[EV Islander]

I bought my a 2017 LT Volt almost a year ago. It's been a dream to drive so far and I've got 15,000 km on it.

Lately, I've been hearing more noise from my brakes. Especially when when backing up. I can barely hear it with the radio or stereo playing. It's obvious when there's no other sound. I can also hear it while driving forward, although it's less obvious than when backing up.

I live on the west coast of Canada and it's been a pretty wet winter. I drive up a mountain road to go snowshoeing. There's some salt and sand on the road. For the past 6 months I've been braking in neutral a couple of times a week, to keep the physical brakes in working order. I haven't been good about washing the underside of the Volt....but the rain's been doing a good job on the top!

I've only been hearing the noise for the past few weeks. Thought I'd check with my fellow Volt owners before taking it in to the dealer. Did a search of the forum for brake issues, but haven't seen anything.

Anyone out there with this experience?

 

[JoeMap]

I bought my a 2017 LT Volt almost a year ago. It's been a dream to drive so far and I've got 15,000 km on it.

Lately, I've been hearing more noise from my brakes. Especially when when backing up. I can barely hear it with the radio or stereo playing. It's obvious when there's no other sound. I can also hear it while driving forward, although it's less obvious than when backing up.

I live on the west coast of Canada and it's been a pretty wet winter. I drive up a mountain road to go snowshoeing. There's some salt and sand on the road. For the past 6 months I've been braking in neutral a couple of times a week, to keep the physical brakes in working order. I haven't been good about washing the underside of the Volt....but the rain's been doing a good job on the top!

I've only been hearing the noise for the past few weeks. Thought I'd check with my fellow Volt owners before taking it in to the dealer. Did a search of the forum for brake issues, but haven't seen anything.

Anyone out there with this experience?

Could be rust but sounds like you've been taking care of that already.

My best guess is it could be a very small piece of gravel that got trapped in there. I know it doesn't seem plausible but it happens. I'd take a good look at your brake rotors (I'm guessing you can tell whether front or back, and maybe even which side but if not, just look at all of them) and look for a slight circular groove around the rotor. Google for a pic if you're unsure what I'm talking about. With any luck it'll eventually be reduced to a fine dust and disappear. However, sometimes it doesn't and can eventually cause a serious grinding noise (at which point you may be facing getting the rotors turned).

My $0.02 (CAD) tonight.

Joe

 

[AtomicPowered]

Take it in and ask for brake caliper cleaning and lube. They should clean and lube the caliper pins and slide surfaces. Rear brakes seem to be more of a problem on hybrid cars. Fifty bucks per wheel or less. Most cars in salty areas need it is every 2 years or 30k miles.
Don't let them up-sell replacing parts or refinishing rotors. I wouldn't spend a thousand $ to fix a little noise.

 

[TSquare]

I don't suppose this could be the Pedestrian Noise Maker that you just noticed? It only makes sound at slow speed. To me it sorta sounds like a noisy bearing, but it stops when the shifter is in Park. I can only hear it when parking in my garage with the window down.

 

[chevyman142000]

I can hear mine too and have so since I picked it up brand new. I haven't done anything about it and I haven't had any issues either.

 

[rand49er]

I've got the sound, too. Backing out of my garage, I hear it. Letting up on the pedal, it goes away, so seems to be inconsistent with some sort of "Pedestrian Noise Maker." Haven't investigated it yet. Thought it MIGHT have something to do with regen brakes, but I may grasping at straws.

 

[EV Islander]

I don't suppose this could be the Pedestrian Noise Maker that you just noticed? It only makes sound at slow speed. To me it sorta sounds like a noisy bearing, but it stops when the shifter is in Park. I can only hear it when parking in my garage with the window down.

Good idea....but no. I'm familiar with the Pedestrian Noise Maker and that's not it. This noise seems a little louder from the back end if anything.

 

[mushymelon]

I have the same noisy brakes mostly the rear brakes. Took the car down and old factory road at night and ran it in reverse with both feet.
One on the brake and one on the accelerator. Was gentle at first and then more aggressive for about hundred feet. Let it cool and repeated a couple times. The problem was solved for a couple weeks and is now returning. I'm planning on taking the brakes apart clean and lube. And repeating the reverse trick should be good for the summer. I may need to get the brakes turned every couple of years they just don't get used enough. 27000k 2017