Will A Sliding Rear Window Stop Interior Wind Buffeting?

Dale_K · July 18, 2011

My 2010 regular cab beats me up whenever I try to ride around with the windows rolled down. It's so bad I can't stand it and either roll them back up again or only crack them an inch. I really enjoy driving around in the fresh air. I bought a new Cruze this weekend and realized there's no buffeting in a car when you lower ALL the windows but buffets just like the truck if only the front windows are lowered.

My question is directed to anybody with a regular cab and a sliding rear window. Will opening the rear slider stop or reduce the buffeting I feel when I roll down the side windows? Can I enjoy a nice ride in the fresh air if I buy a slider and open up everything?

cliobogger · July 18, 2011

it should stop most if not all of it. i do not own one but it just makes sense.

ryan_hermanutz · July 18, 2011

It should, I have an extended cab and it's horrible, especially when the rear windows are down.

Major_Kong · July 18, 2011

I don't have a rear window on my Silverado but I do have one on my regular cab Ranger and it does suck in quite a lot of air. It does such a good job that I have to make sure that there aren't any leaves or other debris in the bed because it will get sucked into the cabin. I only roll down the driver's side window (no power windows on the Ranger ) so I don't know what the effects would be with all of the windows down, but driver's side window and the rear window provide enough ventilation for me.

sw6416 · July 18, 2011

I can't speak for the regular cab, however I have a power slider on my crew cab. I always open or crack the slider when the windows are down and have no problems with Buffeting.

blacksierra01 · July 18, 2011

a rear slider stops all buffetting in my 85 sierra, i wish my 01 had one too

Doug_Scott · July 19, 2011

By buffeting are you all referring to that low frequency thump? In my truck with just the rear windows down (ext cab), and you hit 40nph it sounds like a helicopter is in the back seat. Have to lower the fronts about 2 inches to get rid of it. I also get a loud flapping sound from the shoulder belt slapping the seat.

sonjaab · July 19, 2011

My 07 x-cab does the same thing!

So I just use the a/c!

jf781 · July 19, 2011

I had a 95 F150 and it took care of all of it.

I'm redoing a 71 C10 and am putting in a slider just because they are nice to have. I think the non-slider windows look cooler but it's just nice to have. Especially on a cooler morning when you don't want the window down but want a little fresh air.

FWIW - On my 09 crew if I put the drivers down all the day and then crack the passenger rear 3" or so it takes care of all the buffeting and you can a nice cross breeze.

crepitus · July 19, 2011

It should, I have an extended cab and it's horrible, especially when the rear windows are down.

I have an extended and I get it when only the fronts are down. All 4 down and its fine. My old S10 had a rear slider and it took care of the buffeting.

sabre364 · July 19, 2011

Every suv or truck I have ever been in has had buffeting when only the rear windows are down. The fronts gotta drop a bit to clear it. Can't speak for a regular cab though.

Silverado4x4 · July 19, 2011

This kinda strange because I have a ext.cab longbed and dont get any buffeting in the cab with all windows down or just the back or just the 2 front down and I dont have a rear slider.

I have had just my rear windows down and forgot they were down when getting home.

rogerf · July 20, 2011

My '95 Dakota reg cab had a rear slider which took care of buffeting but got alot of drivetrain noise with the window open . My '97 C1500 lacked a rear slider and buffeted badly. Was roughly the same price to add a slider as it was to add a simple pop-up sun roof. Got the sun roof which took care of the buffeting and was alot quieter than the slider.