The annoying droning engine sound
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: PA
My RX recently turned 18K and the whining/humming is still with us. Of course it is NORMAL according to the Dealer.
To me it's the noisest Luxury vehicle around.
Of course, after 10-15 minutes of driving the sound disipates . ( If your drive takes takes that long)
To me it's the noisest Luxury vehicle around.
Of course, after 10-15 minutes of driving the sound disipates . ( If your drive takes takes that long)
Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 280
Likes: 2
From: CO
I'm at 24k miles and it does the same thing. Specifically when I am coasting and let off the gas slightly. It definitely sounds like the valve in the exhaust. When I hear it and give it just a little more gas, the sound goes away. It is annoying but I am dealing with bigger issues with my car that make this issue a small one
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 908
Likes: 59
From: Lincon, CA
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 8
From: USA
I had a loaner 2014 RX 350 for the past 24 hours and i was shocked at the engine noise. far louder than my IS250. I understand it's a larger engine with more power, but wow, the rumbling was quite noticeable. I was really surprised.
I came here to search for this "issue" to see if it was only that truck, but no, appears to be by design.
I came here to search for this "issue" to see if it was only that truck, but no, appears to be by design.
I had a loaner 2014 RX 350 for the past 24 hours and i was shocked at the engine noise. far louder than my IS250. I understand it's a larger engine with more power, but wow, the rumbling was quite noticeable. I was really surprised.
I came here to search for this "issue" to see if it was only that truck, but no, appears to be by design.
I came here to search for this "issue" to see if it was only that truck, but no, appears to be by design.
A 2014 Honda Civic I drove was even smoother/quieter than the RX.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Droning Noise
I had the same noise on my 2008 RX350 that required new wheel bearings. That fixed the problem.
Rita.
My 2013 RX350 (all-wheel) has a super annoying droning sound when pressing gas pedal - it is not the smooth-humming but a kind of low cat-purring sound that is more pronounced when in low RPMs. The dealership can't tell the problem, Lexus Field Specialist acknowledged the sound and said I am not the first one to complain about it, but he doesn't think anything wrong with it. According to him, this is not the sound of the engine, but the exhaustion system. My overall experience with RX350 is not as good as I had expected: it is nosier than my previous highlander, it is also nosier than my wife's Odyssey.
I wonder if any other users had any similar experience? is there any fix to it?
Thanks
Oliver[/QUOTE]
Rita.
My 2013 RX350 (all-wheel) has a super annoying droning sound when pressing gas pedal - it is not the smooth-humming but a kind of low cat-purring sound that is more pronounced when in low RPMs. The dealership can't tell the problem, Lexus Field Specialist acknowledged the sound and said I am not the first one to complain about it, but he doesn't think anything wrong with it. According to him, this is not the sound of the engine, but the exhaustion system. My overall experience with RX350 is not as good as I had expected: it is nosier than my previous highlander, it is also nosier than my wife's Odyssey.
I wonder if any other users had any similar experience? is there any fix to it?
Thanks
Oliver[/QUOTE]
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: PA
Annoying Groaning Engine Sound
Sorry, I have a problem associating wheel bearings and tires with Engine RPM's.
The pitch of that sound is directly proportionate to the foot and the gas pedal.
Exhaust intrusion could be a participant since the force of emissions depends on
those motor variations.
The RX is still a nice vehicle, if only I could avoid those first 10-15 minutes of the drive.
The pitch of that sound is directly proportionate to the foot and the gas pedal.
Exhaust intrusion could be a participant since the force of emissions depends on
those motor variations.
The RX is still a nice vehicle, if only I could avoid those first 10-15 minutes of the drive.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: MI
We purchased recently a 2010 RX 350 AWD and my wife complained about that noise. I test drove the vehicle and i can hear that noise. However what i noticed that noise is on when the "ECO" mode light in the cluster is on and when that light disappears (when you let off the gas or floor it) the noise is not heard. I am thinking that this is maybe part of the way the 3rd generation exhaust is design and set up to gain better mileage maybe??? i don't know.
As the original poster of this thread, I have been in contact with a Lexus Field Engineer on and off for a while. Occasionally, I will send some of the suggestions from this thread to him and ask if it could be the issue. For example, "the bad wheel bearing" - he replied that it can't be in my case. If it were, then turning around wheels will make a difference in terms of the noise ...
