[shiftinsert]

Update: Link to the sound SndUp | Post info

Hello all,

I'm not sure I use the right word for the sound, but it's kinda woo woo woo, especially when AWD is active. If I keep the same speed the sound lengthens and resonates to make it very unpleasant. This happens in ECO and NORMAL driving modes.

I also noticed, if the speed is about 40 mph and I switch the shifter to S and S5 is on the screen, I push the shifter forward to S6 and depress gas pedal I can hear that sound.

I drove CVT previously, and just got this car for 2 weeks. Not sure if this is the typical 5th gen sound or I'm overthinking it.

Thanks

 

[JFox562]

Hello all,

I'm not sure I use the right word for the sound, but it's kinda woo woo woo, especially when AWD is active. If I keep the same speed the sound lengthens and resonates to make it very unpleasant. This happens in ECO and NORMAL driving modes.

I also noticed, if the speed is about 40 mph and I switch the shifter to S and S5 is on the screen, I push the shifter forward to S6 and depress gas pedal I can hear that sound.

I drove CVT previously, and just got this car for 2 weeks. Not sure if this is the typical 5th gen sound or I'm overthinking it.

Thanks

I could be wrong , but this sounds like tire issue. Does it change when driving on different surfaces. For instance, concrete verses asphalt roads? Road grooves can cause this sound too. A bad alignment could also cause that sound due to a tire or tires trying to go in the wrong direction and then gets pulled back.

 

[shiftinsert]

I could be wrong , but this sounds like tire issue. Does it change when driving on different surfaces. For instance, concrete verses asphalt roads? Road grooves can cause this sound too. A bad alignment could also cause that sound due to a tire or tires trying to go in the wrong direction and then gets pulled back.

So, I went for a test drive a new 2023 RAV4 XLE and I can produce the very same sound. It's the second gear after a full stop, you're going uphill and instead of a hard acceleration you just depress it slightly and keep going uphill slowly. It's like forcing the car to struggle with the load but no more fuel given. So, no, not the tires because the tires' noise is a little bit different.

 

[JFox562]

That sounds normal. Toyota had to correct the 8 speed transmissions programming early on in the life of the 5th gen RAV4. I purchased mine in Feb 2019 and finally in Oct 2019, they had a TSB out to reprogram the transmission to correct a lurching that would happen if you didn't come to a complete stop at a stop sig and count to 5. If you didn't wait long enough, it would attempt to start off in 2nd then unexpectedly, it would shift into 1st. I felt like you popped the clutch on a manual transmission. It made passenger question my driving ability of an automatic transmission.

Once Toyota came up with the fix, I got mine reprogrammed and it was like driving a completely different vehicle. I did, however, notice that their fix was related to what gear the transmission would start you out in.

I did some testing and found that if you stopped long enough, the transmission would start you off in 1st gear. Such as at a stop light. A quick stop such as a stop sign where you might stop just long enough to be a legal stop, the vehicle would start out what seemed to be a bit sluggish. If you gave it a bit more gas pedal, the transmission would shift down to 1st and away you went. This took a bit to get used to since the brain tells you that more gas pedal is using more gas. Eventually, I got used to this but it didn't take long since the alternative was unacceptable.

So the reason I'm telling you about this is once Toyota came out with the new programming, any RAV4 made around the time Toyota was figuring this out, would already have the new program which sounds to be what you have in your 2023.

The question would then be, when you have stopped long enough for the transmission to shift to 1st, do you still get the noise? Oh wait, your original post stated faster speeds and higher gear selection. Hmm, I haven't heard it on mine but then again, the Limited trim has a different AWD system than the XLE trim; which is a different story.

 

[shiftinsert]

That sounds normal...

Before we continue, I'd like to thank you for discussing this with me. My wife and the mechanics at the original dealer make me think I'm wasting time on this issue. And, it seems they're right LOL

But, the point I'm trying to make is that I get the noise of starting again after a full stop when I'm cruising around 50mph and I want to reach 60mph. That woo woo harmonic/low freq whining noise is there as long as I maintain that 60mph speed.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

I'm not sure I use the right word for the sound, but it's kinda woo woo woo, especially when AWD is active.

So, I went for a test drive a new 2023 RAV4 XLE and I can produce the very same sound.

So you have a 2021 "regular" XLE and heard a "Woo, Woo" sound and then you tested a new 2023 XLE and got it to also make a "Woo, Woo." I own a 2021 XLE ICE (gas) model which is quite "regular" and has never suffered from vehicular constipation (...a sorry pun). I have never heard any "WOO, Woo" from mine. I drive up and down hills both fast and slow. The AWD is ALWAYS active on the 5th generation--it is never off--but there are times when power won't be going to any wheels (like when you are gliding downhill with your foot off the gas.) I really don't know what sound you are hearing. No one else has ever complained about XLEs making "WOO,WOOs." The TRD and other models with the Torque Vectoring rear end can and do make a "Mooing" noise. However the XLEs have the standard Toyota AWD rear end and do not make such a noise. Maybe you should record the sound and post it here so we can better understand your problem to help you.

