that PSD sound

john1701a · 05-13-2005, 07:48 PM

I've been listening to the way it starts up the engine for 4.5 years now. It has become so natural, I was totally shocked by what it did to me today...

After concluding an extremely intense week of guruing at work, where they quite literally said "do whatever it takes" to fix the server problem we were having, I got to leave for the weekend. Yippee! I was exhausted though, not really paying attention as I walked through the maze of parked vehicles.

Suddenly, I heard that sound!

What the?

There wasn't a Prius anywhere to be seen, but I my ears had clearly locked in on that sound of a PSD spin-starting an engine.

Well, being "Friday the 13th" and the fact that I was actually able perform a miracle (to my surprise) with that dang server problem, could that sound have come from a Escape-Hybrid? I hadn't ever seen one in the wild. So I starting scanning the lot. Sure enough, there it was. The "leaf on road" badge (formerly symbolizing FFV, now indicating Hybrid) on the brand new Ford SUV confirmed my suspicion. I really did hear a PSD.

And wouldn't you know it... After months of searching the roads without any success, I end up spotting another Escape-Hybrid just a half hour after seeing that first one.

Now I wonder when the heck my next "listening" will be? It adds a whole new dimension to the game of hybrid spotting.

Do you have a heightened awareness of that PSD sound yet?

jeromep · 05-13-2005, 08:11 PM

That is great. I'm glad to see that Ford is starting to get them into consumer hands. It has taken long enough. And the production number are just not where they should be, in my opinion.

But what I'm confused about is what the PSD sounds really is. I'm used to a lot of sounds on the Prius now, but no sure what exact sound you are referring to.

john1701a · 05-13-2005, 08:49 PM

Stand outside your Prius when it starts up the engine by itself.

That sound is unlike what a traditional makes.

jeromep · 05-13-2005, 08:56 PM

Oh yes, of course. It is that fast instant start sound.

Wolfman · 05-13-2005, 11:21 PM

Well, the Honda hybrids are the same way. My co worker started her insight while I was walking by, and it had the same silence to instantly running engine.

hdrygas · 05-14-2005, 01:17 AM

I tried to get a test drive in an Escape and was laughed at. Well maybey not literaly but certianly figuratavly. I would love to drive one. I may call my brother in law in Derborne and see if he could get me a "ride". The local dealer is not what I would call user friendly.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-14-2005, 02:50 AM

Try the Escape Hybrid. I was actually quite surprised. I'm impressed (shockers) with what Ford has done with the hybrid system and that certain gives them an edge. Sure, it's not as refined as the HSD but it's pretty damn good. Only thing is, why is the battery so damn big.

05-13-2005, 07:48 PM	#1
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,715 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	that PSD sound I've been listening to the way it starts up the engine for 4.5 years now. It has become so natural, I was totally shocked by what it did to me today... After concluding an extremely intense week of guruing at work, where they quite literally said "do whatever it takes" to fix the server problem we were having, I got to leave for the weekend. Yippee! I was exhausted though, not really paying attention as I walked through the maze of parked vehicles. Suddenly, I heard that sound! What the? There wasn't a Prius anywhere to be seen, but I my ears had clearly locked in on that sound of a PSD spin-starting an engine. Well, being "Friday the 13th" and the fact that I was actually able perform a miracle (to my surprise) with that dang server problem, could that sound have come from a Escape-Hybrid? I hadn't ever seen one in the wild. So I starting scanning the lot. Sure enough, there it was. The "leaf on road" badge (formerly symbolizing FFV, now indicating Hybrid) on the brand new Ford SUV confirmed my suspicion. I really did hear a PSD. And wouldn't you know it... After months of searching the roads without any success, I end up spotting another Escape-Hybrid just a half hour after seeing that first one. Now I wonder when the heck my next "listening" will be? It adds a whole new dimension to the game of hybrid spotting. Do you have a heightened awareness of that PSD sound yet? __________________ JOHN http://john1701a.com 47.9 MPG average @ 108,544 miles

05-13-2005, 08:11 PM	#2
jeromep Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Eastern Washington State Posts: 821 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: that PSD sound That is great. I'm glad to see that Ford is starting to get them into consumer hands. It has taken long enough. And the production number are just not where they should be, in my opinion. But what I'm confused about is what the PSD sounds really is. I'm used to a lot of sounds on the Prius now, but no sure what exact sound you are referring to.

05-13-2005, 08:56 PM	#4
jeromep Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Eastern Washington State Posts: 821 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: that PSD sound Oh yes, of course. It is that fast instant start sound.

05-14-2005, 01:17 AM	#6
hdrygas Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Olympia Wa Posts: 3,650 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: that PSD sound I tried to get a test drive in an Escape and was laughed at. Well maybey not literaly but certianly figuratavly. I would love to drive one. I may call my brother in law in Derborne and see if he could get me a "ride". The local dealer is not what I would call user friendly.

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05-13-2005, 08:49 PM	#3
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,715 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Stand outside your Prius when it starts up the engine by itself. That sound is unlike what a traditional makes.

05-13-2005, 11:21 PM	#5
Wolfman Moderator (on leave) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paradise, TX Posts: 1,205 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well, the Honda hybrids are the same way. My co worker started her insight while I was walking by, and it had the same silence to instantly running engine.

05-14-2005, 02:50 AM	#7
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,909 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Try the Escape Hybrid. I was actually quite surprised. I'm impressed (shockers) with what Ford has done with the hybrid system and that certain gives them an edge. Sure, it's not as refined as the HSD but it's pretty damn good. Only thing is, why is the battery so damn big.