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Help!! Wheel noise

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Kevintt, Nov 14, 2011.

  1. Kevintt

    Kevintt New Member

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    I just drive my 2011 new Prius class 5 off the lot, and I notice the front driver side or front tire make a lot of noise. Also I turn a low speed I can hear that noise. It sound like a shock noise sometimes and it sound like tire driving on bad surface noise. Pretty much I can hear it all the time the noise is very annoying because my wheel, tire, car is brand new with 49 miles.
    I'm asking Prius owner with 17 alloy wheel, do you have the same problem? Or the 15 inch wheel?
    I test drive the 15 and it was sort of bad but the 17 alloy make a lot of noise.

    I being to dealer they say it normal because of the big wheel and small tire. The bs to me, on the phone they say they will give me a same car to compare but when I got there there no
    Model for me to drive. Ty
     
  2. Econ

    Econ Member

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    Check the tire surface for object in the tread. Turning perhaps the wheel well is touching the moving tire.
    My 17's are stelth at low speeds both driving and turning. Lock to lock is also clear of any noise.

    What does the noise sound like? Ticking, scrubbing etc?
     
  3. Gary Otto

    Gary Otto Member

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    I have also noticed what seems like a bit of tire noise after having one of the OEM Yokohama Avids replaced at 5000 after it was holed by a very large lag screw. This car is much lower to the ground than previous cars I have owned, so maybe it is easier to hear road noise.
     
  4. Kevintt

    Kevintt New Member

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    Tread is fine
    I did a tire rotate still the same,
    Do no one have this problem but me.
    It sound like tread are worn out
    2 it make a hum hum sound
    3 if you drive at higher speed freeway, new pavement road I can hear a bum bum sound like the shock but there no movement on the road.
    4 I never drive a car that make these noise before
    5 damn toyota will not admit it a defect because it brand new.
    How do you contact toyota corp.?
     
  5. Kevintt

    Kevintt New Member

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    What noise do you have gray? Mine is Bridgestone did it make before or after with new tire.
     
  6. Bazil

    Bazil New Member

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    Drop in to your local tyre(tire) shop, they'll soon tell you if it's a tire problem
     
  7. ebenke

    ebenke Eco Member

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    In addition to the Prius problem, the OP has a serious problem with their grammar.

    The thread is written so poorly I can barely understand what the OP's problem really is.
     
  8. Gary Otto

    Gary Otto Member

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    It makes a noise a bit like a helicopter....it is not loud, but was not there prior to the tire replacement. It is just mildly annoying because before it was completely quiet. I took it to the dealer, but of course they couldn't hear it on a test drive (in the city) it is evident on smooth asphalt at 55 mph. They wouldn't waste their time checking to see if the tire monkey balanced it properly. If it really gets on my nerves, I'll take it to a real tire shop.
     
  9. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    I have had the same noise from new. It's not loud but is at an annoying frequency. It sounds like road noise transmitted through the suspension and it totally disappears on perfectly smooth tarmac (asphalt) but is present on all other surfaces.
    IMO the rubber suspension mountings are too hard, this is backed up by the fact that the noise is far worse in cold weather. Obviously the dealer says it's normal and a friend who has a Toyota Avensis says his sounds the same. I've learned to live with it by turning up the radio.
     
  10. tonymseattle

    tonymseattle Junior Member

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    I have a 2011 Prius IV, and purchased 17" wheels from a Prius V. I instantly noticed the loud noise even at low speeds. This is from a low profile tire, and having more tire hitting the road. It's really annoying and I just put the original 15" wheels back on the car and it's so much more quiet. I'd say go with a 15" wheel and you'll be much more happy. You'll have to go to the dealer to have them reset the tire pressure switch to match your car..
     
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Different tires could help with the noise. The Primacy MXM4 is a pretty quiet tire and comes in the OE 17" size.
     
  12. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    We have 2 Gen 3, package V's (factory 17" wheels). One has Bridgestone and I believe the other has Toyo tires. I'll check tonight when my wife gets home. Neither produces a lot of front tire noise and, most importantly, the tire sound is similar on both sides of the car. Given that the sound that you are hearing remained on the same side with tire rotation, perhaps you should take a turn in the front passenger seat or have the wheel bearings checked. Given this is a new car, it seems like a problem for your Toyota dealer.
     
  13. fumbling

    fumbling Junior Member

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    I had a loud noise, one toyota dealer said it was the tires, I drove it for another 10K miles, got noisier, took it to another toyota dealer, they replaced the rear driver's side wheel bearing, now nice and quiet again.
     
  14. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

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    Ummm, have you heard of the saying about people who live in glass houses?

    Join Date: May 2011
    Location: Where it warm and sunny

    Just pointing out the humor. Sometime you just have to have a little chuckle... :)
     
  15. priusbee

    priusbee Member

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    Tire noise - The only way to tell is to jack up the car off the floor. Rotate or spin the tire that makes the noise. Compare it to the other wheels. It could be the bearing that is defective or the tire is not balanced. Since this is a new car, you should just exchange it to a different car off the lot. I would have ask for a refund right there.
     
  16. justana

    justana Junior Member

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    I felt very irritating when the first time i drove my prius. Well, im so used to german cars, but i give it try with japanese car. The road noise is really bothering me, but i changed with 18" wheels with conti extreme, and all the road noise is gone....
     
  17. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I have had three different sets of tires on my Prius V, OEM Toyo, and two different types of Michelin. I have noticed no difference in noise between the three. I have driven Prius(es) with both the 15" and 17" wheels and tires and I don't remember any difference in noise. I am not saying there isn't any difference but I have average hearing and tend to pay attention to car noises and I didn't notice any difference, just a lot of road noise with all of them.

    If it were my car I would first check the tire pressures and make sure they are at least up to the pressures listed on the door post when cold, preferably 5 pounds or so higher. Next I would take the car to an independent tire shop and have them listen to it and look for problems. If they don't find anything I would go back to a dealer and take a test drive in another new Prius and see if it is the same or quieter.

    There isn't much sound insulation in the Prius so road and tire noises are loud. Same as the above poster, I too owned a Germain car and the noise level is considerably higher in a Prius. In my Prius I don't mind to much though because it tends to cover up some of the rattle noise. :)
     
  18. Rich32

    Rich32 Junior Member

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  19. Rich32

    Rich32 Junior Member

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    I thought my tires were picking up gravel, making a weird noise, but the oil pan cover had come loose and was dragging on the pavement. I suppose some higher speed vibrations could be due to loose covers under the car.
     
  20. Swellgal

    Swellgal Junior Member

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    I have the same "helicopter" noise and took it in to check for wheel bearings or balance issue. They told me I need new tires. I have barely 18K on my prius. Is it possible that I need to replace these OEM tires at 18K?