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Disabling the prius prime noise maker.

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by I'mJp, Feb 19, 2017.

  1. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I agree with you. We are approaching 34 too.
    The guys here have confused being hard of hearing & selective hearing.
    I am hard of hearing with tinnitus (hear noises) and my wife is soft spoken. I find it a challenge to be sure I hear her & hear her correctly.
    Selective hearing is good. Being hard of hearing, especially when the spouse has their own physical issues, can be a real obstacle.
     
  2. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    I'm curious, when do you hear the noise? Maybe something's wrong with either the noisemaker, or the insulation on your car, so it's louder than it should be, or it plays more than it should?

    I know I've had more than one person say I snuck up on them in a parking lot because they hadn't heard anything at all, so if I weren't watching for them, they could easily walk out in front of my car... (2010 Prius)
     
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    According to this posting, Toyota made it standard in 2012, so your 2010 does not have it.
    Toyota Explains, Demonstrates Noisemaker coming standard in all 2012 Prius models | PriusChat
     
  4. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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  5. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    what?????:confused:
     
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I'm amazed my wife still likes me.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  7. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    My comment was both a question to the guy that the noise bothers, and a comment as to why having the noise is a good thing.
     
  8. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    TY
     
  9. DickPhillips

    DickPhillips Member

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    Maybe they should hook that system up to a beeper like trucks use while backing up or to honk the horn every second? Then we could drive through parking lots and always be noticed. I read here that all Prius' from 2012 on have this device. I've never noticed it on my 2013 Prius C so I doubt that it will bother me on my Prime that is due to arrive for me next week. I won't be attempting to disable it.
     
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  10. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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    This is one case where the marketing people should have had a conversation with the engineers. Obviously, this is an important safety feature, but something which annoys a few owners.

    Why not make the noise programmable, like the ring-tone on a cellphone? I'm sure there are Prime owners who would find occasions when they'd like to have their car sound like a Ferrari or a Harley. Or simulate the sound of air brakes on an 18-wheeler descending a steep grade. The possibilities are virtually endless.

    Vrrrroooom! Vrrrroooom!
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Haven't posted this in a while:

     
  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    For when it is required, the US government has specified differing frequency mixtures depending on vehicle speed.
     
  13. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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    Well... maybe the sports car sound would have to be something in addition to the mandated sound, not in place of it. :)

    Now I've discovered there is a separate discussion thread which makes many of the same observations: Disable the grindy speakery thingy? | PriusChat

    And just when I thought I'd come up with a new idea.
     
  14. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    That's a great idea! While I don't mind the sound, it would be fun to pull up in front of someone with the growl of a V8 mustang coming from my Prius.
     
  15. E-GINO

    E-GINO Active Member

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    In Italy we have a saying, which I will try to translate here: whom have bread, have no teeth.. whom have teeth, have no bread :)
    In my country the sound device is not required by law, hence it is not installed on hybrid cars, nor in the plugin hybrids or even in EV vehicles.
    But as I felt it missing on my former Gen 3 Prius, and on my Lexus Rx 450h, I feel it even more missing on my '17 Prius PHV.
    Pedestrians are all the time distracted by smartphones or ear plugs or they own thoughs and if you use your horn to warn them they look at you very resentful, and sometimes use bad words and maybe hit your car with whathever they have in their hands because you awaked them fromt they open eyes dreams... I am not exaggerating, really. Lucky you that have those sound making devices...
     
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  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    It has been proven in countries that require those sound devices that they did not have much impact on reducing accidents or fatalities.
     
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  17. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Perhaps a squirt gun instead of a noise maker? :D :LOL:
     
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  18. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Well, if it saved a life, if it alerted someone to move slightly, and get hit less, it works.
    Europe adopted raised hoods across the spectrum, to many pedestrians were getting hurt by low hoods, they were raised, less people were hurt.(gravity, less downward movement fewer concussions)
    I see a market for a certain frequency noise diminishing device, hard wired into the vehicle, and it’s market will be at least one Prius chat member.
    I enjoy mine, and I enjoy that people that hear it don’t get shocked by my driving by, they hear me.

    So, if it bothers you, download pandora to your phone, open it, punch in a station, I suggest “The Notorious BIG” turn the volume to 9, not loud at all, but loud enough to drown out below 40db noises being generated by your car for the safety of others, repeat as necessary.
     
  19. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    You could have a noise maker that had the opposite effect, pedestrians stop looking where there going, noticing whats next to them, general situational awareness.

    Have a noise maker that sounded like a smartphone ringer.
     
  20. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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