When I drive with windows down I can hear a whirring from the motor. Its like if it is low on power steering fluid. Its not constant with RPM. I am pretty sure the steering is electric but WTH can it be? I am dreading winter cause I will have windows down all the time then and I will have to crank the stereo to block it out. Do you guys hear the same?

 

You are not just hearing the electric fans are you? They can be pretty loud and don't change with engine speed.

Dave Mac

 

Why not take it to your dealer? If there is an issue, it will be corrected under warranty.

 

Car is due for another visit in another 1000 miles. Was wondering if anybody has heard the same thing. It's not the fans I know that much.

 

I have it. Not sure what it is. I'll have mine checked at next service. Another thread someone posted a dealer said normal.

 

From the manual: Section 1-2 Page 71

Vehicle proximity notification system
When driving with the gasoline engine stopped, a sound, which changes
in accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order to warn people
nearby of the vehicle’s approach. The sound will stop when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).

 

That only pertains to the ES300h, he has the ES350.

 

It could be the seat vent motors if you have them on. Surprisingly, they'll loud, but not effective. Also, on my hybrid (I know this is not the OP's) it could also be the car cooling the hybrid batteries, whether the car's running or not. I've heard both whirling sound at times.

 

Have you tried turning off the a/c to see if the noise is still there? I have started noticing a bit of a/c whine accelerating slowly especially when it's hot.

 

Sounds like EXACTLY the same whirring/whining sound I've been hearing. Does it on the first three gears while accelerating and then also when decelerating/downshifting.
It's not the A/C, it's not specific to ECO/NORM/SPORT, and I hope to God it's not the transmission.

Dealer has checked it out twice, and they say there's nothing wrong and that all ES350's do it.
And, of course, it doesn't occur on the Avalon.....

But, interestingly, other brand-new models I've test driven don't do it, and it would seem a LOT more people would be commenting (screaming!) about it if ALL models did it.

I'll be due for my 10k service in a couple months, and I'm going to go back to my original dealer (where I bought it), as opposed to the local dealer here in Indianapolis (only 2 Lexus dealerships in Indiana), and hopefully they will be able to help with it.

Let me/us know if you have any luck with your dealer/tech resolving the issue!
I'll certainly do the same!

Good luck!

 

I've had the same issue, I just hit 4000 miles and it worries me. Also, I've noticed a grind in the brakes. I'm hoping it's not an issue due to my heavy foot in a new car.

 

My last car did it and the ES so it might be normal. Maybe it's the alternator charging and/or alternator belt spinning?

 

Oddly enough after my 10K service I did not hear it at the dealer when I picked it up. About a 1000 miles later I started to notice it. Soon it will go in for the 15K service. I'll mention it again.