does the 2011 highlander limited v6 engine sound louder at lower outside temperatures

[vtec_1994]

Hi Everyone,

I have noticed that when the outside temperature is 80 or above the engine sounds pretty quiet.Anything below that and the engine sounds loud and the exhaust note seems more pronounced. The exhaust note sounds like a muffled muscle car. I assume that this is characteristic of the awd v6 engine. The engine just seems loud while accelerating in a sporty way. The lexus rx350 by contrast probably sounds quieter and the exhaust note much more muffled which would be characteristic of its luxury pedigree? If there are any TSBs related to engine sound please let me know.Thanks

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by vtec_1994

Hi Everyone,

I have noticed that when the outside temperature is 80 or above the engine sounds pretty quiet.Anything below that and the engine sounds loud and the exhaust note seems more pronounced. The exhaust note sounds like a muffled muscle car. I assume that this is characteristic of the awd v6 engine. The lexus rx350 by contrast probably sounds quieter and the exhaust note much more muffled which would be characteristic of its luxury pedigree? If there are any TSBs related to engine sound please let me know.Thanks

The rx350 uses the exact same engine as the 2008+ highlander (2gr-fe) so any differences between the two will just be because of the exhaust system/ interior deadening. AWD shouldn't effect how the engine sounds. Is the sound difference at running temperature or at start up, because cooler temperatures, the engine is gonna run rich and at a high rpm for a few minuets. I haven't noticed a different sound in mine at various temps, granted I like to think mine sounds like a "muffled muscle car" when I floor it , though its normally a fairly quiet/stable engine.
Hopefully somebody with a 2011 will post, Toyota might have tweaked the ECU for the engine some at this mid-cycle change.
Hope this helps
Patrick

[AXMACD]

I can say that my engine sounds louder in the winter than it does in the summer.

[DavidHB]

My 2011 V6 is somewhat louder at startup. Sounds loose

[Camread]

its a characteristic of any engines: louder when cold (startup)

[vtec_1994]

You are right about that,but the engine sounds loud,belts moving in the engine more pronounced as well as the exhaust note throughout the day. The exhaust note sounds a bit "throaty" or "sporty" upon acceleration.On a hot 80 degree day,it takes the engine very little time to warm up and the engine sounds quieter throughout the day.wondering about this temperature related variation. Does everyone have this "sporty" note to their exhaust system upon acceleration?

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by vtec_1994

You are right about that,but the engine sounds loud,belts moving in the engine more pronounced as well as the exhaust note throughout the day. The exhaust note sounds a bit "throaty" or "sporty" upon acceleration.On a hot 80 degree day,it takes the engine very little time to warm up and the engine sounds quieter throughout the day.wondering about this temperature related variation. Does everyone have this "sporty" note to their exhaust system upon acceleration?

the "sporty" note is just the engine at WOT, all the highlanders should have the same muffler so they should sound the same. Unless somebody puts somebody puts some performance mufflers on (magnaflow etc..) to really make it sound like a sports car

[thenebula873]

My Highlander started louder in the winter months than in the summer months. I think it has something to do with it warming itself up.

[vtec_1994]

can you clarify what it means that the "sporty" note is just the engine at WOT?not sure what WOT means-thanks