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Strange Sound When Backing Up

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Colorado Boo, Jul 22, 2021.

  1. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    2021 Prius
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    LE AWD-e
    I asked AMD (the Car Care Nut on Youtube) about this sound and he told me to get it on video, so I did. It's hard to describe (especially with the stupid backup beep) but kind of sounds like a hum of two thin sheets of metal rubbing together.) Yes, it makes the sound every time I back up.
    Our 2017 Prius makes no sounds like this when backing up, and never has.

    Have a listen....anybody else have this? (It is an AWD car but not sure if that makes a difference.)

     
    #1 Colorado Boo, Jul 22, 2021
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's your VPNS vehicle pedestrian notification system. it was adjustable in 2017, now it is required by nhtsa.
    it is on forward and backward up to around 18mph, but the conditions have to be right to hear it inside the car.
    toyota has had it since 2012

    nhtsa was petitioned by the federation for the blind, because they were being killed by prius left and right because they were too quiet.
    the back up beep is for you because toyota drivers are all old and senile, and can't detect which direction they are going
     
    #2 bisco, Jul 22, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2021
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  3. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    Thats what I am hearing, its the "HUMM" for pedis unless I am not hearing what you are describing. Set a gopro shoot a video of yourself moving forward and in reverse , you'll hear the hum
     
    #3 Pulse07, Jul 22, 2021
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  4. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yup! It's the pedestrian warning system. Much louder outside the car on the new ones. My 2017 is almost inaudible on the loudest setting. Gotta make sure the EVs are 10 times louder than the RAM 2500 diesels.
     
    #4 jerrymildred, Jul 23, 2021
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  5. MIkeDr

    MIkeDr Active Member

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    And I think it could be worse. The Honda CR-V hybrid sounds like a chirping robotic bird.
     
    #5 MIkeDr, Jul 23, 2021
  6. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    XLE AWD-e
    the sound volume can be changed?
     
    #6 Pulse07, Jul 23, 2021
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yes if it's previous to the 2021 MY. It's the first item on the customizable feature list in the 2017 owners manual. The manual says a dealer has to do it, but lots of OBDII phone apps will also allow you to change this along with a bunch of other settings.
    Screen Shot 2021-07-24 at 9.56.59 AM.png
     
    #7 jerrymildred, Jul 24, 2021
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