Does anybody else have this problem?

Above 50 mph or so (cruising in 4th in an auto xA), when I step on the gas just enough to maintain speed on a flat surface, there is a whining or high ringing from what sounds like the glove box area. I can't replicate the noise when standing still and have turned off the stereo, so I know it's not electrical feedback through the speakers.

At first I thought it was a vacuum leak, because there is also a sound like a very quiet police siren winding down when I slow to a stop, but the dealer said no and there are no performance issues. Is there a heat shield that would produce a quiet ringing from around that area? Anybody else notice this problem?

Both noises are audible above the stereo and wind noise at speed, but not loud enough to be noticble--unless you're the one driving the car every day. My wife is pretty upset that I pointed it out to her, because she now hears it all the time in the car.

 

I would suspect tire noise maybe. I have changed tires on my xb and the new ones are MUCH quieter than the origional Goodyears!

Walt

 

I don't think it's tire noise, because I only hear it when stepping on the gas. When I let off the gas, the noise goes away.

 

I have an xB with a 5 speed, and on a trip over the weekend, I noticed a similar noise.

For me, when rolling along at pretty much any speed, if I apply just a bit of gas, I get a whinging/ringing/rushing noise. No gas, no noise. More gas, the noise goes away. It's quiet, but like you said, once noticed, you can't avoid hearing it. I could only localize the noise to the engine compartment. It'll happen in 4th and 5th for sure, and maybe lower. Does this sound familiar?

I couldn't tell if it was fuel-system related, or air system. I also have a CAI (AEM). Do you, or is yours stock?

 

Mine's stock with an automatic transmission. I haven't noticed the noise at lower sppeds, but that's probably because I don't do much cruising at 30-40 in town--too many stoplights, hills, or curves requiring stop and go.

I think i'll have to take it back to the dealer and make them drive on the highway with me.

 

low pro tires cause alot of noise