1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Loud Screeching Sound

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by kmkremer, Jun 24, 2010.

  1. kmkremer

    kmkremer Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2009
    227
    30
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I realize this has already been discussed many times. Some part of the hybrid system makes a moderate to loud screeching noise when the car starts moving initially. It's gotten to the point where people are staring at me when I pull away in parking lots because it's so loud.

    A few questions:

    - Do the gen II cars also make this noise?
    - Why don't the Lexus hybrids make this noise?
    - Is there anything that can be done to lessen the noise?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 kmkremer, Jun 24, 2010
  2. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    5,339
    917
    251
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    1. Yes, but not as loud due to a different design.
    2. Good question
    3. Probably not.

    You're hearing the components "sing" as they switch on and off rapidly converting DC to 3 phase AC power.
     
    #2 HTMLSpinnr, Jun 26, 2010
  3. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2004
    2,077
    296
    0
    Location:
    York,Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    This is a joke, right?
     
    #3 paprius4030, Jun 26, 2010
  4. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    1,483
    137
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Try not to push the accelerator all the way!
     
    #4 bedrock8x, Jun 26, 2010
  5. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    What loud screeching noise?
     
    #5 tumbleweed, Jun 26, 2010
  6. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
    3,790
    152
    0
    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    sounds like it could be a few things... 1. brakes... but you would hear this while slowing under 8mph (every time)

    2. wheel bearing...

    everything else should be pretty quiet.
     
    #6 V8Cobrakid, Jun 26, 2010
  7. gcarey3

    gcarey3 Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2010
    6
    6
    0
    Location:
    Lansdale, PA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I sort of figured that, as I have heard that sound as well. It sounds more electrical than mechanical.

    I only notice it when I first turn the car on before backing out of the garage (the walls make it much more noticeable).

    I wouldn't call it loud though. But it is a distracting sound, not one that you would expect from a conventional car.
     
    #7 gcarey3, Jun 26, 2010
  8. anniea

    anniea New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    59
    13
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I've had mine over a year now, and as many unusual noises as it makes, I've never heard anything I would describe as a "moderate to loud screeching noise," either when the car starts moving or any other time. (I, too, start it in a garage.) In fact, the only thing that's even remotely like screeching (but I wouldn't describe it that way) occurs sometimes when I shut the car off and the air conditioning has been running. But that sound is soft.
     
    #8 anniea, Jun 27, 2010
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I would never classify the singing sound as screeching. I know people describe things differently, but to me screeching implies a mechanical issue, such as brakes or bearings, in which case this is not a normal sound.

    Tom
     
    #9 qbee42, Jun 27, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)