Kizashi Club

Its been about 3 weeks since I bought my 2011 kizashi and in the last week, Ive noticed a squealing sound as soon as i start the car that lasts about 3-5 sec then goes away. Is anyone else experiencing this? Whats going on?

Sounds like a loose drive belt on the engine.

Were any of the 2011s part of the belt tensioner TSB/ recall? Might want to check w/ a zuk dealer to see if the car you bought a) was part of the recall and b) if it it was done or not.

The symptom of engine squealing when it's turned on and the noise going away after a little bit is almost always the engine belt (the accessory belt, not the internal chain). It's the belt you see that runs your alternator, A/C compressor, water pump, and is powered by the engine's crankshaft pulley. The noise is emitted because of a lack of proper tension on the pulleys. Weather and its temperatures have a lot of effect on this that's why cars commonly squeal in the winter cold. The noise goes away once the friction of the pulleys warm up the belt.

The Kizashi does have an automatic tensioner that adjusts the belt automatically. That being said, as Ronzuki pointed out, there was a recall on the tensioner in the Kizashi. Not sure if it affects your model year, but you should inquire about it at your dealer.

Regardless the tensioner will be a warranted item unless you are over 100k and even if you were over 100k it probably shouldn't cost much to replace. (I honestly don't know the exact layout on the kizashi though) Most of the time you can replace tensioners in under an hour if you know what you are doing. (The Kizashi might have some stuff in the way to complicate things though)

mine squeals for a second or 2 when started in cold weather (-20 celsius)

yea, same here. probably weather related.

Yes, they're extreme temps. It could be ice forming on the belt/ pulleys that quickly gets thrown/ melted off.

but interestingly, my 04 camry doesn't have the squeal whens starting up......design flaw??