In reading about synthetic oils, (I've been considering the switch from dino on my "new" 05/98k LE that has only used dino before I got it), engine area whining ended with the use of syn oil...but that would not mean that the whine in your PSP would be affected.

 

You could ask you dealer but I would say its normal best answer I got is its the Engine not the powersteering thats what my dealer said something to do with the vvt engine

 

Normal?

If this is normal thats ok but I have found no definate anser.

 

My Camry always whines when it's cold outside, it's normal engine noise. It's not quite as noticeable with my Borla exhaust but before I put it on it was pretty obvious. I've worked at 2 local Toyota dealers and every 2.5 sounds the same when it's cold.

 

I had the same issue with 2011 camry AT and whining was really loud around 2k-2.5k rpm. Had the dealer change st pump and tensioner pully. Now the noise is a bit low. But still there. Had it checked by another dealer, He says its the transmission. So not sure who is correct and what should be the correct diagnosis of the issue. And as someone already said - their general answer is its normal.
2009 rav4 has same engine(2AR-FE) but that does not have any noise like that. So I don't think its an engine issue. Most likely transmission or Steering(if steering I would suspect RACK or steering column as in my case already pump and tensioner changed). Toyota and their dealers knows this issue but don't like to address this problem.

 

I still have this issue...
Posted it in late 2010 to early 2011.
Took to two dealers and they said "Normal".
Third dealer changed the PS pump, noise level is down, but still there.

Remove the belt from the PS Pump, and listen for the noise. If it is gone, you found it, but good luck with eliminating it altogether, even with a new PS pump.