did not measure decibel level as it clearly negatively impacts the quality of my journey. Toyota should address this immediately and I suggest that one file complaints directly with Lexus as shop managers are not the most sympathetic.

This was not an issue with my presumed antiquated 22 Lexus GX 460 which was a pleasure to drive ... but showing it age as well. More to follow regarding 460 VS 550 findings.

 

[incognito.gx]

Try running the OEM crossbars…

 

[KatoDad]

Sorry. Should have been more specific. It seems Referable to the side mirror, I assume. I would also assume the crossbar increases resistance and turbulence but will consider. Thanks

 

[incognito.gx]

Sorry. Should have been more specific. It seems Referable to the side mirror, I assume. I would also assume the crossbar increases resistance and turbulence but will consider. Thanks

Oh sorry I meant the noise is unbearable. I only ran them for a week and took them off

 

[rangertrace]

Rangertrace, tell. You have an OT, right? With roof rack noise if I recall correctly. OTs just come with rails. Did you add crossbars? Did you wrap them?

I took the entire roof rack off. Just have the side rails now. It's super quiet now compared to before. I ran into another OT owner this weekend in Southlake. She too, is very unhappy with the wind noise on the highway. I volunteered to help her husband take it off.

 

[FJMainiac]

I have an OT and removed the roof rack, MUCH better. However there is still an odd wind noise that is coming from the mirror or pillar starting around 40 mph. Need to play around more to see if I can better pinpoint it.

 

[Pottsy]

I have an OT and removed the roof rack, MUCH better. However there is still an odd wind noise that is coming from the mirror or pillar starting around 40 mph. Need to play around more to see if I can better pinpoint it.

Bet it’s the mirrors. Open the window and put your hand in front of the bottom of the round post the mirror sits and rotates on. I get a whistle from there. I’m trying to think of something I could put there to test ways to stop the whistling.

 

[KatoDad]

I agree that the wind noise starts around 40mph . When you retract the driver's side mirror ... at 45 degrees, the wind noise briefly resolves and returns when the mirror is fully retracted. try it. As it's an electronic engagement, it's all or nothing. I've discussed this issue with the Lexus Brand Engagement Center representative (who knows your entire Lexus/Toyota new car purchase and warranty history). The more complaints they have logged, the more serious the claim may be escalated. 1-800-25-LEXUS. Reported the known hood flutter issue as well. Porsche had a similar mirror wind noise issue and may have released a TSB. As the stereo in this version of the GX 550 is garbage (unlike the wonderful Mark Levinson in the GX 460), I'm focused on the hanging wind chimes on my mirror to drown out the freakin wind noise of my vehicle with 300 miles her.

 

[jamesnewbern]

I noticed today at highway speed driving into a wind there is a lot of wind noise. I tested turning the recirculation button on and it deceased it over 50%. Give that a test and post your results.

 

[ilumo]

I noticed today at highway speed driving into a wind there is a lot of wind noise. I tested turning the recirculation button on and it deceased it over 50%. Give that a test and post your results.

You should measure the noise with your phone (decibel x app) and see what it picks up.