Loud high pitched noise .

[WOODWAYS6]

This sounded like discs rubbing .But i was told by Toyota its used at slow speed to warn pedestrians and is louder in reverse.I find it annoying as it sounds as though there is a fault with the car.I clean forgot to ask if it can be turned off .Does anyone know if it can be ??? Im not the best with navigating the tech.

[Bper]

Hi Nigel The sound you're describing is likely the pedestrian warning system, which is designed to alert pedestrians to the presence of the vehicle, especially at low speeds. While it can't be turned off completely for safety reasons, some vehicles allow you to adjust the volume or tone of the sound through the settings menu. You can try to adjust the pedestrian warning system sound on your Prius, typically, you need to access the vehicle settings through the multimedia display. Start by turning on your vehicle and ensuring the multimedia display is active. Navigate to the settings menu using the touchscreen or physical controls on the display. Look for an option related to vehicle settings, sound settings, or safety settings. Within these settings, there may be an option specifically for adjusting the volume or tone of the pedestrian warning system sound. Select the option and adjust the settings according to your preference. If you're having trouble finding the specific settings, have a look in your vehicle's owner's manual or give your local Toyota dealership a ring. Hope this helps.

[FROSTYBALLS]

It is the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System which became mandatory on new cars from July 2022. Cannot be turned off. See:

 

[WOODWAYS6]

21 hours ago, Bper said:

Hi Nigel The sound you're describing is likely the pedestrian warning system, which is designed to alert pedestrians to the presence of the vehicle, especially at low speeds. While it can't be turned off completely for safety reasons, some vehicles allow you to adjust the volume or tone of the sound through the settings menu. You can try to adjust the pedestrian warning system sound on your Prius, typically, you need to access the vehicle settings through the multimedia display. Start by turning on your vehicle and ensuring the multimedia display is active. Navigate to the settings menu using the touchscreen or physical controls on the display. Look for an option related to vehicle settings, sound settings, or safety settings. Within these settings, there may be an option specifically for adjusting the volume or tone of the pedestrian warning system sound. Select the option and adjust the settings according to your preference. If you're having trouble finding the specific settings, have a look in your vehicle's owner's manual or give your local Toyota dealership a ring. Hope this helps.

Great thank you for that .I will try.A struggle for a low tech old guy 😄

[WOODWAYS6]

On 4/7/2024 at 11:55 AM, Bper said:

Hi Nigel The sound you're describing is likely the pedestrian warning system, which is designed to alert pedestrians to the presence of the vehicle, especially at low speeds. While it can't be turned off completely for safety reasons, some vehicles allow you to adjust the volume or tone of the sound through the settings menu. You can try to adjust the pedestrian warning system sound on your Prius, typically, you need to access the vehicle settings through the multimedia display. Start by turning on your vehicle and ensuring the multimedia display is active. Navigate to the settings menu using the touchscreen or physical controls on the display. Look for an option related to vehicle settings, sound settings, or safety settings. Within these settings, there may be an option specifically for adjusting the volume or tone of the pedestrian warning system sound. Select the option and adjust the settings according to your preference. If you're having trouble finding the specific settings, have a look in your vehicle's owner's manual or give your local Toyota dealership a ring. Hope this helps.

Hi in the handbook it calls the system Vehicle Proximity Notification System.But no info on any possible settings.I did look on the main screen under Vehicle but no joy.Does Toyota UK have a tech help line ? Or I will just have to wait till my next visit.

[Bper]

Hi Nigel, you could wait for your next service or phone your local Toyota dealer and ask them of call Toyota UK 0344 701 6202. you need to confirm this number as i got this online. Hope this helps

[Roy124]

Everytime I see thread titles such as this I think of my wife.

[WOODWAYS6]

1 hour ago, Bper said:

Hi Nigel, you could wait for your next service or phone your local Toyota dealer and ask them of call Toyota UK 0344 701 6202. you need to confirm this number as i got this online. Hope this helps

Thank you will give it a try.!

[Bper]

1 hour ago, Roy124 said:

Everytime I see thread titles such as this I think of my wife.

The thing is Roy would you show her this post 😂

[Roy124]

2 minutes ago, Bper said:

The thing is Roy would you show her this post 😂

Our local Emergencies Room closes at 6.

[Harters]

As @FROSTYBALLS says this is a mandatory safety item that cannot be turned off. 

I have heard of some people disabling them by putting a resistor in the circuit to stop the car giving an error, but you then open up yourself to a whole lot of trouble with your insurance company if you were to cause injury to a pedestrian because they didn’t hear you coming. 

I have just come from 7 years driving a non AVAS equipped 2017 Prius which I loved because of the lack of noise, to a new NX which has the sounder, but I soon got used to it. The noise stops above 15mph and only runs when the ICE is off. 

[Roy124]

And the car BRAKES if it thinks you will hit someone.

I can understand the principle and even considered fitting a beeper many years ago, but in those days you didn't have today's safety features. 

PS. One neighbour has such an alarm.   At first you have no clue as to where it is.  I guess it makes you look around and you might spot the reversing light.

Imagine several cars in a car park all humming different tunes.

[Harters]

You hear electric/hybrids much more than you do modern petrol cars now, but they don’t require a sounder for their virtually inaudible engines at low speed. 

[Cyker]

I know what you mean, my Mk2's engine was virtually inaudible at low speeds and rpm; Ironically due to engine manufacturers always trying to make engines quieter!

It's just box ticking more than any real attempt at safety; Even in my dakka-y diesel, I could drive right up to an oblivious phone zombie without them noticing I was there unless I revved the engine - The space ship sound from the hybrids has no chance.

I just wish you could customize the sound - I reckon it would work much better if you could make it a low idling thumping V8  

[Roy124]

3 hours ago, Cyker said:

Even in my dakka-y diesel, I could drive right up to an oblivious phone zombie without them noticing I was there unless I revved the engine .....

I just wish you could customize the sound - I reckon it would work much better if you could make it a low idling thumping V8  

I used to do that in my Merc.  No idea why they could not hear it.

We should use the Indian system.  As the speed drops the horn starts bipping and becomes a steady note when stopped.

 

[Cyker]

This is what the well-meaning people mandating all these increasingly intrusive safety systems do not understand - You can't fix stupid.  

I'm just worried it'll escalate - I have a trucker friend and he got a new one last year (or the year before?) and he hates it because every time he uses e.g. the indicators all he can hear until he turns them off is "CAUTION! VEHICLE TURNING LEFT!" and the same with turning right or reversing, and he reckons, like our AVAS, it makes no difference - cyclists still try and squeeze up the inside, pedestrians still walk behind etc.