Engine knocking at start up... Did not complete warmup cycle the previous night

good point.

 

You still have 12 seconds of EV, regardless of conditions. Not a lot, maybe enough for a shuffle tho. And if you shut down and restart, another 12 seconds.

 

I realize this isn't really the topic, but why are you moving the car two blocks? In response to a parking regulation? Or so your car is closer in the morning? If the latter, you're walking the same distance, just adding a little more driving to the equation.

 

Not in very cold weather. My ICE starts almost immediately on very cold days, certainly before I get out of the garage. But it would be fun to watch someone try to drive a couple of blocks by starting, moving, shutting down...

 

I'm just thinking for instances where you want to get from garage to driveway.

 

My bad, good catch. That being said, it is EXACTLY the same "event" that we had with the earlier cars that the TSB covered. A very specific, but repeatable, set of actions and temperature caused the knocking/rattling.

The old TSB is a start at least, at least the dealership can't tell him they've never heard of the problem.

 

Well, a remote starter solves everything! Warm car, plus you don't have to listen to the knocking. Just pretend it's not happening.

 

Descriptions of sound behavior over the internet are hard to evaluate.

I would say The Prius has a 4 cylinder engine, and IMO I don't find it to be under normal usage, including highway merges, any louder than I would expect it to be. I previously owned a Honda Fit...The Prius is actually much quieter in operation.

Judging from your profile you have a 2014 which would still be under the new car bumper to bumper warranty. If possible I would take it to a Toyota Dealer and have it checked. You could even ask to "test drive" a similar Prius on the lot, and compare.

But off hand, I'd say if you feel it is abnormally loud in comparison to any other 4 cylinder vehicle you might have a problem.

 

i think it's normal. my car goes 'vroom, vroom!' maybe test drive another for comparison?

 

As others have posted, drive another Prius and compare volumes. A sound pressure level meter would be even better, since it would remove your subjective interpretation as to what is "loud" versus "quiet".

That said, the Prius is designed to minimize fuel use, and one way is to reduce weight by minimizing sound deadening.

 

Yup it's all relative. What is your previous car? Compared to my Civic, the Prius is no louder. Compared to my friend's Accord, the Prius makes quite a racket.

 

Prius louder than an Avalon? Sure is.

Lighter advantageous for MPG? Sure is.

Different cars have different advantages.

 

How full is your Traction Battery? The more discharged the traction battery, the more the engine will be used, increasing the sound of the ICE (gas motor). Also, you could have a loose connection in your exhaust. This would also cause a loud engine sound. Were your windows up or open?

 

Doesn't really matter if it is a 4 cyl or bigger. It is normal size engine(1.8). But I know exactly what are you talking...Prius is a loud car especially when you are accelerating since the CVT stays always in the sweet spot of rpms...where on a honda fit it will try to climb the hill at 2500rpm but if you push it a little bit it will get louder than the Prius...

I drive press fleet cars. And we have the 2015 Fit which is quiter than the Prius in a sense... And yes it is a 4 cyl 1.5.

Not only the engine is loud....oh actually the engine is not loud....the car is not soundproofed well.. Road noise in that car is not ok for a Mid size car...

 

Why do you think you need to "understand" it ?
It is what it IS.
All cars engines are loud when pushed hard; some more than others.

And......did you forget that you posted this same question before a couple of weeks ago ??
There wasn't a really good, satisfying answer then and there still isn't.

 

Was that with YOU driving it ?? Like you said, that can make a big difference.

It is possible that something is loose, like and air filter housing.
Might be a good idea to mention it at your next service.

 

Is your cousin's car the same trim level? Same seats, cloth or Softex? I've read here that the Softex seats seem to reduce road noise. If so and you have them/she doesn't, you might have less road noise which might make the engine sound louder depending on the road surface.