Blind people win with the Gen4...

I can BARELY ever hear mine. So it doesn't bother me. But maybe that means pedestrians can't hear it either. I can be right behind them, and they never look around, or move.

 

i think someone put a resistor or some such in it's place, and turned out they were smarter than the car.

 

I assume that's why the OP took his out. Too loud?

 

Count me among those that barely ever heard the Vehicle Proximity Notification system.

To even know it was working, I had to roll down my windows, while going through a drive through and then listen very carefully as a I crept forward.
Seriously, when I first got my Prius, I had to test this, because I was afraid mine was broken.

Hey, it can warn people around you.
Can't imagine why anyone would work so hard to remove it.

 

Same with me. Only time I hear it, is when going thru a drive-thru place, up against the building.

It sounds like "THEM!"

(The big giant ants in the 1950's movie.)

 

Hey! That was me. Did you forget I'm deaf as well as daft?

Some old review I watched some time ago suggested that the noise increases with speed. Said it sounded a bit like a spaceship(?) Or those old battery powered milk floats. Er, that means milk trucks we used to have in UK.

 

I think the noise maker shuts off above some threshold speeds; it's basically for parking lots and similar. I don't have it on 2010, resort to sticking my head out and saying excuse me, lol.

 

'dear will as daft', this is why i'm a priuschat member!

 

Another difference with models around across the world - the only sound here is tyre sound.

 

It's definitely not just blind people btw: anybody walking ahead of the car, say in a parking lot, can be unaware of your approach. All in all I think the warning's worthwhile, just there's a balancing act they kinda lost, regarding giving it enough volume without making it a total nuisance.

 

Myself, I actually used Techstream to turn up the volume, and have it make noise whenever the car is in gear, not just in motion.

 

Oh, poop! Thanks for the heads up Bisco, I've edited my autocorrect blooper.

 

dang, i thought it was a local saying.

 

It might still be that. While I line here, my origins are in the Midlands of England

 

I do that too. Nobody hears me coming. Or, I will politely toot the horn a couple times… I like to get some use out of those fancy new Buick horns! It me two hours to install them, and several cuts on my hands.

 

Yeah I'm reluctant to use the horn, it can invoke aggressive reactions. Or heart attacks, lol.Hey, an invention idea:

A dual-level horn, or adjustable somehow, so you can give low-key courtesy beeps.

 

I still reckon this sound would be great - just need some waterproof speakers installed, and an activation switch in the cabin:

And if that doesn't work, a Lamborghini at full roar?

 

I've never heard it on the UK model, I find a prolonged blast of the horn makes them jump out of their skin.