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Gen4: Do you have the "Proximity Noisemaker?"

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Coast Cruiser, Apr 20, 2016.

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  1. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I've never heard it on my 2016 non-touring Three model. Even with all the windows down, and pedestrians walking right in front of my moving car. I don't think it exists on my Prius. Is this a feature that's only on Touring models? Have you ever heard it?

     
    #1 Coast Cruiser, Apr 20, 2016
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    They all have it so you're just not hearing it or it is not working properly. Hurry up and have it repaired under warranty, you know you want to have it working. ;)

    Below, this is off Toyota's website showing it is standard on all new Prius:

    [​IMG]
     
    #2 Paradox, Apr 20, 2016
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  3. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Thank you. In the video, it sounds pretty loud. My car is silent. And nobody in front of the car heard it. Where is the sensor located? I have no sensors on the bumper, like the touring models do.

    Let's hear from some other Gen4 owners.
     
    #3 Coast Cruiser, Apr 20, 2016
  4. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    To hear it :

    1. The car must be moving at low speed.

    2. The window must be down

    3. Can be amplified by driving next to reflection wall, the kind of wall that causes a rock that's stuck in the tread, make a clear click click ... click sound.

    If your not trying to listen for it, it's a sound that makes you think that your motor broke.

    If you unplug it, you'll get an error indication in the dash urging you to see the dealer.

    jp
     
    #4 I'mJp, Apr 20, 2016
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  5. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    I hear mine (Model 2 ECO). It sounds like something mechanical in the powertrain (but it isn't).
     
    #5 JohnF, Apr 20, 2016
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  6. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Thanks. I've run tests every way I can think of. With all windows down. Radio off. In a very quiet nature park, and in a parking structure. Using EV power.

    Nothing.

    How come the people who are right in front of my slowly moving car, don't hear anything?
    I drove right behind pedestrians walking; speed was about 5 mph. Nothing.
    And pedestrians crossing right in front of me, left to right. Nothing.
    And slowly pulling up, and passing non-walking pedestrians right beside the car. Nothing.

    I guess my Penelope is the quiet type. ;)
     
    #6 Coast Cruiser, Apr 20, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2016
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are no sensors, it's always on fro zero to 14 mph. it is not loud, and your engine really needs to be off to hear it. most of the time i can drive a few feet behind people walking thru a parking lot and they don't turn their heads. but is sounds like ambient noise and most people are oblivious.
     
    #7 bisco, Apr 20, 2016
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  8. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    Offer to sell in in trade for a good one plus cash.

    I would have bought it from you, but I've already mangled mine in a way to shut it up.

    jp
     
    #8 I'mJp, Apr 20, 2016
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  9. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Do your cars sound like the Prius v in the video?
     
    #9 Coast Cruiser, Apr 20, 2016
  10. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    Yes. Why not have someone drive your Prius slowly past you while you are standing on the curb?

    My 2011 Gen 3 made a similar sound. I thought it was just something in the HSD, sounded a bit like an electric motor.
     
    #10 JohnF, Apr 20, 2016
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  11. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Yes.
     
    #11 Paradox, Apr 20, 2016
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  12. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Hard to believe I can't hear that crazy sound! Maybe my Toyo tires have damaged my hearing... :LOL::rolleyes::D
     
    #12 Coast Cruiser, Apr 20, 2016
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  13. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    The time I always 100% noticed it was pulling out of a single car garage with the windows down and silence around me (pulling out in 'Drive' after backing in).
     
    #13 Paradox, Apr 20, 2016
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  14. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    In your 2011, it should have been just an actual electric motor whine, like my 2010. The VPNS wasn't added until 2012.
     
    #14 fuzzy1, Apr 20, 2016
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  15. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    Thanks, I didn't know that. Clever of Toyota to have that whine serve as an ad hoc VPNS.
     
    #15 JohnF, Apr 20, 2016
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  16. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Unfortunately, that ad hoc whine is high pitched, so age related hearing loss will eventually mute it. And large numbers of people have other hearing loss (machinery, loud music, etc.) that also renders them unable to detect it.

    The VPNS is a lower and broader band sound that most people should hear.
     
    #16 fuzzy1, Apr 20, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2016
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  17. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    My wife could not hear it at all. She would see me flip out, pull over pop the hood, listen, get back in, curse.
    She though I was loosing my marbles.
    I disabled the thing, of course she could not here it now... So it was me.

    jp
     
    #17 I'mJp, Apr 20, 2016
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  18. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    I wonder if that is available at all in EU Prius. I didn't see a mention for it anywhere. Does anybody know if the feature is available at all outside of JP/USA?
    Is it mentioned in the user's manual of the Gen4 USA version?
     
    #18 pakitt, Apr 20, 2016
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  19. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I do hear the "whine" sound from inside the car when starting out in drive. (the electric motor spooling up?) I enjoy that Star Trek sound.
     
    #19 Coast Cruiser, Apr 20, 2016
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, it is in the owners manual. page 1,573.:cool:
     
    #20 bisco, Apr 20, 2016
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