2012 Prius Noisemaker

Last I checked, the car has a functioning horn. I also believe that I read that to date, no one has been hit because of the lack of noise. The only useful thing they could do is install a reverse beeper that can be heard outside the car.

 

I prefer a backup camera to an outside beeper, there is to much man made noise in the world already. I would be pleased if the manufacturers would include a good backup camera as standard equipment, instead of only offering it as a part of an overpriced option package.

 

Cannot speak for the Leaf, but can for the Volt. On our 2012 there is a button at the end of the turn signal stalk that sets off a fast pulse type horn. It is only manually activated as far as I can tell as the car makes no noise what so ever unless I press the button.. I will do a video and upload it when I get home.

 

I know my 2011 is nearly silent in EV mode. Last Sunday, I pulled into my in-laws driveway and parked beside the deck where my mother-in-law was standing with her back to me. She went into the house and didn't even know I had arrived until I walked in the door.

 

Actually, we don't know whether "Toyota" thinks it's a good idea or not. It already existed (with an off button) in Japan. And if you listen to the introductory video, it is presented very much that Toyota worked in conjunction with different entities in the creation of this device. They are very much presenting it as they think it is a good idea.

Given recent events, (floormats, brakes, recalls,) I think Toyota needs to lean towards being as safe as possible. Even though I don't think it has happened, all it would take would be 1 incindent of a Prius hitting someone who claimed they were struck because they didn't hear the approaching vehicle for a wave of negative publicity to be released. Toyota is probably just being pre-emptive, if laws are coming...might as well start building them with the device now..ahead of the coming legislation.

I'm very torn. I've supported the idea of a noisemaker, and I actually think their are a lot of situations where they could be helpful. BUT...I've always liked the idea of an off switch.

Since Toyota promoted the original introduction of the EV mode, as a mode useful for leaving or returning quietly in the early morning or late night...suprises me that before a governmental mandate..Toyota wouldn't offer a off switch...

 

Look on the bright side, maybe your Mother-In-Law really just doesn't like you....

 

^^
More likely she's just getting hard-of-hearing at seventy-mumble.

 

A friend has the Leaf, and demonstrated the warning system for me. Not particularly loud or obnoxious, IMHO. Going solely by the video, the Prius sounds much louder and is annoying. As I mentioned in another post, I'm going to warn a visually impaired gentleman who lives in my neighborhood about the noise. I think it would scare him and his dog the first time they heard it.

 

I think the bigger problems are with sighted pedestrians. When I had my diesel, they were still walking out in front of me, oblivious of all around them.

 

a lode factory radio that's loud most of the tome that's more than enough whats next car tones ?

 

I posted my thoughts on this (and experiences at Green Drive Expo where the '12 PiP, v and '12 HyCam were available for test drives) at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...8122-prius-vs-camry-hybrid-2.html#post1393497. No need to repeat it all. The OP's already seen that post.

Since I remember someone saying that that VPNS sounded like the electric AC compressor (and after rewatching Toyota's video), I remember hearing what I thought was the electric AC compressor on some of the vehicles available for test drive. Perhaps I was hearing VPNS and/or the compressor.

As Roadburner440 pointed out about the Volt, it doesn't have any sort of automatic continual pedestrian noisemaker. As I posted at http://priuschat.com/forums/chevrol...tober-thru-november-2010-a-2.html#post1194801, the demo Volts I drive in October 2010:

If it becomes/really is mandated (I don't follow the legislation), I'd imagine Chevy will have to add one, at some point.

 

Your statement sounds as if Prius or Hybrids in general are killing thousands each year.......give me a break !!!!!!!

Where I come from a train could be coming down the road......and they will still use the middle of the road.......why.....because they get away with it.......

 

Before the pedestrian can hate it, he has to perceive it. Which is the whole point of the unit.

I also think that use of the term "noisemaker" is unfortunate, to say the least. The connotation is "I object to this noise". If the VPNS played a clip from Beethoven's 3rd Symphony, would you still object?

How about Dave Brubeck's "Take Five"?

 

Apparently the smiley with his tongue sticking out did not alert you that the comment preceding it is a joke.

 

go listen to a Prius v

For the adamant anti-noisemaker folks, now that the Prius v is out, you can now go listen to one at a dealer.

Someone else posted their experience at I've finally heard the VPNS. I already posted my experience w/them earlier at GDE (not even knowing that the test vehicles had them).

 

I really don't like the idea of mandating the noise makers. If they come as original equipment mounted as a safety issue and you then disable the safety device you will be exposed to civil liability if you do hit someone.
On the other hand, my two other vehicles are a Dodge Ram with loud after market pipes and a Harley Davidson with stock (Still loud) pipes. These two vehicles never have a problem with people walking out in front of them. The Prius, which gets 90% of my drive time, can have issues in parking lots and people stepping off curbs. Not often, but the issue is there.
I hate the sound the picked, but I've not heard it in person. At first I called it a deal breaker for when I trade in 2013 but I'll have to hear it in person before I go that far.

 

it has an 'off' button, excellent!!!

 

I raise Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppies and I feel a noise maker is a necessary evil to let the blind pedestrians and their dogs hear approaching vehicles
I just bought a 2011 and am interested to know if a retrofit will be available
Also I feel the sound track should be selectable
I have some ring tones for a AA fuel dragster and a 1961 315 HP fuelly corvette going through the gears I would be glad to offer up!
Jeff

 

Wait. You like the reverse beep which is on the inside and barely audible from the outside!?