Ugh..what do I do?!?

[WPJoe]

Just test drove a GT2 and loved it. Second test drive and came away even more positive.

However, I feel like each time I drive it I come away with a small headache. It feels like either the exhaust note (which I had turned down to Minimized) or perhaps the noise canceling feature of the HK system (suggested to me in another thread) may be messing with my ears and giving me a little buzzing headache.

Im kind of distressed by it - I am ready to buy the car, but cant quite figure out if these things are related. Does anyone know if these is a way to deactivate that noise canceling feature? Anyone have any suggestions on figuring this out?

Its weird and Im a bit at a loss...

 

[VetteNZMan]

Test drive again with good foam ear plugs or other hearing protection maybe, just a thought.

 

[Soca Boy]

Try the custom mode, you can adjust the exhaust note.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Turn the music up.

 

[Never thought]

There is no noise cancelling from the HK system. Perhaps you’re gunning it and that’s giving you the headache? The engine noise nor exhaust is very loud.

 

[mandasol]

Just an idea, it might be the VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds). My wife is very sensitive to smell and gets headaches from new cars. So much so that I researched years ago and found Volvos have some of lowest VOC's so she only drives Volvos. She says my Stinger has a really strong new car smell and gets headaches after only a few minutes so she refuses to drive or ride in my car. I notice the new car smell was much stronger in my car but it doesn't bother as much.

 

[StingMe]

If you park inside a garage, leave the windows open to aid in interior VOC reduction.

They migrate out of materials and will lessen with time.

Keep A/C Recirc off if possible to provide VOC venting.

 

[mandasol]

I park in a garage at night and try to leave the windows down as often as I can and it helps. After I installed tint and couldn't roll the windows down the past few days I noticed the VOC again big time.

 

[WPJoe]

Thanks for all the feedback - its never happened from new cars before, so I dont know about the VOC...but I guess if its possible if it varies by car (my past ones have been Subarus).

Something similar happened to me when I test drove the Jaguar F-Pace, which also had this rumbly exhaust note that kind of buzzed throughout the ride, so thats why I thought that might be the issue...

 

[Sypsy]

Is it adrenaline? I imagine most people are pretty excited during the test drive.

 

[AV8R]

Stick ur fingers in your ears! Lol

 

[SteveCo]

Another vote for the VOCs being a likely cause. It was very noticeable to me especially when I picked the car up, and both the strength and odor of it I could easily see causing a mild headache. Good idea on keeping the windows down to speed up the off gassing, at least for a period of time.

 

[AV8R]

I agree about smell yet I have not noticed anything as yet. Years ago there was a similar problem in a British aerospace BAe146 which had fume issues. You need to follow your nose on this one to find out where it’s coming from. Some people don’t have sensitive smell and the reaction so I don’t think Kia will do anything unless it maimed a person.

 

[WPJoe]

Reviving this post:

I got my dealer to let me have an overnight test drive. On the way home, I got the same throbbing in my temples which is very strange.

It was again suggested to me that the GT2 has Active Noise Cancelling which can have this effect.

Two questions:
1. Can anyone confirm or reject whether the GT2 doe sin fact have this?
2. If it does, I have research online that sometimes the only way to disable it to find the specific microphone the system uses to collect cabin sound and "cancel" against it. Thie mike can be removed and then the ANC is eliminated. I dont know where to even start finding this but I thought perhaps one of the savvier forum members might?

 

[patriotsfan82]

Reviving this post:

I got my dealer to let me have an overnight test drive. On the way home, I got the same throbbing in my temples which is very strange.

It was again suggested to me that the GT2 has Active Noise Cancelling which can have this effect.

Two questions:
1. Can anyone confirm or reject whether the GT2 doe sin fact have this?
2. If it does, I have research online that sometimes the only way to disable it to find the specific microphone the system uses to collect cabin sound and "cancel" against it. Thie mike can be removed and then the ANC is eliminated. I dont know where to even start finding this but I thought perhaps one of the savvier forum members might?

I can't help with the Active Noise Cancelling feature, but I'm curious if you have noticed any other issues that you think might contribute to this? I've noticed on occasion that at certain speeds the cabin seems to enter a weird state that messes with my head a bit.

It's something with my ears - although I'm not sure what. I would initially liken it to a very very minor version of "wind buffeting" - that pulsing noise and feeling you get with one window down in most modern cars. Again, very minor and I mostly just notice it as a minor head/ear discomfort.

I've struggled to figure out whats causing it - is it a specific noise/frequency? Chassis vibration from the speed? If there was noise cancelling technology I would fully expect that it could have a similar effect with my ears if it was misbehaving.

 

[JVsGT]

My vote is for the VOCs as stated above. Noticed very early on and most prevalent when activating the cooled front seats. It gave me a headache.

 

[Waynerm002]

Put the windows down, open up the sunroof, turn the ac on max and drive the car at highway speed to blow out that stuff. MY current Optima had some new car scent placed in it after a wash that got me feeling sick when I drove it, took a few days to get it out.

 

[WPJoe]

Yes its much more like that. Its not exactly just a headache, its like a pressure on my temples. Thats why Im not sure that the odor is the answer.

It does almost feel like the "one window open" sensation, but for me its more constant...weird. Not sure what to do...

 

[Buzz-Kill]

I felt it too! Almost a buzzing like front drivetrain or wheel bearing noise. I even heard it while rolling 20mph on smooth pavement in Neutral. When you stop the car, the noise stops... ????

 

[GenesisG70]

Buy Rolls Royce phantom