I have a 2008 with about 248,000 miles on it. It’s recently started making some sounds that could be concerning. The easiest to explain: the engine seems to run harder/louder right around 75 mph. Almost as if it’s hitting a resonant frequency. The next easiest to explain: there is a light sort of metal tinkling/ ringy light rattle noise that seems to be coming from the front drivers side and happens intermittently probably when slowing down/speeding up. The hardest to explain: a medium-high pitched skipping hum that slightly increases with speed. I’ve attached a video link to an audio recording I took of the latter two sounds (as best I could) https://youtube.com/shorts/iCV8oHuyCgc?si=AER-nGrTVu88bTuD What could it be/should I check? I appreciate any ideas and suggestions!
Before we listen to strange noises from a 16 year old car with a 1/4 million miles on it, do you have any other symptoms like low mpg or dash lights or something of significance that would be a cause for concern?
Very fair question. No, I recently replaced the hybrid battery and am getting about 42 mpg. No other dash lights on, seems to drive and run well.
Only makes odd sounds when moving, and only from the front, right? Check the wheel bearings and anything that might be rubbing when the wheels rotate (all brake parts including the dust shield, loose plastic piece touching a wheel or tire, cv axles). Also make sure that there is nothing dragging under the car and that all the body panels and plastic panels are securely fastened. That probably isn't it, but parts bouncing off the road or flapping in the wind can make really odd sounds.
I'll go with the wheel bearing too your gas mileage isn't where it really should be with a new battery and a good running engine and all this and that but driving style and gas pedal pressing makes a big difference also when the battery goes green in the energy monitor section of the screen and you take your foot off the gas do you notice that the engine sounds like you shifted from 4th to second gear in a a regular car? Compared to what your other battery was doing is actually quite unnerving somewhat because you're looking what you shifted and you've done nothing of the sort there's no shifter. I noticed in my car with the failing battery that noises are quite different than with not
I originally thought wheel bearing and I had a general inspection done at Firestone with my alignment. They said the wheel bearings were fine but who knows… I also should have specified: I replaced the battery with a refurb, which I believe should explain the gas mileage but there could be other factors.
