Lexus ES 2013+ :: ES300h - High Pitched Whining Sound When Going At 40 - 50 Mph
May 30, 2015
So I'm driving home late at night, few cars on the highway, I turn off the radio and I hear a faint, very high pitched whine coming from the engine bay when going 40-50 mph. It sounds like an electric motor spinning at high speed and frankly it's a bit irritating. The sound is there whether the engine is running and charging the battery, the car is using the traction battery or it's coasting and regenerating power. The sound stops for a moment if I gently accelerate and then lift off, but it comes back on coasting.
It's different from the louder, low pitched subway-train sound that comes from regen braking at low speed. Could this be the dreaded CVT whine reviewers complain about? Or is it the normal sound of the MG1 unit? This car is really quiet so weird noises pop up more.
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I finally got a recording of this, after trying to describe it without much success. Dealer drove the car 2x and claimed they don't hear it.
Video here, turn up your sound... noise happens just as the gas is let off...
As you can hear (if you turn speakers up, recording isn't very sensitive), it's kind of a high pitched whistling sound or whining sound. Happens when coasting (foot off gas) at 60mph. In gear or neutral, same noise. Only around that speed, only when foot off the gas.
What do you think this is? Some have suggested wheel bearing but if you listen this is more of a steady high pitched noise, not a helicopter like sound.
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Yesterday after a 45 minute drive home (GA and above 90 degree heat), I noticed a moderately high pitched whining noise after shutdown. The noise continued for about 5 minutes. From my understanding, the inverter coolant pump redistributes the coolant after shutdown and I have heard a humming noise previously which I assumed to be this action.
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My 2003 T-Bird (52,000 miles, original owner and only driver) has a fan coming on occasionally (in front) while I am driving. No warning lights. It goes off when I shut off the engine but then I get a high pitched whining sound (in front) that shuts off after a few minutes. I took into the dealer and they checked out my radiator level (full) but found a pinhole leak in the radiator hose. "The engine is not overheating, not to worry, fan is electronic and is normal". I don't think its normal since this is the first time its doing this after 9 years. Could this be the same problem as Elaina is having: An evaporative emissions pump sticky valve or leak in this system?
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I have 2013 es300h with 8500 miles on her, it's almost a year old for about the last two months when I turn off the car it makes a sound like a groan or metal stretching ? I know it sounds funny but heard any strange noises after turning off there car?
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I am looking at both the ES350 and the ES300h. After driving both, I am not sure I can get used to the regenerative braking sound from the 300h when coming to a stop. How have other 300h owners reconciled the noise?
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I have been driving my new ES 300h for a few days and have noticed that often when I apply the brakes, there is a faint high pitched noise in the cabin. It's not a brake noise of any sort, its clearly some electronic component. I was just wondering if this is a normal part of the regenerative braking system or not, as it is definitely quite audible and takes away from the otherwise very quiet ride of the vehicle.
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I've got a steady and consistent high pitched whine coming from the rear of the car. It's only audible when the car is running idle and/or at a standstill, A/C and radio off. Also can't be heard while driving. I've ruled out any rear diff issues and thinking it might be the fuel filter. I recall noticing the sound soon after getting the car, however it's gotten more prevalent recently.
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I got in my car today and realized it was making a whining noise, kinda like the whine of a super charger, I don't hear it at idle but when I accelerate or rev it in neutral it gets louder and higher pitched. Friend had this problem in his Mercedes and he said it was a bad belt.
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I've noticed more and more that when I am braking that I heard a high pitched whining noise. Sort of this ultrasonic type sound. It will only go away if I depress the brake pedal very firmly after being completely stopped. However every so often the firm press will not stop the noise. I hear it more in the evening on the way home than in the morning to work, though I may not be paying attention as much in the A.M. due to morning brain fog.
I don't hear it any other time. I'm worried something is wrong with my inverter.
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Turned my car (07 SE v7 with 240k on the clock) on this AM and there was a high pitched whine coming right from the engine bay - matched to the revs of the car, regardless of gear.
This is a new noise to me and the car - but I'm assuming it's some kind of belt issue.
