Noise when started

[mdrevs]

I'm a new owner of a 2013 Titanium Energi.  I don't notice it when I'm in the car, but if I'm outside of the car and my wife or daughter starts the car and backs out of the driveway and the begins to drive away, there is a noise in the engine compartment.  It's hard to describe, but it sounds similar to a drill running  The car is fully charged and in EV mode.  Is this normal?  The car performs fine.

 

Thanks in advance for your comments.  

[Russael]

That is the active grill shutters either opening or closing.  I've noticed it too while backing out of the garage.  You'll hear it for about 2 - 3 seconds and then it's quiet again.

 

Edit:  Welcome to the forum and welcome to your new car. :)

Edited November 16, 2013 at 04:11 AM by Russael

[mdrevs]

Interesting, thank you, Russael. I'll have to check that out.  I'm amazed at this vehicle.  From what I've read, it processes 25 gigabyte of data an hour monitoring it's various components.  If the lane departure correction was better, the car could almost drive itself using active cruise control! Thanks.

[CombsAuthor]

Welcome to the forum!

[ChuckJ]

There's another noise that sounds like a pump or something.   My 2011 Fusion hybrid also had this.

 

ChuckJ

[Russael]

I've never owned any hybrids aside from the 2013 Energi, but as far as other pump noises go, I believe the water pump is electrically controlled, the A/C compressor is electric... power steering is electric but that doesn't make any noise...  I think a lot of parts are still similar between the two vehicles.  If your 2011 hybrid didn't have a serpentine belt, those are the only other pump noises I can think of.

 

There's thousands of pictures on google but pretty much zilch for under the hood shots. :)

 

 

 

Interesting, thank you, Russael. I'll have to check that out.  I'm amazed at this vehicle.  From what I've read, it processes 25 gigabyte of data an hour monitoring it's various components.  If the lane departure correction was better, the car could almost drive itself using active cruise control! Thanks.

 

We're getting closer and closer to that.  People are insane and removing the human element from travel will definitely keep more of us safe.  Youtube has hundreds of videos of road rage examples.  :)

 

Aside from that, the car is pretty much a giant computer.  I think of it like driving a videogame while always trying to beat my own score.  I find it a very relaxing ride, but I'm not an aggressive driver.  I drive the speed limit now wherever I go (including driving my gas guzzling Expedition), and I find I have even less stress about rolling down the road thanks to this car.  I also love it when my co-workers complain about the price of gas.  I haven't used a drop in the car since delivery (but my commutes allow that).  I also very much enjoy the fact that when I do drive, I'm driving on a domestic product (electricity).  Even the materials to make electricity usually come domestically, so it's win-win.