Yes I agree that this is probably the problem. Usually I would just do as you are saying and just wait until it is really loud and then fix it. My concern however is in reading the other discussion concerning the batteries. At 100K my battery warranty ended 20K miles ago (why do some people have a 150K warranty but I don't?).

So now we have a major repair of the tranny at some time soon and the unknown of the batteries. My gut is that I am going to sell it. Get another Hybrid? Doing the math right now. Any opinions?