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Whirring Noise when put in Reverse Gear

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Robert van Nostrand, Jun 8, 2024.

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  1. Robert van Nostrand

    Robert van Nostrand New Member

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    It is normal for a new to me, 2022 Prius Prime to make a metal on metal whirring sound when put into reverse?
    I mainly notice it when inside a parking garage. No noise when the car is turned on. Slight whirring noise when put into Drive, much louder noise when put into Reverse gear (not moving).
    The whirring noise resembles what I would describe as a metal wheel spinning against another metal wheel.
     
  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    The pedestrian alert/warning system?
    The sound device is in front so it increases sound level when in reverse so people behind the car can hear it better.
     
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  3. Robert van Nostrand

    Robert van Nostrand New Member

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    Thanks for your response. Hmm, I don’t know what the alert you describe sounds like. I picture a loud Beeping sound like on delivery trucks when they backup, but this is nothing like that. It’s more like a gear turning.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    for some reason, toyota's are inordinately loud. is the volume adjustable?
     
  5. Robert van Nostrand

    Robert van Nostrand New Member

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    I have a YouTube recording but can’t post it because I am too new here…
    BUT if you listen to this guys YouTube and IGNORE the beeping sound, you can hear the whirring noise in the background that gets louder in Reverse. So I guess this is normal?
     

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    #5 Robert van Nostrand, Jun 8, 2024
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  6. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    It’s more like the sound a bunch of Cicadas would make.
     
  7. Robert van Nostrand

    Robert van Nostrand New Member

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    OK, thanks. I found another "noise" YouTube video and confirmed that the sound I am hearing is the Pedestrian Alert noise. Its not anything like a beep beep, but as you say, more like a continuous sound of Cicadas singing together.
     
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  8. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    The beeping sound is only on the inside, to make you aware you are in Reverse. The outside sound has been likened to the drone of a space ship. It was not as loud in early Gen 4s, but made louder in later models, due to changes in the federal regulations.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    when we are on our daily walk, a lot of cars pass us slowly enough the the pedestrian warning is on.
    toyota seems to have the loudest, or perhaps it's the pitch, idk.
    our new hycam is much more obnoxious than our new bolt.
     
  10. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Senior Member

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    The 2020 I have seems pretty quiet electrically. I almost always have a window open. I don’t hear the space ship sound at all.
     
  11. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    You’ll only hear it below about 20 miles an hour or so. Also fairly sure you will not hear it if you are in HV mode as in engine is running.
     
  12. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Senior Member

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    I go slower than 20 a lot, and 99% is in ev mode, not auto ev or hv mode. I back up often and a long way. Go slowly up parking garage grades and a steep hill at 25 every day. No audio on. No space ship sound so far, maybe I got a lemon. I’ll focus on it more to make sure.
     
  13. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Senior Member

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    I listened more today and the signal is there when brake is released going forward and in reverse. Very quiet and steady sound, not that noticeable with window open, quiet area. Not a louder whoop whoop electrical type sound I hear other cars making, even going down the street. .
    I find it a non issue on my car since I had to try quite hard to notice it.
     
  14. bisco

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    you either need hearing aids, or got lucky with a defective unit.