2021 Prius - Disable Virtual Engine Sound - AKA Spaceship hum

Similar to others, I took the speaker out, filled in the speaker with caulk, wrapped it in foam and Gorilla tape. Can barely hear it going forward, much quieter in reverese.

 

Economodder, Thanks for the idea of just putting duct tape on it. However when I wrapped mine, it was still too loud. So I ended up removing it entirely from the car, and just putting a jumper bridge across the wires in the plug and taped it to keep the water out. This fooled the car in thinking it was still installed in the car. That way you won't get the error message on the dash. Now the car is nice and quiet as it should be.

 

No aftermarket speaker that has a more pleasant noise vs the squealing brake sound. Perhaps even the jetsons space ship sound. Anything else would be better. It irritates me to drive at speeds below 22mph or reverse.

 

I just picked up a PP XLE last week... Maybe I'm in the minority but I kind of like the low-speed spaceship hum! The previous car I was driving was a 2015 Ford Fusion Energy (plug-in hybrid), which I've given to another family member. Here are a few observations:

1. I only notice it when the windows are rolled down and I'm in a quiet place, like my garage or other parking garage. I'm usually listening to music so I rarely hear the hum.
2. The 2015 Fusion Energi is dead silent, and people in parking lots are completely unaware that I'm behind them. One time I had to honk the horn to let this "senior" person know I was there. She just about had a heart attack (from the horn). Good thing she didn't, because I really didn't want to perform CPR on her.
3. Since the shifter in a "unique" location, and it doesn't stay in the "Reverse" location like on my Fusion Energi, the louder hum in reverse *reminds* me that I'm in reverse. Better to be reminded with the sound; otherwise I might think I'm in Drive, then BOOM... I just backed into something like a wall or other car.

Anyway, just a counterpoint to disabling the sound.

 

Congrats on the new ride ... and welcome! Maybe they need a "parking lot horn." Push the button and a speaker goes, "Do ya mind?!"

 

I wonder what drives the regulation as our 2020 Pacifica hybrid does not have an audible sound added when in reverse. I suppose the regulation could be that new.

 

I just disconnected the speaker and wired a 8 ohm resistor across the dangling wires. No noise and no warnings.

 

mandated in 2021, but congress passed the bill years ago with the current phase in. some companies like toyota chose to add something as early as 2012, while others didn't.

the regulation was driven by the national association for the blind.

 

Brian could you please explain jumper wire?

 

For some reason, I didn't notice the noise during test drive. Them I thought I might get used to it, but it's 6 months now and I can't stand it. That noise and the ridiculously small hatch space are making me reconsider my purchase.

 

Great info! This will be the first mod, other than pulling off ugly hubcaps

 

Wow this thing is loud in reverse on a 21.....Wife says "Wth is that?! " first time in reverse with windows down Filled all holes with silicone and wrapped with couple layers of ducttape. Can barely hear in reverse now, not at all in drive.

 

Can someone please post a picture on where this speaker is located. Please....

 

Glad I came on this thread! Just switched from my Prime 2018 to 2021 model and I couldn't believe the NOISE level under 20mph and while backing up. What used to be a quiet ride is now almost disturbing.

I was hoping to disable using Carista but it seems like this is no longer part of the customization. Did you follow a tutorial for finding the speaker? I would love to do the same but I have no clue where to look for... pictures, something?

Thanks !

 

I'm glad I found this thread...thought my 2021 Prius AWD had serious issues with those noises. I went and tested my 2017 Prius and it makes no sounds but I did ask the dealer, after we bought it, to turn off the backup beep.

I'm assuming the speaker is under the dash? Where, exactly? Covering it up with some foam should probably help.

 

The backup beep is inside the car in the dash. It's for drivers too oblivious to know they put the car in reverse and to see the backup camera turn on and the world passing by them backwards. The so-called virtual engine noise speaker is behind the grill on the gen 4 Prius more or less between the left headlight and the radar sensor. And it's purpose it to make your car that's not running an ICE at low speed be 10-20 times louder than most cars that are running an ICE.

 

Thanks, Jerry! I'll have to see if I can muffle it this weekend!

You know, just about any computer is hackable...I'm wondering if some wiz-kid will come up with a hack that lets us replace the annoying alien sound with whatever we want...here's some I thought of

"Move out of my way, lard butt! Move out of my way, lard butt!"

"Move it or lose it! Move it or lose it!"

"Coming through.....coming through!"

"Make a hole, people...make a hole people...."

"Don't make me hit you...don't make me hit you....."

 

I’d appreciate the reverse-beep saying “you’re in reverse, you’re in reverse”.