2021 Annoying slow speed noise

At higher speeds, tire-pavement noises are significant, so no added noise is, er, uh, "needed", so are allowed to be turned off.

If this noisemaker law were really rational, it would set a minimum noise level for all cars, regardless of power source, even traditional ICEs. While most ICEs would pass without added noisemakers, it seems that a not insignificant number of modern ICE cars, engineered to be as quiet as practical, would already be flunking this requirement. Excluding them from noisemaker requirements is discriminatory.

 

I thought about mentioning this earlier but didn't take the time. I've been surprised in parking lots a number of times by dead silent ICE cars behind me.

 

It's another hole in the "study" of the dangers of EV vehicles. I am relatively frequently almost the victim of inattentive people throwing their car into reverse in a parking lot and I don't hear their ICE vehicle running at all.

 

This thread saved me some stress about this odd sound and a trip back to the dealer.

 

Yeah, it reminds me of my original post of a annoying hissing sound.
I also noticed that the sound is differnt from car to car. I ask the seller to drive 3 cars by passed me, and I chose the one with least annoying sound.

 

So it can or can’t be lowered?

 

I am pretty sure there are videos on how to do that. But it is illegal now I believe.

 

it might be possible to lower the volume legally, i'm not sure. check the owners manual, and ask a dealer. you might need tech stream

 

As I stated above in a previous comment, it was owner customizable using Carista or Techstrem in pre-2020 models. In the 2021 owner's manual, this item for VPNS sound level does not appear on the customizable item list. I assumed that means it can no longer be changed, but I have not checked it with Carista on my 2021 PP. On my 2020 PP, the default was set at the highest, but still, it was barely audible.

 

I believe the law requiring such sounds, at least in Canada, became effective in 2021, so it is no longer possible to alter its volume because of that. Same principle as the reverse camera requirement here—I think it was 2018 or 2019. As a result, a base model Nissan Micra came with a camera as standard equipment whereas some cars of much higher price/category still had it as an option a year or earlier.

 

i can find u.s. implementation of sep 2020, and speeds tp 18.6mph, but i cannot find decibel requirement and measured where.
wiki says 'the sounds must be loud enough for pedestrians to hear over backround noise'

 

see II B. federal government, no page numbers

 

Likely what the law says.

 

Anyone with a 2021 PP and Carista, can you please confirm if it's possible to lower the VPNS sound level or disable it?

I rather do this this then to open the hood (i am not handy with cars).

 

Not on a 2021. Big gubmint says we aren't smart enough to make a good decision on that. Previous model years had three volume settings.

 

I saw a YouTube video, maybe posted here, where someone takes the actual speaker out and fills it up with something to soften the noise.

Does that work?

My Prius is way louder than my wife’s explorer, and frankly that’s stupid.

 

Others have reported that you need to replace the speaker with a resistor or the car will throw a code. Others have wrapped the speaker in bubble wrap. Others don't seem to mind.

 

Thanks. Did bubble wrap actually help?

 

I think they said it did. I'd think it would.

 

I have not tried Carista on my 2021 PP. I suspect they will not give me another free 30days trial. That means a paid subscription for the app, $9.99/mo or $19.99/3mo or $49.99/12mo. Since I don't really mind the sounds of VPNS nor the most hated Reverse beep, I really don't see the reason to spend the money. But as stated above, I don't think it is customizable anymore on 2021 PP.