Reverse Beeping

Alnilam · 07-15-2006, 02:50 PM

Over my way-too-long lifespan, I can't remember the number of times I've read stories about death and injury, usually to a child unseen by the driver, in which the catch-phrase was, "I didn't know I was in reverse," or, equally as dangerous, "I thought I was in reverse."

In large airplanes, there are a myriad of bells, whistles or flashing lights to remind the pilot that something is going on that might have escaped her/his attention. I remember a particularly spectacular DC-9 crash in Detroit years ago where the pilots had disabled a warning system because it irritated them, forgot about it, and then tried to take off with their flaps up. Nobody walked away from that one. A great factor in a pilot making it all the way to retirement is having the humility to admit that anybody can make mistakes and doing everything possible to discover them.

Warning systems aren't an insult to one's intelligence, just friendly reminders. The Prius, with a little shift lever always spring loaded to the same position, is different from other cars and we thus lose one common input as to what gear we are in, our right hand on the shifter. (American version.) The little beeper makes up for this new technology. In the month I've had this car, I've already had a time or two when I've misjudged what gear I was in. I know I should always look but we don't always do what we should. Thus, the warning.

Just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. Unless somebody is planning on going to work in reverse, the few seconds of the beep should prove no great handicap. It might save a little kid someday and that is worth it to me.

richard schumacher · 07-15-2006, 04:10 PM

Complete agreement.

aaf709 · 07-15-2006, 04:20 PM

I've turned mine off (after a year of driving), but my next major mod is to install a reverse sensor (I have a 2005 and therefore no camera). That'll beep, but the rate will change according to distance.

sl7vk · 07-15-2006, 04:20 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jul 15 2006, 04:10 PM) [snapback]286865[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Complete agreement.
[/b]

+1. I don't mind the beeper at all. Who backs up for more then 30 seconds anyways?

stanleyjohn · 07-15-2006, 04:26 PM

I dont mind the beeper also.Just last week when a long freight train kept me waiting!i shut off the car and by mistake went into reverse when i restarted.That beeper saved me from hitting the car behind me.

aaf709 · 07-15-2006, 04:27 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sl7vk @ Jul 15 2006, 01:20 PM) [snapback]286873[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

+1. I don't mind the beeper at all. Who backs up for more then 30 seconds anyways?
[/b]

I didn't mind it either. I just got tired of the complaints from my wife and passengers every time I backed up.

tbstout2 · 07-15-2006, 05:03 PM

I had mine off for the first year - and then the car did something that the beeper designed to prevent!

Read my tale of woe!

Rev Beep!

Three60guy · 07-15-2006, 05:47 PM

I turned off my reverse beep. But I am now looking at these:

Reverse Beep alarms

I am thinking of getting the one that speaks "This car is backing up"

It was mentioned by Efusco in a referenced link and I came across the link. What do you guys think of them? Do you think it should beep outside or should it talk and say it is backing up?

pirateprius · 07-15-2006, 05:57 PM

The reverse beep doesn't bother me since it isn't on all that long at a time. It is a good reminder in the event I should have a senior moment. Wouldn't mind an outside noise for pedestrians who are not paying attention as long as it wasn't too loud or obnoxious.

Alnilam · 07-15-2006, 06:29 PM

Funny, I thought with all the energy spent on this forum devoted to silencing the beeper I would catch a lot of flame for this post. Things like, "You shouldn't be driving if you don't even know what gear you are in," or "I don't need no stinking beeper to tell me what's up." Yet the responses here are virtually 100% in favor of leaving it on. That's good news.

Also, I was thinking that if I were ever in an accident where this might have helped, I'd look pretty stupid explaining to a judge how I had purposely disabled a system Toyota put in to prevent it.

07-15-2006, 02:50 PM	#1
Alnilam The One in the Middle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 760 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Over my way-too-long lifespan, I can't remember the number of times I've read stories about death and injury, usually to a child unseen by the driver, in which the catch-phrase was, "I didn't know I was in reverse," or, equally as dangerous, "I thought I was in reverse." In large airplanes, there are a myriad of bells, whistles or flashing lights to remind the pilot that something is going on that might have escaped her/his attention. I remember a particularly spectacular DC-9 crash in Detroit years ago where the pilots had disabled a warning system because it irritated them, forgot about it, and then tried to take off with their flaps up. Nobody walked away from that one. A great factor in a pilot making it all the way to retirement is having the humility to admit that anybody can make mistakes and doing everything possible to discover them. Warning systems aren't an insult to one's intelligence, just friendly reminders. The Prius, with a little shift lever always spring loaded to the same position, is different from other cars and we thus lose one common input as to what gear we are in, our right hand on the shifter. (American version.) The little beeper makes up for this new technology. In the month I've had this car, I've already had a time or two when I've misjudged what gear I was in. I know I should always look but we don't always do what we should. Thus, the warning. Just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. Unless somebody is planning on going to work in reverse, the few seconds of the beep should prove no great handicap. It might save a little kid someday and that is worth it to me. __________________ "Mars is essentially in the same orbit...Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe." Dan Quayle *W6TWA* Coastal 1 1/4" Hitch BT Brace Toyota XM Robin's MFD Shade Motion Bypass Switch Zaino Forever! Coastal EV Package ScanGuage II Beltronics Vector 985 Radar Detector

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07-15-2006, 04:10 PM	#2
richard schumacher shortbus driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 7,379 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 583 Thanked 758 Times in 306 Posts Friends: 0	Complete agreement.

07-15-2006, 04:20 PM	#3
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,840 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	I've turned mine off (after a year of driving), but my next major mod is to install a reverse sensor (I have a 2005 and therefore no camera). That'll beep, but the rate will change according to distance.

07-15-2006, 04:26 PM	#5
stanleyjohn Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Higganum,Ct Posts: 269 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I dont mind the beeper also.Just last week when a long freight train kept me waiting!i shut off the car and by mistake went into reverse when i restarted.That beeper saved me from hitting the car behind me.

07-15-2006, 05:03 PM	#7
tbstout2 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 157 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I had mine off for the first year - and then the car did something that the beeper designed to prevent! Read my tale of woe! Rev Beep!

07-15-2006, 05:47 PM	#8
Three60guy Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Racine, Wisconsin Posts: 767 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	I turned off my reverse beep. But I am now looking at these: Reverse Beep alarms I am thinking of getting the one that speaks "This car is backing up" It was mentioned by Efusco in a referenced link and I came across the link. What do you guys think of them? Do you think it should beep outside or should it talk and say it is backing up?

07-15-2006, 05:57 PM	#9
pirateprius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Eastern North Carolina, Home of the ECU Pirates Posts: 149 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The reverse beep doesn't bother me since it isn't on all that long at a time. It is a good reminder in the event I should have a senior moment. Wouldn't mind an outside noise for pedestrians who are not paying attention as long as it wasn't too loud or obnoxious.

07-15-2006, 06:29 PM	#10
Alnilam The One in the Middle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 760 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Funny, I thought with all the energy spent on this forum devoted to silencing the beeper I would catch a lot of flame for this post. Things like, "You shouldn't be driving if you don't even know what gear you are in," or "I don't need no stinking beeper to tell me what's up." Yet the responses here are virtually 100% in favor of leaving it on. That's good news. Also, I was thinking that if I were ever in an accident where this might have helped, I'd look pretty stupid explaining to a judge how I had purposely disabled a system Toyota put in to prevent it.