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2012 Prius v Three, low droning noise

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ayang, Jan 30, 2017.

  1. Ayang

    Ayang New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2016
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    Location:
    Sacamento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    My Prius is at 164k miles and has started making this droning noise while going 50-65 mph. It sounds like its coming from the rear of my car. Could it be the wheel bearings, tire balance, or something else? Sound is most audible after the first 20 seconds of the following video.

     
    #1 Ayang, Jan 30, 2017
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
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    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Muffler or resonator in exhaust system?
     
    #2 rjparker, Jan 30, 2017
  3. Ayang

    Ayang New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2016
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    Location:
    Sacamento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    should i check for cracks/holes?
     
    #3 Ayang, Jan 30, 2017
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Yes, but it could be internal to the muffler or resonator. The problem is you can not really rev the engine at idle to check by sound. Maybe rotate the tires and see if the noise moves. I would probably also have somebody check the wheel bearings and brakes but my bet is the exhaust.
     
    #4 rjparker, Jan 30, 2017
  5. Ayang

    Ayang New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2016
    4
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    Location:
    Sacamento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I'll try rotating the tires, thanks for that idea. If it makes any difference, the noise gets louder if I have people sitting in the back seat
     
    #5 Ayang, Jan 30, 2017
  6. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    What are the tire pressures? More weight means tires get spread out more at low tire pressures which changes the noise from normal to loud.
     
    #6 mikefocke, Jan 31, 2017
  7. Ayang

    Ayang New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2016
    4
    1
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    Location:
    Sacamento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Turns out my rear tires were chopped, got my wheels balanced and the noise is gone. If the issue comes back I will probably have to replace my rear shocks
     
    #7 Ayang, Feb 17, 2017
    Chazz8 likes this.
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