What Causes Air Leakage from the Driver's Door?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons for air leakage from the driver's door: 1. Deformation of the door hinge. A deformed door hinge can affect the door's sealing performance. 2. Premature aging of rubber. The door sealing strip is made of rubber, and improper maintenance or other reasons during daily use can cause the rubber to age prematurely, thereby affecting the door's sealing performance. It is recommended to visit a 4S store for adjustment or replacement of the door sealing performance. Additional information: The method for replacing the door sealing strip is as follows: 1. Remove the trim panel. For aesthetic and fixing purposes, most vehicle models on the market have their sealing strips wrapped with a door skirt trim panel. To remove the sealing strip, first, this part of the trim panel needs to be removed. The removal method is simple: similar to removing a phone back cover to replace the battery, just push and pull upwards with force to easily remove it. 2. Pry off the sealing strip. Since there are no clips, removing the sealing strip is much easier than removing the trim panel. Just pry it open with both hands. Note: It's best to remove the sealing strip from top to bottom to save effort. 3. Replace the sealing strip. Since the sealing strip has the same shape as the door structure, when replacing, the corners of the sealing strip should correspond to the door corners for accurate installation. After fixing the corners, simply push the sealing strip along the door edge into place. 4. Reattach the trim panel. After ensuring the sealing strip is fully secured and tightly fitted to the door, finally, just reattach the trim panel. Note: When installing the trim panel, ensure that the clip positions are fully secured. If loose, it may cause abnormal noises while driving.
I've had an old car for over ten years and have encountered air leaks from the driver's side door several times, mainly caused by the aging, hardening, and cracking of the door seal strip. This is especially noticeable in winter or at high speeds, where you can clearly feel cold air rushing in. The seal strip is made of rubber, and over time it becomes brittle or develops cracks, preventing it from tightly sealing against the door frame and allowing air to leak in. Additionally, if the door itself isn't closed properly or the door lock is misadjusted, it can leave a small gap for wind to enter. I've looked into this issue—it affects driving comfort, not only creating noise but also reducing the efficiency of the AC, making the heater less effective even when turned up high. I recommend checking the seal strip for damage yourself by feeling it with your hand. If you find any issues, take it to a repair shop for a replacement without delay. Otherwise, prolonged neglect can lead to increased fuel consumption and compromise driving safety.