I bought a 2020 Model S in November 2022 from Tesla with all available options. I noticed it making an odd noise occasionally. To me, it sounds reminiscent of part of an old telephone modem handshake noise.
I have recorded the noise multiple times and had Tesla take a look multiple times when the car was there for other reasons. They always say they can’t hear it on the recordings. My hearing isn’t great. I hear it, as do people that have listened to it. It’s easier with headphones.
It MAY be a normal Tesla noise. I can’t find anything like it on the internet.
When I first noticed it, my initial (INCOMPLETE) observation was that it seemed to only occur after I had been on the interstate for a while and took an exit ramp. It seemed to predictably occur soon after that. Tesla thought maybe it had to do with rusty brakes or such. But it would sometimes occur even if I was accelerating.
Now I realize that it occurs when two conditions are met.
#1. I have been driving for a bit of distance first. If I drive the 6 miles/25 minutes to one of the places I work. That’s enough that the noise can trigger. If I drive from the Tesla Service Center to a spot 0.8 miles away, it doesn’t make the noise.
#2. It always occurs at the same spots geographically. If I don’t drive to any of those spots, it doesn’t seem to occur. There are several “spots,” not just one or two.
When I drive home for work, it will do it once at a spot not far after I take the exit. It also does it at a spot when I’m getting close to my home. No fast driving or interstate between those two occurrences.
It’s a high-pitched trilling sound that lasts a second or two at normal speeds, but lasts longer at slower speeds. Road noise partially drowns out this sound at faster speeds.
The noise is much more noticeable in person than it is on the recording. It vaguely seems to be coming from the front of the vehicle. With one or both windows down, I can’t localize it left or right and it doesn’t seem to be louder.
Once when I heard it, my car was adjusting the suspension height. I have never seen that connection again. I looked up many online sounds made by adaptive suspension, but found nothing like this.
I can’t find it. I don’t know whether it’s a normal or abnormal sound. I thought I would post and see if anyone else had any knowledge of this. It may help someone else who has noticed the same thing.
I’ll attach a couple of files so you can hear it at normal speeds and slower speeds.
In the audio recording, it is at about the 3-second mark and is admittedly a little difficult to hear. This is at normal road speeds. In the video, it is much easier to hear, but stretches longer and sounds a bit less like the modem. Imagine that one played a little faster.
Apparently I don’t know how to attach a video or a sound recording. It only gives me the option to attach static files. I’ll see if I can figure that out and add them.
I have recorded the noise multiple times and had Tesla take a look multiple times when the car was there for other reasons. They always say they can’t hear it on the recordings. My hearing isn’t great. I hear it, as do people that have listened to it. It’s easier with headphones.
It MAY be a normal Tesla noise. I can’t find anything like it on the internet.
When I first noticed it, my initial (INCOMPLETE) observation was that it seemed to only occur after I had been on the interstate for a while and took an exit ramp. It seemed to predictably occur soon after that. Tesla thought maybe it had to do with rusty brakes or such. But it would sometimes occur even if I was accelerating.
Now I realize that it occurs when two conditions are met.
#1. I have been driving for a bit of distance first. If I drive the 6 miles/25 minutes to one of the places I work. That’s enough that the noise can trigger. If I drive from the Tesla Service Center to a spot 0.8 miles away, it doesn’t make the noise.
#2. It always occurs at the same spots geographically. If I don’t drive to any of those spots, it doesn’t seem to occur. There are several “spots,” not just one or two.
When I drive home for work, it will do it once at a spot not far after I take the exit. It also does it at a spot when I’m getting close to my home. No fast driving or interstate between those two occurrences.
It’s a high-pitched trilling sound that lasts a second or two at normal speeds, but lasts longer at slower speeds. Road noise partially drowns out this sound at faster speeds.
The noise is much more noticeable in person than it is on the recording. It vaguely seems to be coming from the front of the vehicle. With one or both windows down, I can’t localize it left or right and it doesn’t seem to be louder.
Once when I heard it, my car was adjusting the suspension height. I have never seen that connection again. I looked up many online sounds made by adaptive suspension, but found nothing like this.
I can’t find it. I don’t know whether it’s a normal or abnormal sound. I thought I would post and see if anyone else had any knowledge of this. It may help someone else who has noticed the same thing.
I’ll attach a couple of files so you can hear it at normal speeds and slower speeds.
Apparently I don’t know how to attach a video or a sound recording. It only gives me the option to attach static files. I’ll see if I can figure that out and add them.
