Anybody know what this droning noise is?

[crankycodger]

I have a drone type noise that is ever-present on my 2016 Limited. It's not real loud, but it's there. It varies with engine RPMs, so my best guess is either exhaust or intake, probably exhaust.

I don't think there's anything wrong with my truck, but I do wonder what it is. Does Toyota just tune this noise in the vehicle because they think it sounds cool?

Anybody else noticed this and have any idea what's up?

I did do a search for droning here and came up pretty much dry.

 

[BaddaBing]

I have a 15 LE with 30k and I have not heard the droning noise you mention.

 

[LandCruiser]

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

In short, you're proper ****ed.

 

[crankycodger]

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

In short, you're proper ****ed.

Thanks, that was both clever and helpful.

 

[wfo9]

There should not be any drone. Something is off.

Could be something very simple....

Take it to the dealer...take a new one for a comparison drive...

 

[Saker]

Might try to record said "drone" if possible.

 

[midnight runner]

Sound like this? https://youtu.be/GYycwWwYaZU



noises are impossibly difficult to diagnose via text on a forum. See if you can record a vid and post it up.

 

[amalik]

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

In short, you're proper ****ed.

Your cynicism is a consistent source of entertainment throughout the forum for me.

 

[crankycodger]

There should not be any drone. Something is off.

Could be something very simple....

Take it to the dealer...take a new one for a comparison drive...

Perhaps I was inaccurate to describe it as a drone.

It's not the type of noise that leads one to think there's something amiss, it's just there. I'm beginning to think it may be just the native sound of the engine. Doesn't really sound like an exhaust leak and I'd guess the intake is well muffled just looking at the air cleaner ass'y. So perhaps the engine just has a unique sound to which I'm not accustomed.

It likely wouldn't be distinct enough to record.

Whatever it is, after 2,000 miles I'm beginning to think that this truck is otherwise endearing enough to make one forget about any faults, idiosynchracies, equipment omissions, etc.that it might have. It makes me smile in a way that no vehicle has in a long time.

 

[LandCruiser]

Is it just when the truck is moving, or can you replicate it in P?

Is this your first SUV/Toyota?

The 4Runner has a loud intake howl that doesn't even register to someone used to driving Toyotas, which is made worse by the lack of sound deadening compared to higher end vehicles.

If you're hearing it at speed, it's probably the drivetrain--you have a Limited and if it's a 4x4 you have a transfer case and two driveshafts spinning all manner of shit under there and it will be noticeable to someone not used to that.

Tires aren't going to be an issue if you left it stock and the low rolling resistance pizza-cutter style tires on the LE are pretty quiet--but they can whistle on concrete.

Do you have dealer bolt on shit like a bug deflector or a sunroof visor deflector?

Best thing to do is ask the dealer to drive one like your and see if the noise is there, or swing by Monument, CO and drive mine which drones, whines, rattles, and whooshes.

 

[crankycodger]

I'm in my late 60s and have had more vehicles of all types than I can count, but this is my first Toyota. Additionally, I spent my career as a new car dealer so I'm pretty familiar with all sorts of things that can happen.

The truck is bone stock. When I try to replicate the noise with the vehicle in park, there is too much other noise going on to segregate this one in particular.


"The 4Runner has a loud intake howl that doesn't even register to someone used to driving Toyotas, which is made worse by the lack of sound deadening compared to higher end vehicles."

Now, herein lies the most likely cause and is one of the things I originally theorized it might be. That makes perfect sense and explains why those of you responding had never noticed what I'm talking about. Thanks more than you know. I had no idea of the existence of a 4Runner intake howl but I can happily ignore it knowing that's what it is.

 

[Knight-Errant]

Does it sound like:

A) whaaaawhaaaawhaaaaa
B) moomoomoooomoooom
C) wakawakawakawkawka
D) pbpbpbpbpbpbppbbbbb
E) Ghhhhhhhghhhhhhghhh
F) AAAooooghaaaooooogha

I'm pretty sure we can diagnose the problem if you'd only give us some more details.