Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual: Air/Wind Noise

Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual / General Information / Air/Wind Noise

Special Tools

CH-39570 Chassis Ear
GE-41416 Ultrasonic Leak Detector

Warning: Refer to Assistant Driving Warning in the Preface section.

To analyze a reported windnoise condition, test drive the vehicle to determine the origin of the noise.

Choose a regular route with smooth and straight streets that run in all 4 directions: North, South, East, and West. The area should have little traffic or little noise in order to eliminate interference with the test.

Note: Often there is one primary leak source and one or more secondary leaks that contribute to the noise condition. Repairing only one of the contributing leak sources may not completely repair the total condition but only reduce the condition.

Drive the vehicle at the speed in which the noise was noticed, or until the noise is heard. Maintain safe and legal speeds.

Many of the waterleak diagnosis tests are also used for the windnoise diagnosis.

Most windnoise is caused either by leaking seals or by misaligned body surfaces. You can diagnose the following types of windnoise with the aid of CH-39570 Chassis Ear or GE-41416 Leak Detector .

Wind whistle
Wind roar
Wind rush

When moving at highway speeds, air pressure inside the vehicle becomes greater than the air pressure outside. When a leak occurs, the escaping air causes a hiss or a whistle.

Wind roar occurs when air passes over or through an opening between the 2 body surfaces. To correct the condition, adjust the alignment to the body surfaces.

Wind rush occurs when air presses over the vehicle's body, and is related to the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Wind whistle and wind roar are repairable. Rule out wind whistle and wind roar before concluding that the wind noise is due to wind rush.

Use the following inspections in order to aid in diagnosing wind whistle or wind roar:

Note the details for wind noise:

The perceived location
The location where the noise is loudest
When the noise occurs
The vehicle speed
The interior fan speed
The position of the windows
What the noise sounds like

Inspect the vehicle for the possible cause of the windnoise.
Test drive the vehicle and determine if the windnoise is external or internal.
Perform a visual inspection of the following components:

Loose fasteners
Torn weatherstrips
Broken weld joints
Sealer and/or adhesive skips

Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle

Note: The use of a LOW PROFILE LIFT ARMS SYSTEM may be required to avoid unwanted contact with the vehicle's body and structure depending on lifting equipment used. Refer to the manufacture's recom ...

Tracing Powder or Chalk Test

Clean the weatherstrips and the contact surfaces with cleaning solvent. Apply powder or chalk in an unbroken line to the contact surface of the weatherstrip surrounding the perimeter of the sus ...

Other materials:

Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving through large puddles and deep-standing or flowing water. WARNING Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not work as wel ...

Interior Lighting
Dome Lamps The dome lamp controls are located in the headliner. : Press to turn the lamps off, even when a door is open. : Press to turn the lamps on automatically when a door is opened. : Press to turn on the dome lamps. Reading Lamps The reading lamps are located in the overhead con ...

Climate Controls
The heating, cooling, defrosting, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with these systems. Vehicles without Air Conditioning 1. Temperature Control 2. Bi-level Air Mode 3. Floor Air Mode 4. Vent Air Mode 5. Fan Control 6. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (If Equipped) 7. Re ...