I don't believe that my car makes a sewing machine sound (never noticed anything), but I will turn everything off the next time I am out on the freeway to try and duplicate the problem. I have a newly paved stretch of freeway locally that would be perfect for this test.

I have scheduled a visit with the dealer and will keep you all Hybrid-ers posted.

do you mean the higher pitched noise from the engine during cold starts right before the engine shuts off?

Nope.

Car is in for service. Took the technician out for a drive to confirm the noise - Yes, he heard it but did not know what it was, will investigate. They put me in the same 450h and VOILA the noise is NOT there.

On a level road, speed between 55-65 and the tach is a quarter above the middle needle of the green zone then you will hear the noise that is like the sewing machine noise.

Will let you all posted.

GoHuskers, any update?

Update:

Just got the car back. Tech said the noise comes from the center dash area. Removed all vents and speaker cover. Insulated cover and vents, reinstalled and test drove. no more noise come from that on test drive.. That was their quote.

I have not had the chance to test the noise extensively but a short drive back to work seemed to be fine. I will be on a long drive tomorrow on highway and will try to listen to the noise (with fingers crossed).


Note: The loaner 450h wears Dueler tires and it seems less road noise than mine with Dunlops. Is that right?

Hi,

I agree Brigestone's are less road noise (Dualer and DM-V1(studless)).
Just information - Dealer feedbacked me that the Bridgestone Dueler 18' made better MPG than Dunlop 19'. They've tested for me, using the same car(mine), the same initial SOC condition(60%), the same running condition (named 10-15 mode as governmental standard)

Dunlop: 16.8, 16.0, 16.0 (km/L) (to get MPG, devide by 0.452 please)
Dueler: 17.5, 17.5, 17.6 (km/L)

But I couldn't find any differences as for MPG when I tried in general use, anyway.

UPDATE:

Car is as good as it should be, no more sewing machine noise.

GoHuskers, glad the problem appears to be fixed. Keep us updated. Now enjoy your 450h

Now to me, it seems there is something on our car that sounds like a sewing machine and it's just shielded from our hearing. I wonder what that might be? And how on that wondrous Japanese assembly line they forgot the insulation on GoHusker's car??? A mystery to me!

I believed the insulation is there but there was a leak or something. I don't get to see what they actually did to fix it, just read the quote from the bill. I still have a long time to see if anything weird comes up before the original warranty expired.

Glad it worked out for you GoHuskers, sounds like you have a sharp SA. Thanks for all the infor for if it were to happen to me I will remember this thread and your sharing of information.

Bob

I get a funny noise when I step on the brake or take my foot off the brake - its kind of like a sewing machine whirrr noise

But I don't get that noise while driving

A friend of mine says she hears a loud whirring noise while test driving a new Toyota Highlander hybrid - sales person told her its the sound of the electrcal motor; but she doesn't hear it except occasionally on the Lexus. We thought it mighe be better insulation on the Lexus versa Toyota

Nope, that's the hybrid noise. My Prius does the same thing. You get used to it, it beats listening to the 350 idle....