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Not "eerily quiet" (2012 Prius II)

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by halohiker, Apr 21, 2012.

  1. halohiker

    halohiker New Member

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    I've had everyone that owns a Prius or knows someone who owns one comment on how "eerily" quiet they are. I drove my friend's 2010 II last weekend and they were right. I wasn't even sure if the car was on oarar not. So I test drove a 2012 Prius II two days ago. It was not super quiet. It had 1 mile on it when I got in it. So I test drove another one for comparison. It had 60 miles on it. It was not super quiet either. So now I am paranoid. Did something change between 2010 and 2012? Or are my expectations too high?
     
    #1 halohiker, Apr 21, 2012
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at what speeds did you notice the difference? my new plug in is quieter at driving speeds than my 08, but not as quiet as my wife's hycam.
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 21, 2012
  3. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    What sort of noise were you hearing? The 2012's have a proximity warning system that broadcasts a "tractor beam" noise at low speeds to help prevent startled pedestrians. You could get a leftover 2011 to avoid that and Entune :) .
     
    #3 css28, Apr 21, 2012
  4. halohiker

    halohiker New Member

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    It was city driving, 35-45 mph, but I noticed it on startup on both cars.
     
    #4 halohiker, Apr 21, 2012
  5. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Cold startup is the "noisiest" mode for the Prius, with the engine running at a somewhat elevated speed to get the O2 sensor kicked in, etc.
    I haven't driven a 2010 for comparison, but I consider the experience pretty quiet after warmup.
     
    #5 css28, Apr 21, 2012
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    engine start up, or car start up (electric)?
     
    #6 bisco, Apr 21, 2012
  7. halohiker

    halohiker New Member

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    Well, I went to test drive it again today, and it seemed fine this time. I must have just been having a moment the other day. Sale stalled on negotiation though. They werent willing to come down to my price. I walked. Oh well. The search continues.
     
    #7 halohiker, Apr 21, 2012
  8. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    :( Bummer to hear, went through that about two months ago at the Toyota in Tyson's area - deal on the car was good, but was dissed big time on the trade. Next day got a better deal always around at Carmax Toyota in Laurel. That was of course before high gas prices pushed things up this way to the MSRP.

    Good luck on your search.
     
    #8 ChipL, Apr 21, 2012
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there is a tsb for a 'cold soak' phenomenon. it happens infrequently and may be what you heard the first time.
     
    #9 bisco, Apr 21, 2012
  10. idbug

    idbug Prius Newbie

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    I have noticed on mine, when I take my foot off the brake and the EV drive engages, a weird reverb spring sound, much like on one of those "laser gun" toys for kids. Hard to describe. Freaked me out the first time I heard it too. Still freaks me out a bit. Is this the "tractor beam" sound css28 was referring to?
     
    #10 idbug, May 8, 2012
  11. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

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    Or some call it the Flying saucer sound, but that would be the VPNS used to help notify the car is nearby for people with poor vision.
     
    #11 Keiichi, May 8, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  12. idbug

    idbug Prius Newbie

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    Huh, never thought of it as a "feature", I was just worried it was a "bug". Thanks for the reassuring information. :)
     
    #12 idbug, May 9, 2012
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