Soft unidentified tinkling noise audible at low speed

[RMcG]

I hear a noise at low speed when driving my Yaris with the window open. The best way to describe it is as a tinkling noise. A relative thought it might be a pebble in a hubcap. That's a good description, but I had & have no hubcaps.

It's not loud enough to be heard at higher speeds, especially with the window closed.

I've been hearing it for at least 2 years, and it does not seem to be affecting the vehicle in any way. The Yaris is just a month shy of 10 years old. I bought it new.

QUESTION: Does anybody have any idea what the noise could be and if it is important?

Thanks,

R.

[komichal]

My friend experienced something similar, it was coming from rear right wheel. The exhaust muffler was the culprit - while it looked pretty solid outside, there was something loosened inside - it was tinkling and rattling a bit in low RPMs. With higher RPMs the noise was gone - probably the pressure of the fumes did its job.
I am not saying that this is your problem too... just that I have experienced this. :)

[dogsridewith]

A month or so ago I installed the summer treads (on circa 1990 Miata steelies w/ a 2 year old powdercoat, leaving the wheel-to-hub/drum interface dry and free of any lube except around the center holes.) and immediately started to hear a "Soft unidentified tinkling noise audible at low speed."
Only other things I did were rattle-can the circa 1990 Tercel steel acorn lugnuts w/ rust converter and squirt Corrosion Block on all seams and fasteners I could see from underneath the Yaris.
No idea of noise source.
Not hearing it now.

[RMcG]

Thanks Dogsride and komichai,

Any other comments from you or anybody else will be welcomed.

R.

[fourbangingfun]

Could be a small stone stuck in one of your rotors. I had the same symptoms in my 07 sedan, even took a video to show the sound I was getting at low speeds. I had to take the wheel off, remove the caliper, and remove the rotor - and the stone fell right out onto the ground. Hope this helps.

https://youtu.be/79KPXKrsZao

[RMcG]

Could be a small stone stuck in one of your rotors. I had the same symptoms in my 07 sedan, even took a video to show the sound I was getting at low speeds. I had to take the wheel off, remove the caliper, and remove the rotor - and the stone fell right out onto the ground. Hope this helps.

https://youtu.be/79KPXKrsZao

Thanks four,

That might be the problem. I'll check.

R.