As a 48-hour Prius owner, I'm learning about all the sounds this space-shuttle vehicle makes. I already know about the brake accumulator (thanks, DanMan, for a perfect description of its fish tank pump sound!) I was puzzled by a short drag-scrape sound that occasionally happened during acceleration from a full stop. It sounded like it was coming from the driver's rocker-panel area, probably below the door. I assumed it was a normal sound that I'd later learn about. Today I found out what it was. A 500ml water bottle is too tall for the door pocket, so it can't quite stand vertically; its top touches the panel above the pocket. The bottle would sometimes tilt forward during a stop, then tilt back on acceleration. The bottle cap was dragging along the door panel, making that scraping noise. Solution: I laid the bottle down in the pocket.
Yep, it's true. Many of the more interesting - and difficult to locate - noises have been non-car items banging or rattling around. The ones I can remember off the top of my head include: - glasses in the glasses holder - coins in the tray orin the bottom of the center console - pens and/or pensils in the under-radio storage
