New Prius Whistling sound

[Jinseng]

I just took delivery of a Prius V with ATP and found that at highway speeds (about 55+ MPH) I'm getting a whistling sound that I think is coming from around the Driver's side "A" pillar.

I found a few people talking about a whistling sound coming from the side view mirror screw hole covers on the gen II, but there aren't any screw holes under the mirrors on the gen III.

I think I really like the car, but this whistle is going to drive me bonkers.

Anyone else experience this or have any thoughts? (I do plan on mentioning it to the dealer tomorrow)

Thanks,
Alex.

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by Jinseng

I just took delivery of a Prius V with ATP and found that at highway speeds (about 55+ MPH) I'm getting a whistling sound that I think is coming from around the Driver's side "A" pillar.
Thanks,
Alex.

Go 54 mph.
Just kidding... I know my Camry did that. It was the because the windshield was not properly installed. After years of listening to it, my windshield was finally cracked and replaced and it went away. You might check all the trim around the windows to make sure everyting is seated properly.

Peter

[Jinseng]

Originally Posted by spiderman

Go 54 mph.
Just kidding... I know my Camry did that. It was the because the windshield was not properly installed. After years of listening to it, my windshield was finally cracked and replaced and it went away. You might check all the trim around the windows to make sure everyting is seated properly.

Peter

haha, I wish it were that simple, I tried everything up to... oh wait, I shouldn't say because I don't want evidence

Unfortunately I checked and the driver's side pretty much matches the passenger's side. I can see a couple very slight differences, but nothing that I would think would cause a whistling.

I'll see what it's like again tomorrow on the drive to work. Hopefully the traffic is clear enough that I can get up to highway speeds.

-Alex.

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by Jinseng

haha, I wish it were that simple, I tried everything up to... oh wait, I shouldn't say because I don't want evidence

Unfortunately I checked and the driver's side pretty much matches the passenger's side. I can see a couple very slight differences, but nothing that I would think would cause a whistling.

I'll see what it's like again tomorrow on the drive to work. Hopefully the traffic is clear enough that I can get up to highway speeds.

-Alex.

It only takes a piece of trim standing a little bit proud of the surface to get a whistle going. Check all around the front of the car too (i.e. grill area), not just the windows.

[Jinseng]

Originally Posted by spiderman

It only takes a piece of trim standing a little bit proud of the surface to get a whistle going. Check all around the front of the car too (i.e. grill area), not just the windows.

There are two things that are a little higher on the driver's side window/door than the passenger's side. One is that the weatherstripping around the door is a little higher between the door and the small triangular window. The other is the window seal is a tiny bit higher near the front "corner" of the window where it makes a turn downward.

I tried pushing on the window seal some, but it doesn't budge, and the door seal is just the foam rubber and moves with the door so there's nothing I can do about that either. So I plan on pointing out both of these spots to the dealer in the next day or two when I go back to get my inspection done and pick up my registration.

Part of the reason I keep focusing on the door/window area is because this morning on the way into work, I was able open and close the window just a tiny bit and get the whistle to change or almost go away. Of course if I opened the window enough to try to put my hand outside to push on these surfaces the real wind noise overpowers the whistle sound.

I'm also going to have my friend drive with me to ensure that it's not happening on the Passenger's side as well. (Maybe I just don't hear it from the driver's side).

I just really hope this can get figured out soon because it really sucks to trade in a non-whistling 10 year old Corolla for a brand new Prius V with ATP that whistles.

-Alex

[jim256]

Originally Posted by Jinseng

I just really hope this can get figured out soon because it really sucks to trade in a non-whistling 10 year old Corolla for a brand new Prius V with ATP that whistles.

-Alex

You might try applying a little wide painters tape, one area at a time, on suspicious places outside, then take a drive at speed with each attempt. Process of elimination, you may find the area, then the spot. It worked for me on a car I had several years ago. The dealer service manager had the idea from his work history as a body man, road around with me until we found it.

[Jon S]

have someone put blue painters tape around the windshield... then drive around and see if the whistle is gone... if not, it is somewhere else. then get in car and have someone outside seal the door seams with the tape. then drive around and see if the whistle is gone. if gone, remove sections of the tape to pinpoint the area. it's a slow process of elimination.... you might have to remove your windshield wipers as well or reposition slightly as a last resort.

[a64pilot]

I'm betting windshield, I too have had that before in a VW Golf Diesel

[Bobsprius]

Jinseng,

You said something key in your last post. You said you opened and closed the window and adjusted it somewhat and the whistling subsided and actually went away. I am wondering if your window is not sealing tightly in the window track area and it's hung up the most minute bit causing the whistling sound???? It may be something as simple as that, and I would check and see if opening just a little stops it each and every time. If so, it may need just an alignment???

[a64pilot]

I think, if I remember correctly that turning the AC to outside air and adjusting the blower to high will also effect the whistle if it is from an air leak leading to the inside of the cabin, but won't if it is from a purely outside source.