Why is Lexus so loud inside the cabin?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,252
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From: Sacramento, CA
My mom's 2013 makes a lot of engine noise at all rpm's. It's not a quiet ride, but the noise from hers comes from the motor and not tires. She has the stock Michelins by the way. It's been known the latest RX is not quiet. I can't speak for your older model though, but perhaps the RX line has not been in tune with Lexus's quiet mantra for some time. Just guesses. I am convinced the redesigned model will be much quieter. In the meantime, you have a very nice SUV that delievers on many accounts. Try to get used to the noise and focus on the positives. It's a great vehicle.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: California
Correct. You are referring to the ticking sound from the direct injection system. That is a noise mostly heard on the outside of the vehicle (faintly inside), and extremely common on most new DI cars today (new Honda Accord sounds the worst). The racket I'm referring to, and what most people (including the OP) complain about with the RX, is traditional engine roar while revving or cruising.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
Correct. You are referring to the ticking sound from the direct injection system. That is a noise mostly heard on the outside of the vehicle (faintly inside), and extremely common on most new DI cars today (new Honda Accord sounds the worst). The racket I'm referring to, and what most people (including the OP) complain about with the RX, is traditional engine roar while revving or cruising.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Almost any normal (non-hybrid/electric) gas-powered vehicle is noisy compared to an LS.....although recent competitors to the LS (S550, Kia K900, Hyundai Equus) have virtually closed the gap.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Sacramento, CA
Wind noise I can live with. That's really true of all SUV. Even the Mazda CX-9 which we looked at and liked aesthetically was fairly loud with it's very slanted pillars that are the steepest I've seen. It's the "roar" of the road noise coming through the floor and wheel wells that is MOST annoying.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: California
Yes, the RX has direct injection. The noise at issue in this thread isn't from that though. It's just a general engine ruckus and exhaust note that comes through. All complaints about DI noise (in any car) comes from idle while in the car or standing outside of it at idle. It does not contribute to added noise while on the road or accelerating.
Yes, the RX has direct injection. The noise at issue in this thread isn't from that though. It's just a general engine ruckus and exhaust note that comes through. All complaints about DI noise (in any car) comes from idle while in the car or standing outside of it at idle. It does not contribute to added noise while on the road or accelerating.
I thought the IS 350 and GS 3.5L's have DI and the extra torque and HP over the RX and ES 3.5L..
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes, the RX has direct injection. The noise at issue in this thread isn't from that though. It's just a general engine ruckus and exhaust note that comes through. All complaints about DI noise (in any car) comes from idle while in the car or standing outside of it at idle. It does not contribute to added noise while on the road or accelerating.
BTW......slightly off-topic, but I just wonder when we'll see the first person complain about too much noise in a Tesla Model S.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: California
You are correct, the current RX does not have DI. Some websites mistakenly state it does. What is strange though, is my mom's RX makes the same ticking/diesel sound at idle, as my DI IS250 does. Oh well!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
If the tire roar is what's bothering you, it's the tires. Lexus vehicles are very sensitive to tires, they're nice and quiet on good tires...loud on crappy tires.
What tires are you running?
What tires are you running?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Not just Lexus. Every modern unibody car with radial tires that I've owned seemed to be tire-sensitive. Usually, the newer the tires, the less wear, and the less-porous the paved surface on the road, the quieter the ride. The MOST tire-sensive car I've owned?....probably my 1995 Celica. Tire quality also makes a difference. My Celica came with factory tires that were pure garbage, howled like a tomcat after only about a year, and I tossed them at only 14K and got a nice quiet-riding set of Goodyear Regattas..a tire that, unfortunately, s not made anymore.
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 13, 2015 at 08:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Sacramento, CA
Anyway found a nice thread on carpet removal of the RX...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...or-carpet.html
Pretty intense. I'd have to get up early am to get a jump start. I figure add another two hours on top of the already four that it takes just because I'm new to it. 6.....hrs. Yikes.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 4
From: Sacramento, CA
Not just Lexus. Every modern unibody car with radial tires that I've owned seemed to be tire-sensitive. Usually, the newer the tires, the less wear, and the less-porous the paved surface on the road, the quieter the ride. The MOST tire-sensive car I've owned?....probably my 1995 Celica. Tire quality also makes a difference. My Celica came with factory tires that were pure garbage, howled like a tomcat after only about a year, and I tossed them at only 14K and got a nice quiet-riding set of Goodyear Regattas..a tire that, unfortunately, s not made anymore.