I drive a Skyactiv 2013 Mazda 3 2.0 Liter MT 65,000 miles, and recently bought a 2023 CX-5 NA AT bought new, now at 10,000 miles. Over time I noticed pretty much the same noise with the same characteristics in both vehicles. I get to maybe 45 MPH ish, and I hear a whine that slowly raises in pitch with speed.

Both cars drive perfectly normal. Seems unlikely that it’s an issue since both cars do it. I’ve read a post or two where people took their cars to the dealership and they said it was a normal sound that the alternator makes. Interested to see if anyone else experiences this with their car, or has any thoughts on it.

Thanks for reading, love the subreddit everyone!

      • avd706@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I think they have their own cooling fans. Def a high pitched whine.

        • Rhegedorn1324@alien.topOPBEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          Ahh strange, but not surprised with how bright headlights are nowadays I guess. Might still be something else with the variation in pitch with speed and the fact that it also happens on my gen 2 Mazda 3.

          But the cooling fan itself I could still totally see being it.