High pitched sound?

Hi
I did some searching and did not find this particular noise. Both in a rented 2009 Prius, and the used 2001 I recently bought, I hear this high pitched sound. I would almost call it a "singing" sound. I doesn't sound like a problem - it actually is a pleasant sound, but I'm wondering what it is. I notice it at about 40 mph. If I had to guess, I'd say its from the transmission...

People with younger ears than mine claim they can hear the electric motor/generators whine.

It's probably just Rush Limbaugh. Make sure your radio is all the way off.

The Inverter (power electronics that produce the high voltage AC drive for the Motor-Generators from/to the 200v battery) works at a high audio rate. You can hear the first few harmonics of the current being switched in polarity at this rate. It also can be heard when listening to a weak AM radio station as noise when either braking (regeneration current) or accelerating (Drive current to the motors).

JeffD

You must be young and have good ears. It's the inverter.

Tom

I'm not young
and I still can hear it

(well, my former life was in the music world )

I love it!! Good one! :rockon:

It must not have been Rock or Heavy Metal.

Tom

i can hear a prius from a block away.. it's the inverter.. that distinct high pitch wine is very audible at certain speeds. it's louder on the lexus models...

Thanks everyone, and I'm not that young! 44
My wife doesn't seem to hear it.

Better yet, find a nice classical station and enjoy the music