warmdye

I recently bought a 2015 GS350 with 9,000 miles and would like to get an opinion on whether or not my engine noise level is normal. I've always heard these cars were "bank vault quiet". Coming from a Subaru STI, I'm out of my element. The engine makes a slight knocking sound at or around idle and is louder when the transmission is in Park or Reverse. The noise seems to be localized in the rear driver's side of the engine bay. The noise is louder after the car is warmed up and it can be heard in the cabin slightly. Am I worrying about nothing or should I have this looked at by the dealer? (I'm aware the ticking sound from the direct injection is normal)

At idle in Reverse:

At idle in Park (when the noise is not really noticeable)

faifai83

Is the engine warmed up?

warmdye

Ya, the engine is fully warmed up in those videos.

CBRA928

iTrader: (3)

Hey there! i came from a STI as well, but the sound is normal, my 3GS also sounded like that. windows closed or open driving down the road i dont really notice it all that much. its a little louder in the mornings but goes away as engine warms up.

bclexus

Perfectly normal. The ticking noise you are hearing is the high-pressure direct fuel injection system when the injectors open and close. The noise is only really noticeable at low RPM and/or with a window open. You'll get used to it. Lexus is not the only vehicles that use the direct injectors.

SW17LS

Yep, I agree sounds normal.

Sevn86

Mine sounds the same and everyone including dealer said it was normal. My RX makes a similar sound too.

faifai83

Is the car using regular or premium gas?

warmdye

I have only put premium fuel in the car since I've had it. Thanks for all the replies!

DallasDave

iTrader: (1)

Yep, mine does it too. It's most noticeable from outside of the car, but there's also some noise that gets into the cabin as well (seems more obvious from the front passenger seat, too). It's probably the most disappointing aspect of the car, IMO. The rest of the car has a very premium feel to it, the noise takes away from the overall "quality feeling".

I know, I know some other cars have the same type of noise and it's normal, etc. My 2005 Acura RL had a 3.5 V6 engine that was silky smooth and almost silent - and produced ~300hp. That was TEN years ago! My observed MGP wasn't quite as good, but pretty close.

mrpink13

totally normal. some are a smidge louder than others. i dont hear it in the cabin at all. maybe the thick lux windows help i dont know. however what is disappointing is some engine vibration i feel in the car sometimes. which i think is ridiculous, anyone else notice this? other lexus' i dont feel any vibration at all.

bclexus

Not here - engine is smooth as a sleeping butterfly.

SW17LS

I remember feeling a little bit of driveline vibration when in drive at a stoplight.

mrpink13

thats what im talking about. even feeling vibration is a bit much for me in a lexus. they usually do a super good job of dampening all that stuff.

SW17LS

You have to understand that in the GS they actually try and dial back some of the isolation when it comes to the engine, they want it to feel like a machine, that's why they added the intake sound generator, etc.

If if you want more isolation you should look to an ES or LS.