Cold startup, bit of a whine

When I start my 02 Focus ZTS up for the first time during the day, the car makes a pretty loud whine that goes away, and after warming up it goes away. Is this normal? There's a knockish type sound that gets quieter and becomes pretty faint while driving (except at high speeds on the freeway to work, where it's easier to hear it). It's about 15-25 degrees F out at the time, usually.

When the temps go below freezing my 03 does the same thing. I have never had a problem with it, and I assume it's either the belt or one of the accessory drive pulleys complaining. Once the car warms up it goes away. as far as the knocking goes, it might be the gas you're using. Try a tank of premium and see if if disappears. The higher octane content should keep it from knocking, and if it doesn't your knock sensor may be going. You could also try tapping the engine block repeatedly to see if the engine behaviouor changes, this should tell you if the sensor is operating. Hope that helps.

I have an "02 and it does the same thing. Never caused a problem so far as I know.