 

[shiftinsert]

So you have a 2021 "regular" XLE and heard a "Woo, Woo" sound and then you tested a new 2023 XLE and got it to also make a "Woo, Woo." I own a 2021 XLE ICE (gas) model which is quite "regular" and has never suffered from vehicular constipation (...a sorry pun). I have never heard any "WOO, Woo" from mine. I drive up and down hills both fast and slow. The AWD is ALWAYS active on the 5th generation--it is never off--but there are times when power won't be going to any wheels (like when you are gliding downhill with your foot off the gas.) I really don't know what sound you are hearing. No one else has ever complained about XLEs making "WOO,WOOs." The TRD and other models with the Torque Vectoring rear end can and do make a "Mooing" noise. However the XLEs have the standard Toyota AWD rear end and do not make such a noise. Maybe you should record the sound and post it here so we can better understand your problem to help you.

I tried that multiple times, but my iphone couldn't pick up that sound. But your post reminds me about my spare LG v40, so here is the recording of the sound: SndUp | Post info. It starts at 0:15 to 0:30, after that there are some instances of the same sound but shorter when it shifts from second gear to the next after red lights.

I tried to search for similar posts on this forum and reddit and elsewhere, and people are talking about Prime, TRD, Hybrid and so on. That's why I put "regular" in the title to avoid any confusion and unnecessary questions about the trim level.

Yes, AWD is always active. Sorry, I used the wrong word here. When your MID is showing the AWD status, "active" that I used in the post mean the rear wheels on that screen also light up.

 

[TheBTR]

I listened to your recording. I hear it. I'm not sure what's making that sound. Hopefully, others here can identify the cause. Good luck with it.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

here is the recording of the sound: SndUp | Post info. It starts at 0:15 to 0:30, after that there are some instances of the same sound but shorter when it shifts from second gear to the next after red lights.

Sounds like any other XLE ICE model 5th gen RAV to me. Most of the noise is the tires and wind. The occasional thuds are the car going over tar strips or bumps. You can hear some slight exhaust or engine noise when you ease on the gas. All perfectly normal in my opinion. You might check your tire pressures and make sure they are set to the PSI on the door jamb sticker.

 

[Paul894]

Try changing out your transfer case and rear differential fluid with Mobil 1 75W-90. I changed mine at only 20,000 miles but the rear differential fluid was very dark, almost brown and the drain plug magnet had a lot of sludge on them. The fill and drain plugs are easily accessible, all you need is:

• 1 quart 75W-90 (two to be safe)
• a stubby 10mm hex bit
• 4 or 6 inch extension
• 1/2 in. drive 18 inch breaker bar
• torque wrench
• ratchet
• a $10 fluid pump
• drain pan
• crush washers (Part #12157-10010)
• bubble level

You don't even have to jack up the car, but obviously makes using a torque wrench easier. Make sure the car is level for rear differential. All four plugs torqued to 29 ft. lbs. Just pump the fluid until it drips out.

 

[shiftinsert]

Sounds like any other XLE ICE model 5th gen RAV to me. Most of the noise is the tires and wind. The occasional thuds are the car going over tar strips or bumps. You can hear some slight exhaust or engine noise when you ease on the gas. All perfectly normal in my opinion. You might check your tire pressures and make sure they are set to the PSI on the door jamb sticker.

Thanks for confirming. So, it's absolutely normal, but my brain doesn't like it. I have to admit that I switch the shifter to S6 in order to produce that sound at 0:15-0:30 but it's the exact same sound I described earlier. It's the one I could make and pointed out to the car salesman with me on the 2023 RAV4. I should look for some sound deadening solution then.

Tire pressure is the first thing I checked, and I event bought one air compressor plus separate gauge to make sure it's at 36 psi.

 

[shiftinsert]

Try changing out your transfer case and rear differential fluid with Mobil 1 75W-90.

I'd rather visit a shop for this but thank you for suggesting this. I'll try to have those oils changed soon.

 

[shiftinsert]

...The fill and drain plugs are easily accessible...

I went to The Duke of Oil in my area and the tech there told me he couldn't access the rear differential fill plug, so he refused to check the fluid. Before that, 2 other shops also refused to show me what fluid they gonna put in as I asked them to check the transmission fluid as well.

But the guy at Duke checked my transmission and torque converter fluid. They are both clean BUT the transmission fluid is low. So, he suggested me to top it off with Valvoline MaxLife and because he doesn't have Toyota 75W-85 in the shop so he also suggested to leave the torque converter fluid as is, not a big deal.

