Noisy tires on 2014 Prius v package 5

have you tried running them at a few different pressures?

 

The OEM tires that came with our hatchback, Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max, are also pretty noisy as well.

SCH-I535

 

Upgrading to a real tire will help a lot. I threw those Toyos away after about 500 miles. They have crappy handling too, and mediocre MPG. But if you keep them try 40PSI.

 

I have the same OEM Toyo tires on my v. Haven't noticed them being excessively noisy and maintaining them at 40-42PSI gets me 44-45mpg average. I plan on replacing them with Michelin Energys when they wear out. However at almost 15K miles, the tires still have plenty of tread left.

 

Our OEM Proxes A20 at 19k miles at 41/40 PSI were never noisy and the tread wear trend suggests they'll go to 40k unless we choose to switch sooner.

 

Ernie1 - Who listens to Toyo Proxes A20 P215/50R17 90W generated hum and whine road noise, when they can tune into the sweet, melodious tones of my beautious Bride-For-Life chitchatting with her Chauffeur-For-Life as we electro-glide to our next destination, while miserly sipping fuel as we roll past gas station after gas station?

FWIW FYI: I run the Toyo Proxes on my Pv5 "Caddy In A Kimono" up-pressured at 51 PSI Front/50 PSI Rear "Cold." I enjoy the solid road feel, handling, low-to-mid 50s MPG lifetime fuel economy at 19,790-miles and counting, with even wear and beaucoup tread depth remaining (I estimate 40,000-Plus miles before replacement).

P.S.: The source of that "Whine" you hear may be emissions from the Hybrid Synergy Drive Motor-Generators. My darling wife periodically asks me, "Joe, do you hear a siren?" I regularly assure and tell her, "Darling, it is not an approaching Ambulance or Fire Truck, but merely the hybrid motors generators operating in the REGEN Mode."

 

I have 17" Toyo Proxes on mine and they are very quiet, but mine are not marked M&S.
I think you may have answered your own question,
"Sounds kinda like they're snow tires in that they hum and whine a lot at low speeds" when you said they're marked "M&S", they are Snow tyres

 

it's not the proximity notification system?

 

I'm not a tire expert and won't pretend to know everything but here are my 2 cents.

I also have the toyo A20's on plus 17' rims. I am finding they are quite noisy too but this depends on the road I am on. Certain types of roads here in my city seems to bring out a lot of road noise that I can barely hear my radio whereas other roads are quiet. I believe it depends on how much gravel or rocks are used to construct the road.

Other than that, the stiffer rubber compound on fuel saving tires such as these, as well as the lower profile rubber (assuming you have 17' wheels too) will most likely result in more noise in the cabin.

I used to have a 1989 Honda civic running with 165-60-R13's. The car was super quiet because of the higher profile sidewall and softer Michelin Mx-4 rainforce tires.

Aside from replacement tires like a few have mentioned here, perhaps if you are doing a stereo upgrade in the future, dynamat the car with some sound insulation in the doors, floor panels etc!

 

I have the A20's and have been impressed with the ride and comfort. I typically keep them inflated to 39/37. I think they ride quieter and smoother than then the original 15" tires on my previous 2010 Prius IV. What I don't like is the replacement pricing - they're quite expensive when compared to other LRR tires. I only have about 16,000 miles on them now, but will likely switch to Michelin Energy Saver A/S unless something better comes along.

 

I purchased my new 2o14 V 5 two days ago and today took it on a 140 mile road trip. I was delighted with the 47.2 mpg I received, but was deeply disappointed with the road noise especially on certain concrete roadways. At one point traveling at about 65 mph on a bypass I thought perhaps a bearing was going out it was so bad. I have A20s . I will note that when I left the interstate and travelled on a smooth paved two lane road the car was relatively quiet.

My wife has a 2009 Prius and it seems relatively quiet when driven on the same roads as I travelled on today with the V. It also seems to ride much smoother than the V 5. I can't believe Toyota would not have corrected this during prototype testing. I am hoping adjusting the tire pressure helps. If not I may do something I never considered before... returning the car to the dealer.

Update: 6/9/2014 - I did add air to front tires. They were originally at 32 psi and I bumped to 34. Don't know if it was that or I just got used to the noise, but my drive back on same roads seemed quieter . I have put about 1000 additional miles on this car since my original post and I would say 80% to 90% of the time noise level is quite acceptable especially when driving 65 or below. When it is not car is most likely on a coarse stone pavement or a concrete roadway with lateral rain grooves cut into it.

 

When using Toyota recommended psi's - 33/32 - the ride is almost plush. I don't see much difference in mpg's, but inflate them up a bit to get better tire wear.

 

Aren't all all-seasons marked M+S?

 

That's so true. I always have a hell of a time driving with imaginary tires, lol.

 

We have no complaints with the original A20s at 41/40psi.