2007 Prius noise from tire on driver side of car

In the past, I've heard this type of noise from tires where one of the belts has broken. It happened to two sets different tires on my old Escape.

 

Had same problem with new Pirelli p4 tires. Had a belt separation. Pirelli would not fix had to buy new tire.

 

My guess is that the tire has a nail or screw in the tread. Have you inspected the entire circumference of the tire by rolling the car a couple of feet at a time, to expose the entire tread?

Knowing that a tire has a problem, I would not say that it is "safe" to drive the car. However if you are driving on surface streets at a speed not exceeding 35-40 mph then that is a risk that I personally would accept. You'll have to decide what you are comfortable with.

 

Check the brake area also. I had a piece of cardboard I picked up while driving wedged in there. Kind of like the card in the bike spoke noise.

 

I assume your running the stock Integrities. The worlds worst tire.
These are very hard sidewall tires.


All the tires on my 07 sound like that to a degree. I'm only running 35 psi as they are so loud above that I cannot stand it.
The plop plop tends to get a little better if you pump it to max 40-42 psi but then they howl.

I've had them all balanced and they still all make a very mild wup wup wup from around 5 to 40 mph's. At speed the noise goes away
or is buried in car/wind noise. You have good hearing and this is not a quiet car.

I would buy new ones but still have alot of tread left all around at 29,000 miles.

Turn up the stereo or replace if you can afford it.