What surprised him and me was that he had to top almost 4 quarts of MaxLife. The car only has 11k miles on it and followed Toyota scheduled maintenance by previous owner. He saw no trace of leaks. Guess what? After topping off, I drove the car 50 miles and just parked it 5 mins ago AND it's very smooth, responsive and the noise was very little. I used the S6 trick above, but it did not sound that way anymore.

Toyota tried to save cost and put just half of the trans oil in factory? I'm baffled.

 

[Paul894]

I went to The Duke of Oil in my area and the tech there told me he couldn't access the rear differential fill plug, so he refused to check the fluid. Before that, 2 other shops also refused to show me what fluid they gonna put in as I asked them to check the transmission fluid as well.

But the guy at Duke checked my transmission and torque converter fluid. They are both clean BUT the transmission fluid is low. So, he suggested me to top it off with Valvoline MaxLife and because he doesn't have Toyota 75W-85 in the shop so he also suggested to leave the torque converter fluid as is, not a big deal.

What surprised him and me was that he had to top almost 4 quarts of MaxLife. The car only has 11k miles on it and followed Toyota scheduled maintenance by previous owner. He saw no trace of leaks. Guess what? After topping off, I drove the car 50 miles and just parked it 5 mins ago AND it's very smooth, responsive and the noise was very little. I used the S6 trick above, but it did not sound that way anymore.

Toyota tried to save cost and put just half of the trans oil in factory? I'm baffled.

That's very odd, the only plug that is slightly hard to access is the fill plug on the transfer case, but even that you can loosen with a swivel ratchet. Fill plug on the rear diff requires a 4 or 6 inch extension. The drain plugs are on the bottom and very easy to remove. Here's a video that shows all of the plug locations.

The 8 speed transmission does not use 75W-85 it uses Toyota WS transmission fluid. I'm not sure if this can be substituted with Valvoline Max Life...With Toyotas and Hondas it's best to stick to OEM Toyota transmission fluid. Only the transfer case and rear diff use 75W-85, which can be substituted with 75W-90.

I wouldn't go to an independent shop to service the transmission because it requires a special procedure and proper temperature to in order to properly measure the level. They'll also have to put the car into diagnostic mode. If I were you I'd go to Toyota and have them do a transmission fluid exchange because that independent shop may have overfilled it. The only way to measure it is by removing the drain plug.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

But the guy at Duke checked my transmission and torque converter fluid.

This is bogus! First they are not separate. Second, there is no trans dipstick and no way to check for the proper fill level short of just doing the drain and replacement procedure which is slightly complicated.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

What surprised him and me was that he had to top almost 4 quarts of MaxLife.

Toyota tried to save cost and put just half of the trans oil in factory? I'm baffled.

This was a scam--the whole trans might only use 4 quarts. This guy just did a drain and refill. You better hope he did it correctly.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

So, he suggested me to top it off with Valvoline MaxLife and because he doesn't have Toyota 75W-85 in the shop so he also suggested to leave the torque converter fluid as is, not a big deal.

I don't understand why he claims the torque converter uses fluid separate from the trans--I think they use the same fluid which circulates from one to the other. This mechanic is a con artist and did not know what he is talking about or else feeding you a line of BS! I second the other poster's suggestion you go to a Toyota dealer (which you should have done in the first place) and get that improper Valvoline fluid drained and properly replaced. Unfortunately there will still be some of the Valvoline in there contaminating the Toyota fluid.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

I wouldn't go to an independent shop to service the transmission because it requires a special procedure and proper temperature to in order to properly measure the level. They'll also have to put the car into diagnostic mode. If I were you I'd go to Toyota and have them do a transmission fluid exchange because that independent shop may have overfilled it. The only way to measure it is by removing the drain plug.

I completely agree. There are YouTube videos by the CarCareNut showing the procedure to replace the 5th gen RAV trans fluid--it is NOT just a simple drain and refill.

 

[Skinny guy]

tech there told me he couldn't access the rear differential fill plug, so he refused to check the fluid.

He was too lazy to find proper extension.

because he doesn't have Toyota 75W-85 in the shop so he also suggested to leave the torque converter fluid as is, not a big deal.

That lazy guy called the transfer case as a torque converter?
Run away from that shop.

 

[Skinny guy]

I wouldn't go to an independent shop to service the transmission because it requires a special procedure and proper temperature to in order to properly measure the level. They'll also have to put the car into diagnostic mode.

All you need is just a scanner which can display transmission fluid temperature.

As an alternative you can use jumper wire on OBDII and play with shifter (there are a lot of video on YouTube). Honestly I don't like this way. It is better to invest some money in average scanner. But its work just learn this method carefully.