A Wind Noise Cause and Resolution

[DadzBoyz]

I've had my MME GTPE since December 17, 2022. It was built October 17, 2022.

Being my first EV, I know the types of sounds and their volume would be very different from all of the ICE vehicles that I've had before.

In my experience, the car was quiet, comparatively speaking.

• Some wind noise that I attributed to the mirrors.
• I can hear the motors, but that's minor. Nothing of note.
• It's also funny to hear leaves, small road debris, etc. hit the wheel wells going through my neighborhood. I've never heard that in an ICE vehicle.... probably because I heard the engine and transmission.

Yesterday, I took my car to Safelite to have the windshield replaced. I refuse to drive behind trucks, avoid driving next to them, avoid people with leaf blowers, etc. Nonetheless, over the last few months, the windshield was absolutely peppered with nicks, chips, etc. Comparatively speaking, none of the cars that I've owned, driving the same roads and routes, have had anywhere near the damage after years of use (cars from Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Hyundai, Lexus). Someone here joked that the MME windshields are made of "rock candy and warm water". I know coatings won't really protect the windshield from hard debris, but I will be coating this windshield nonetheless.

ANYWAY, to the point..... When a windshield is installed, there is an adhesive primer that is brushed on the part of the body that makes the windshield frame. After that, they lay down the windshield adhesive, like caulk out of a caulk gun.
When they removed the original windshield, they showed me that there was about a 2 inch area, near the bottom driver's side of the windshield, where there was no primer or adhesive. He suggested that there was likely some wind noise coming from that spot.

With the new windshield in.... Yes. I did notice that now there is less wind noise.

I should have taken a picture, but I was talking to him, listening in on a meetings for work, and the thought didn't cross my mind. My apologies.

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[Mach1E]

My wind noise went way down when my windshield was replaced as well.

Safelite showed my how uneven the gap at the top of the windshield was.

The new installed one was much more even.

Whoever installs the windshield in Mexico doesn’t seem to take too much time lining it up.

looking at the pics when they replaced mine, I did have adhesive all around:

 

[Maquis]

Early 2021 models were recalled due to improperly installed windshields. Sounds like it’s still a problem.

I presume your insurance covered the replacement?

 

[DadzBoyz]

Early 2021 models were recalled due to improperly installed windshields. Sounds like it’s still a problem.

I presume your insurance covered the replacement?

Yes.
In FL, insurance companies are required to cover windshield repair or replacement without a deductible or impact on premiums.

 

[Neil4Real]

Do you think it made a significant difference? The wind noise is driving me crazy on my GTPE. My Premium was super quiet - before and after the windshield recall.

My GTPE, even with a weather strip at the top, drives me nuts. I'm friendly with my dealer and they said they'd warranty redoing my windshield if I really wanted them too, but they're also focused on the top, neither of us thought the seal elsewhere is janky. I'd love to push them to do this now if it makes a real difference and isn't a minor reduction.

 

[azerik]

Early 2021 models were recalled due to improperly installed windshields. Sounds like it’s still a problem.

I presume your insurance covered the replacement?

Mine was just replaced, I get it back tomorrow. I had the windshield to roof gap issue which made the noise top right corner of the windshield.
Welcome to the nearly quiet land of EV driving. After a year it’s really hard to go back. I never did.

 

[Mach1E]

Do you think it made a significant difference? The wind noise is driving me crazy on my GTPE. My Premium was super quiet - before and after the windshield recall.

My GTPE, even with a weather strip at the top, drives me nuts. I'm friendly with my dealer and they said they'd warranty redoing my windshield if I really wanted them too, but they're also focused on the top, neither of us thought the seal elsewhere is janky. I'd love to push them to do this now if it makes a real difference and isn't a minor reduction.

Try putting painters tape around the whole windshield and driving to see for yourself if it makes a difference.

 

[nmope]

Do you think it made a significant difference? The wind noise is driving me crazy on my GTPE. My Premium was super quiet - before and after the windshield recall.

My GTPE, even with a weather strip at the top, drives me nuts. I'm friendly with my dealer and they said they'd warranty redoing my windshield if I really wanted them too, but they're also focused on the top, neither of us thought the seal elsewhere is janky. I'd love to push them to do this now if it makes a real difference and isn't a minor reduction.

What kind of weather strip and where did you put it? I find there to be a lot of wind noise in my car too, even at low speeds.

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