Recorded annoying Prius noise...is this normal?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by StillDrivesA95Camry, Nov 24, 2010.

  1. StillDrivesA95Camry

    StillDrivesA95Camry New Member

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    Is this Prius noise normal? (see attachment)

    Just leased a new 2010 Prius and I have one major complaint - it emits an intermittent high pitched noise that's pretty annoying. It basically sounds like the electrical interference noise you'd here from a broken TV or CRT monitor. I've attached a clip of the noise (recorded with an iPhone) which can clearly be heard with a good pair of headphones (since the frequency is really high). Let me know what you think. Thanks!
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 StillDrivesA95Camry, Nov 24, 2010
  2. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    When I first got my Prius I was hearing all sorts of noises that I've never heard before on my Tacoma. The high pitch noise is normal. You'll this type of noise on high voltage electronics. The Prius battery in the back is 240 volts. It then gets inverted to 650 volts before feeding to the electric motor.
     
    #2 cproaudio, Nov 24, 2010
  3. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    m4a is not supported on my work pc, but a high pitched CRT type whine is 100% normal. it's louder when accelerating hard in EV mode or maxing the CHG zone when braking. It's just the sound of electrons flowing :)
     
    #3 Flaninacupboard, Nov 24, 2010
  4. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

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    I have never heard the described sounds. See, there are advantages to being deaf to high frequency sounds.
     
    #4 Felt, Nov 24, 2010
  5. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I suspect it is the normal inverter noises you are hearing, you could go back to the dealer and test drive another Prius and see if it is the same.

    Most Prius owners either like it, as I do, or have learned to accept it. If it's truly objectionable you have leased the wrong car and could try to trade for a non-hybrid.
     
    #5 tumbleweed, Nov 24, 2010
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Re: Is this Prius noise normal? (see attachment)

    Working on the principle of "teach a man to fish," you might want to look at the freeware, Audacity. You could load the sound into the package and use the built-in, spectral analysis to analyze the frequency. It also allows you to measure exactly when the sound occurs.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #6 bwilson4web, Nov 24, 2010
  7. StillDrivesA95Camry

    StillDrivesA95Camry New Member

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    I spoke to a tech at my Toyota dealership today to explain the high frequency noise issue and he told me that his dealership is well aware of this problem. After he listened to the noise he told me that many customers have complained and are unsatisfied with the 3rd Gen Prius because of this. He also said that this is a 3rd gen Prius specific issue, and the 3rd gen emits significantly more high frequency noise than the 2nd gen. He then referred me to a manager who told me that unfortunately there's nothing the dealership can do because they don't make the cars, they just sell them. The manager did however give me the number to a "Toyota Customer Experience Center" which is 1-800-331-4331.

    What I took from this meeting is that
    1) Toyota dealers are well aware of this 3rd gen specific issue and
    2) The dealers acknowledge that this is a legitimate complaint which points out a flaw in the design of the 3rd gen Prius.

    I believe the dealers want to see this issue fixed so they don't have unsatisfied customers, which is why he encouraged me to call Toyota. I also believe Toyota is aware of this, but since it's not a life and death situation, they'd rather not receive more bad press with yet another Prius fix. If anyone else is experiencing this issue, please call Toyota so your voice is heard.
     
    #7 StillDrivesA95Camry, Nov 24, 2010
  8. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    If i have the radio on, i can't hear the car anymore. can you? I can easily hear it in the recording, but the funny groaning noise from the brakes (i think that's what it is) is much louder.

    I don't think this is a real problem, most people over the age of 25 probably can't even hear it.
     
    #8 Flaninacupboard, Nov 25, 2010
  9. StillDrivesA95Camry

    StillDrivesA95Camry New Member

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    I can still hear it even with the radio on. When listening to music from my iPod, I have to turn the volume up to about 17 on the Prius to drown out the noise, and even then if there are any silent gaps in the music I can hear it. It's true that older people are less sensitive to high frequency pitches, but I'm 29 and have good hearing so this is a big problem. I don't mind loud engine or braking noise because those are at a lower frequency range. High frequency noises (in the 10000 Hz - 15000 Hz range) are much more annoying even at a lower volume.

    If Toyota doesn't roll out a fix, I'm going to look into transferring my lease because I really can't take three years of this.
     
    #9 StillDrivesA95Camry, Nov 25, 2010
  10. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    They aren't going to roll out a fix.

    Give it another month and you'll have forgotten all about it.

    I usually have my music on about 25.
     
    #10 Flaninacupboard, Nov 25, 2010
  11. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I have several dead spots in my hearing from a misspent youth, and from knocking holes in the North Atlantic for 11 years---so I can't hear this noise in my G3.
    One of the advantages of being in my late 40's...:D

    Others are right though....if this noise is really that bad for you personally, then you need to engage Yota's customer support - or simply turn your radio up a bit.
    I you don't want to pull the cord on Prius ownership---you can always get yourself a low mileage G2 as a means of staying in the fold!

    Good Luck!!!!
     
    #11 ETC(SS), Nov 27, 2010
  12. RogerR2

    RogerR2 New Member

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    Re: Is this Prius noise normal? (see attachment)

    I have been to my dealer with my 2010 IV Prius with the same complaint. I called Toyota who sent me back to the dealer. They pulled a brand new, just off the truck 2010 and it had the same high pitched squeal. It only occurs while the vehicle is in gear. If you shift to neutral while moving slowly, the sound disappears. The explanation I received was that it comes from the Hybrid system. I recorded the sound with my IPhone and removed all background noise. The recording is attached (If I did this right).
     
    #12 RogerR2, Nov 30, 2010
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