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2007 Prius: Creaking/Clicking in cold weather

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by tripletdad, Dec 4, 2006.

  1. tripletdad

    tripletdad New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
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    Hi all,

    I have a new 2007 Prius and am still on my first tank of gas (around 150 miles). It had been pretty warm up until yesterday, and everything was great.

    Yesterday, the temperature dropped below freezing, and now I hear a "clicking" or "creaking" noise coming from somewhere in the middle-to-rear of the car. It is fairly constant -- almost like popcorn popping, but not that dramatic. Just irritating.

    I've checked to make sure all the doors are shut properly and that the seats are properly seated. The car is empty except for me (no cargo that might be causing the noise).

    Do Priuses simply creak in the winter? Will this "break in" and stop? Should I bring it back to the dealer?
     
    #1 tripletdad, Dec 4, 2006
  2. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
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    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    All the plastic stuff inside does creak a bit worse in cold weather, not just the Prius but other cars as well. I have never heard the exact noise you describe. Sometimes the noises stop with time, sometimes you just get used to them. If you have the time to take it in you could let the dealer try to find it, but don't expect to much from them. I think they hate to look for squeaks and rattles.

    Did you take all the stuff out of the back? spare tire, tire changing tools, etc. and see if they were secured correctly? Look under the seats and make sure they didn't leave a piece of plastic or paper under there. If you can produce the noise by wiggling the car in your driveway it's easier to find, if not you may need someone to drive it while you crawl around and look for it. Good luck.
     
    #2 tumbleweed, Dec 5, 2006
  3. MegansPrius

    MegansPrius GoogleMeister, AKA bongokitty

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2006
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    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    We've been driving our new Prius that we picked up here in November in our recent cold spell without any constant strange noises. There are the occasional little "whirs" now and then. But we've heard nothing like popcorn popping.

    There is a vent in the back seat along the passenger side, near the door, that it is important not to block.
     
    #3 MegansPrius, Dec 5, 2006
  4. kriggleman

    kriggleman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2006
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    Location:
    Indianapolis, IN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Difficult to know if what you are experiencing is same as my 2006, but there is a plastic tray in the glove box that forms a shelf and when it gets loose, it makes a very annoying constant rattle and was difficult for me to tell where the rattle was coming from. It first came loose for me on a colder day as well. As has been mentioned in previous posts, be sure to eliminate that potential source first by either taking shelf out or making sure it is firmly in place.
     
    #4 kriggleman, Dec 5, 2006
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