Is the Toyota Prius too Quiet?

[Merkava_4]

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/car...Hybrids-Louder/

Quote:
The system puts a small speaker near each front wheel of a hybrid and emits the sound of an internal combustion engine to warn pedestrians.


Quote:
So, in a few years, many of the vehicles on U.S. roads could well be electric or hybrid cars featuring speakers that make them sound like the old gas guzzlers they replaced.


This has got to be the dumbest thing I've ever heard of.

 

[Pablo]

Really stupid IMHO.

 

[Turk]

Put Headers on 'em.

 

[Papa Bear]

Most of the Harleys around here run straight pipes and they tell our gov't. officials that it is safer that way...so people can hear them and be aware that they are there.

Yeah, right, like the roads are strewn with wrecked Gold Wings and BMWs because they are so quiet.

Another example of folks peeing down our backs and trying to tell us it's raining.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
Most of the Harleys around here run straight pipes and they tell our gov't. officials that it is safer that way...so people can hear them and be aware that they are there.

and the noise shoots to the rear, when the big problem is people cutting out of side streets without really looking, in front of 'em...

 

[sciphi]

I've never had a problem hearing one. There's still tire noise just like any other car. I've even heard them over ICE noise when they're going all-electric through parking lots.

Put on an aftermarket muffler, headers (do they have an integrated cat or not?) and an intake. You'll definitely hear it then.

 

[moribundman]

Quote:
The system puts a small speaker near each front wheel of a hybrid and emits the sound of an internal combustion engine to warn pedestrians.


Quote:
So, in a few years, many of the vehicles on U.S. roads could well be electric or hybrid cars featuring speakers that make them sound like the old gas guzzlers they replaced.


My chainless bicycle is dead quiet on any smooth surface, and when I pass a cat, dog, raccoon, skunk or human, they often show signs of surprise, which include minor coronary events, jumping into the air, or making a mad dash in a random direction. Should I pin an ace of spades to the fork?

Smart is currently considering adding a noise generator for safety reasons to the Smart ForTwo ED (Electric Drive) in Europe.

 

[oilyriser]

I think this has more to do with the aging baby boomers who spent too much time in noisy clubs, as kids, and they have lost their hearing.

 

[Turk]

Huh?

 

[Footpounds]

Maybe these Prius owners could put some Mobil 1 in the engine. I've read more than one post here claiming that Mobil 1 makes their engine too noisy (whatever that means).

 

[Tempest]

Can I get one that sounds like one of those obnoxious 4" mufflers on a civic?

 

[addyguy]

I think they should put a wind-up fall-out siren on them. The siren would be driven by the wheels as they turn. Perfect!

 

[Steve S]

put in a subwoffer.

 

[artificialist]

I'd make them play soundclips from the South Park episode "Smug alert."

 

[Shannow]

As previously stated, the Prius makes plenty enough noise for you not to step out on front of it, even electric mode.

 

[oilyriser]

It has enough bells and whistles...

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
As previously stated, the Prius makes plenty enough noise for you not to step out on front of it, even electric mode.


I'd say that depends on the ambient noise level, which could be super low or crazy loud.

 

[ls1mike]

I would put my LS1 in it, you can here me coming for at least a couple of blocks...It would most likely move out pretty good then too!

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I would put my LS1 in it, you can here me coming for at least a couple of blocks...It would most likely move out pretty good then too!


whats funny is that is technically legal in CA as hybrids are exempt from smog.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I would put my LS1 in it, you can here me coming for at least a couple of blocks...It would most likely move out pretty good then too!


whats funny is that is technically legal in CA as hybrids are exempt from smog.

Really? Hmmm, that sure would [censored] the Prius crowd off.
Plus a no emissions LSX. Very yummy!