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"93 Subaru legacy 175,000 miles: Just picked it up yesterday after timing belt/water pump replacement. Now it makes a high pitched whining noise sounds like from engine, the mechanic called it a whistle, but it ain't no whistle and wasn't there before.
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After it has been sitting overnight, I hear a somewhat high pitched whine while driving the car. It seems to go away after the car warms up a bit (maybe I can't hear it). Here are a few other details
a. 2006 Sonata 3.3 V6, ~85K miles on the odo
b. Transmission fluid flushed at Valvoline ~2 weeks ago. I changed it at 39K miles when I bought it. Checked at 78k miles and the color was was good (light red).
c. The noise goes up and down with engine rpm. I have a sound (wav) recording of it, but cannot figure how to attach it.
d. I tried putting it in park and neutral and revving the cold engine, but cannot hear the whine-only happens in drive.
e. Engine oil changed every 3-5k (wife drives it, so I'm not always prompt).
It shifts smoothly (always has) and otherwise drives well.
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I just had 10,000 mile service performed on my 2014 ES300H. I mentioned to the service manager that my mileage has come down to 36-38 mpg from 39-41 earlier. He advised me not to rely on the car display reading but do it manually for more accuracy. He said that many owners have found that they get better mileage than shown by the display.
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I know this noise is the Thermos Pump and it operates when I turn the car on and off. Question - is it failing - also a really annoying noise, but I'll put up with it as long as nothing's breaking.
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My 2013 ES300h was diagnosed with a ABS Actuator failure. The car has just over 52,000 miles and was 3 years old in February this year. The dealer told the repair is around $5000 and my car is no longer under warranty. They are approaching Lexus to see if they will do a good will repair.
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Do they need a touch of grey?
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I own a 2013 ES 350 with 5000 miles.
On cold weather conditions, doing a cold start, I allow the engine to run and warm up for a minimum of 5 minutes before driving. In this time frame the engine goes thru the whining sound and then the engine noise is quiet (normal).
What do other owners allow for engine warm up time before driving.
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Starting about a week ago whenever my car goes above about 2 thousand rpms I start hearing a faint high pitched whining sound, increasing to a more audible level as the rpms increase.. I've ruled out breaks and tires, which weer my initial thoughts, and I think it's something with a belt or the engine now. I have manual shift 2002 Hyundai Elantra.. The car still performs fine, but I have noticed a slight decrease in acceleration speed..
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I have a 2009 Toyota Yaris with 35,000 miles, and fully up-to-date with all the 5,000-mile usual maintenance checks [no prior problems]. Driving on a hot day, I hit Bakersfield and the car started to make a high-pitched whining noise, which got louder with the accelerator and softer when I took my foot off the gas. I thought perhaps the car was overheating and let it rest for a while, and checked the coolant [which was at a normal level]. I finished the drive to LA and stopped by the Toyota dealer who said it must have just been the fan given the hot weather.
The noise went away overnight, but the next day I was driving around town when it was overcast and cool, and even driving locally, the car made the whining noise intermittently, especially loud at low speeds like coasting in a parking lot, and the noise has been getting louder and sounding more pathological--not like a normal engine or fan noise, but like a truly problematic high-pitched straining sound. Sometimes it comes on when I start the car, sometimes restarting the car makes the noise go away for an hour or two.
It sounds almost like an electric razor being whipped around like a numchuck - a hitch pitched whine that is rotating in the engine and speeds up with the accelerator and calms down but doesn't go away at a stoplight. Perhaps I finally ran over my neighbor's annoying kitty. But today's latest Toyota mechanic also couldn't figure it out because the noise didn't start when he turned on the car and didn't restart on his test drive, but only a few hours later after I'd driven the car around town.
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This morning I just began noticing a low pitched whining sound when I accelerate at low speeds (below 30 mph). The sound seems to disappear at higher speeds for some reason. It bothered me so much that I arranged to have all the timing belt service done....I have been putting this off....84K miles now on a V6 Passat. I'm thinking it is the water pump noise, but I am not an expert on cars like most of you are. What all SHOULD be done when you change the timing belt?
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