Recently my GS has been making a whirring / whining sound when moving at cold temperature. The colder it is the louder it gets, and the longer it takes to eventually go away. The sound is linked directly to vehicle speed. Acceleration, deceleration, cornering, or even putting it in neutral doesn’t effect the sound at all.

Here’s a quick video showing what I’m talking about. You really start to hear it around 20MPH.

Anyone have an idea what it is. I’ve read other people have had issues with their AWD unit making noise, and I’m hoping it’s not that.

 

Differential fluid warming up?

 

I'd be making a whirring noise too at 1°F... It could be the AWD making that noise, but at 1°F every part that moves on your car is sluggish and the oils and fluids are having a difficult time protecting against metal-on-metal wear.

Does the whirring noise ever go away? If so, how long does it take?

At 1°F I doubt your engine or transmission/AWD oils ever reach normal operating temperature...

No offense, but your car is not the car I want to buy used...

 

I should have specified, every AWD I’ve driven in the extreme cold has made this noise warming up, including a 2014 GS350 and my GS300 today with it 3 being degrees out.

 

What's that slight buzzing noise? Is it coming from the center arm rest area? I'm asking cuz I just recently started to notice that noise too in my car...

 

I have small noise also like it's gasping for air but then goes away...