Cabrio Top "Slap"

[NoRo13]

At highway speeds, and especially on windy days, the wind seems to get under the top at the sides (behind the doors) and the top slaps back against the sides. It's quite loud. Has anyone else encountered this phenomenon?

[magilly00]

Yes, I too have noticed the noise many times. Just a couple of weeks ago, I let the local smart car {brand manager} drive my car and on the highway we encountered some side winds and he thought he did not have the top closed all the way, I don't think he had heard it before up in till that point.

[bobhodgen]

Mine does it too when it's windy and I'm running over 60.. Probably normal.

[NCC1701]

Are y'all talking about a flapping with the roof closed?

I have noticed a little motion on rare occasions with the roof back, barely noticeable ... certainly not what I would call "quite loud". Nothing with the roof closed though. And I've done quite a bit of highway driving. If it's normal, maybe there's something wrong with my car. <j/k>

[Mike T]

My 450 never does that, wind or no wind, at speeds up to 84 MPH.

On the 450 at least, there are owner-adjustable roof tension straps that can eliminate small wind noises. They can be accessed with the roof partially open.

Perhaps the 451 has this too?

[Padawan]

All Ball did it most frequently when there were large trucks are heavy winds on the highway. Smoky does it a fair bit less (knock on wood), but his top has only been opened/closed a few times so far. I think it is probably a result of the way the top is designed, and as long as it's not constantly flapping as you're driving and there are no water leaks, you're okay.

[SmartDigger]

Mine does not slap it whissles. if the window is down on a windy day or if there is a strong gust out.

[ulflyer]

Mine does it too, often at low speeds, but its not constant and not very loud. Seems to me to be normal "slap" against the top ribs since the fabric has to have some looseness in it.

MagillyOO: what did your svc mngr do about your noise?

[wrumbarger]

I have had a cabrio for over 18 months.

There is a SMALL amount of slap/flutter when the roof is closed and driving at highway speed (or higher). BUT it really should not be noticable (especially if you are using your radio/CD)?

IF you have a LARGE amount of slap/flutter, then your smart service center needs to do a tension adjustment (NOT something that is owner servicable).

Call your smart service tech, explain the problem and ask when the tension adjustment can be scheduled (if you are still under warranty, it should be covered)

[NoRo13]

Ours does it with the top closed. It seems to be a recent occurrence, and I'm thinking that the top material is stretching out as the car breaks in. It has a little over 2,300 miles on it. It's most noticeable in the scenario Padawan mentions - windy days and big trucks.

We haven't brought the car back to the dealer yet, but this will certainly be brought up when we do - along with the "dome" light that sometimes stays on all night, and the plastic panel squeak on the driver side quarter, where we got whacked by a minivan 912 miles after we bought the car.