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?
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
there is a tsb for a 'cold soak' phenomenon. it happens infrequently and may be what you heard the first time.
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?
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.
Huh, never thought of it as a "feature", I was just worried it was a "bug". Thanks for the reassuring information.