During the test drive with the engineer, he would acknowledge the sound, but it was not deemed as a defect ... he called it a somewhat different "engine note". His diagnosis is it has something to do with the muffling. He performed some experimental adjustment, but it doesn't make a difference in the end.
I can only conclude that I am one of a kind that is too sensitive to this low-frequency noise. I tried to not let this droning sound upset me too much to forget about all the other good traits of the car, but it is not that easy once it got into your ear.
Even though Lexus extended my warranty as a good will gesture, after 6 months of driving, I am still very very disappointed at Lexus, and their inability to fix this seemingly nuance problem.
For those who found and fixed the problem, good for you.
Oliver
During the test drive with the engineer, he would acknowledge the sound, but it was not deemed as a defect ... he called it a somewhat different "engine note". His diagnosis is it has something to do with the muffling. He performed some experimental adjustment, but it doesn't make a difference in the end.
I can only conclude that I am one of a kind that is too sensitive to this low-frequency noise. I tried to not let this droning sound upset me too much to forget about all the other good traits of the car, but it is not that easy once it got into your ear.
Even though Lexus extended my warranty as a good will gesture, after 6 months of driving, I am still very very disappointed at Lexus, and their inability to fix this seemingly nuance problem.
For those who found and fixed the problem, good for you.
Oliver
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 15
From: Texas
My RX450h has engine noise entering the cabin too. I find it unacceptable that this is "Lexus" definition of quiet. I went back to the dealership for an extra key so they provided me with a 2014 RX350 loaner. Holy jeebus that thing was even louder than the hybrid! I wonder if it was the same car you drove. lol.
A 2014 Honda Civic I drove was even smoother/quieter than the RX.
A 2014 Honda Civic I drove was even smoother/quieter than the RX.
For those talking about wheel bearings, they don't always present themselves with a specific set of symptoms.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: FL
Has anyone tried adding sound insulation to the rear compartment around the spare tire etc? I had a Mazda once that made a lot of noise and I insulated the trunk area and it really quieted it down. I'm amazed that the under compartment on my 2015 RX is just plain metal, I think I might try to insulate it.
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,150
Likes: 1,711
From: VA
I did that and there is a thread on it with photos. Try searching sound deadening. I used paint on sound deadener inside the wheel wells (after removing the liners) and Raamat (like Dynamat) inside the rear hatch area up to rear seats and including the sides. It helped but was probably not worth the effort. it took a couple days. I think the wheel well stuff did help with tire noise.
Cost was minimal because I did it myself. I have some more Raamat and may try to place some under the carpet behind the brake and gas pedals and on the passenger side. I want to see if that may help with engine noise from the front.
Cost was minimal because I did it myself. I have some more Raamat and may try to place some under the carpet behind the brake and gas pedals and on the passenger side. I want to see if that may help with engine noise from the front.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 223
From: DE
i was saything the exact same thing when i drove her Fsport 2013 last Saturday- i don't know why it makes that funny sound, shes like yea its like ISF but this one does not moves, either way she loves this car so whatever i rarely drive it. BUT it is really annoying
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 223
From: DE
I have to disagree alittle - i test drove a lot of rx450h and that funny engine sound that comes on and off(while the hybrid system engaged/disengaged) is so annoying- with the Rx350 at least its constant so you get kind of used to it,
the quieter interior is spot on - since its so quiet you notice every little thing
the quieter interior is spot on - since its so quiet you notice every little thing
I had an RX450H for several days as a loaner, there was almost zero engine noise and zero drone. The primary noise that was present was road noise that echoed in the cabin. What I've discovered is that Lexus does a pretty poor job with lower frequency noises, such as engine noise and road noise. Combine this with a relatively quiet interior and it'll drive you nuts because it's all you hear. It may not be loud, but it certainly makes itself present.
For those talking about wheel bearings, they don't always present themselves with a specific set of symptoms.
For those talking about wheel bearings, they don't always present themselves with a specific set of symptoms.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 895
Likes: 56
From: IL
I'm at 24k miles and it does the same thing. Specifically when I am coasting and let off the gas slightly. It definitely sounds like the valve in the exhaust. When I hear it and give it just a little more gas, the sound goes away. It is annoying but I am dealing with bigger issues with my car that make this issue a small one