Noisy Stealth mode

Godiva has posted a "How To" on connecting a buzzer which can be heard outside when backing up. J.C. Whitney, for example, sells a variety of types. One even says, in English or Spanish, "This car is backing up!" If you want it to operate when the Prius is going in either direction it might be better to install a switch.

 

Yeah, there exists a backup mod, unsure about a foward one.. personally I wouldn't do it for 2 reasons...

1) if pedestrians are going to hap hazardly walk into a street.. where cars are... then they deserve any damage they substain regardless if they "hear" a car or not. I mean come on, Mom & Dad taught you this one early on "Look both ways before crossing the street!"

2) I think cell phones are a much more larger reason for the "pedestrians don't pay attention" mentality, and I doubt anything other than a high dB horn could get them to look up from that imaginary place they all seem to be staring at while talking on a cell phone. So again, they deserve any pain that comes to them

Something you could possibly do, since you do live in San Diego, just crack the windows a bit and have the radio playing, that should be more than sufficient as far as a warning.

 

you could have ringtones like from "The Fast and Furious" B)

MIkeSF, I thought about that too, and the last time, just before the person hit my car, I realized that I'd still probably be sued, so I blew the horn, scared the beejeebies out of them, but I was sitting stark still, what could I do? I could see teenagers making a game out of it 10 points if they ____ (you fill in the blank)

I have a feeling that like the pedestrian cross walk law the car is still at fault until the pedestrian is completely out of the road, assuming an uncontrolled intersection not jaywalking, eh?

b

 

I'm thinking of mounting a cool bicycle horn on it somewhere.....you know that old fashion double honking sound!?

 

My selection would be something someone suggested a while ago; the sound of the Jetson's car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeSF @ May 22 2006, 10:00 AM) [snapback]259230[/snapback]</div>

Haha!! That reminds me, I almost ran over a pedestrian in a parking lot last night. Some girl came walking out from between two cars right into the isle as I was cruising in "stealth mode" in a parking lot and she didn't even bother to look until after she was in front of me and I made a quick stop and she didn't even bother to jump or move faster or anything at all even though she almost got run over all because she was talking on her cell phone. They had just built a new middle school in the neighborhood I used to live in and I would see kids walking home from school in the afternoon talking on their cell phones... They're just as bad if not worse than people driving and talking on a cell phone. I saw kids walk out into the street right in front of me because they didn't bother to look or pay any attention to traffic because they were talking on their cell phones. Crazy people never learn... If I didn't want to scratch my new Prius I would feel like running them down...

 

I have experienced the opposite happening in parking lots around here. Most drivers speed through lots -- regardless of a pedestrian having the right of way, i.e. in a crosswalk. I find it makes most pedestrians more aware of cars in parking lots.

At my gym, the finally installed speed bumps in the parking lot. I witnessed quite a few near-misses prior to the speed bumps being added.

Of course, every now and then, I get a "surprised" look from someone who noticed my car is directly behind them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ May 22 2006, 02:46 PM) [snapback]259397[/snapback]</div>

I prefer to have the opening sound of Jaws. Maybe add a little voice saying "land shark". Yeah that;s the ticket. I could even paint the car two-toned to look more shark like.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Begreen @ May 23 2006, 12:57 PM) [snapback]259884[/snapback]</div>

If I had one of those, it would be KITT saying 'Excuse me....' :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Begreen @ May 23 2006, 01:57 PM) [snapback]259884[/snapback]</div>

Don't forget your "shark fin" antenna...

 

Take a Coke can, drill a hole through it. Attach shoestring to can and undercarriage. Adjust length such that it only makes slight contact with the ground. At higher speeds, it should fly up and out of the way for the most part.

Downside: people are going to think your car is broken when you're clinking through the parking lot.

Upside: It may not have configurable sounds, but you can "skin" it to your desire. Available in A&W, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, and other cool colors.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wrprice @ May 23 2006, 10:17 PM) [snapback]260142[/snapback]</div>

I found an avatar that would better suit you for your ideas...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e...d_the_Brain.jpg

Haha! Sounds like an idea Pinky would come up with.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(San Diego Steve @ May 23 2006, 06:55 PM) [snapback]260003[/snapback]</div>

Go record a train and play that back. If you are in a car park it is sure to attract attention.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ilusnforc @ May 24 2006, 12:56 AM) [snapback]260209[/snapback]</div>

Nah... I prefer Danger Mouse. Saving the world instead of taking it over... and his car can FLY.

Yeah, but my hairbrain ideas work.

 

The A/C in the Prius is plenty loud, it sounds really strange too.. Strange enough so that most people don't ignore it.
Not as loud as some engines I've heard, but loud enough to be audible from outside the car.

It's also free, and dosen't require any hardware mods to the car..

Just punch the A/C auto button. Now I only wish it defaulted back to previous state when you turn off A/C auto, and not into the 'off' state...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(San Diego Steve @ May 22 2006, 10:46 AM) [snapback]259196[/snapback]</div>

Happens to me all the time when driving through the park...Maybe we need to hook up a speaker, like th ice cream man..and play a jingle. Have a great week,

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wrprice @ May 24 2006, 11:54 PM) [snapback]260783[/snapback]</div>

So, what are we going to do today, Brain?