Yaris Hybrid 2020 TNGA - Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System

[CPN]

This concerning the system in the title and as described on Page 78 of the manual...

My wife and I first heard/noticed this today when moving slowing backwards and forwards in our driveway. (my wife first as I was still in the car) What a weird sound it is! How Toyota thought it was a good idea to simulate a sound that sounds more like rubbing/clanging brake pads is beyond me! No, I don't have a fault and yes, it definitely is emitted from the front of the vehicle (as described in the manual) but what a strange sound to pick on to "alert" pedestrians/people near the vehicle when it is moving at very slow speed under EV power only (no ICE running). Has anyone else heard/noticed it yet and thought that there was a fault with the vehicle? I'll be ringing CS at Toyota GB on Monday to give them some feedback that they may not want to hear about this particular "feature"!!

[FROSTYBALLS]

Compulsory on new electric/hybrid vehicles with new Type Approval from July 2019, and on all new electric/hybrid vehicles from July 2021.

Pinned topic in General Discussions.

[CPN]

Yes, I knew about the legislation Mike but I had yet to actually hear it with my own ears and I have to say that it is a VERY misleading sound in the case of our Yaris Hybrid. In fact my wife (when she heard it) banged on the window (I still had the radio on - probably why I've never heard it lol!) and told me to turn the radio off and listen as she thought there was something wrong with the car! After a few low speed back and forth manoeuvres on EV only (just got back from a 45 mile drive so the ICE and everything else was fully up to temperature), I realised what it was and it is such a strange kind of sound for them to choose? It's very difficult to describe but one way would be that it sounds like a string of tin cans tied to the back of the car bouncing on the tarmac would sound but heavily muffled as if they are in the distance! Really weird.

[Catlover]

Sounds like the noise would make pedestrians look to see what’s making it - job done.

[CPN]

13 minutes ago, Catlover said:

Sounds like the noise would make pedestrians look to see what’s making it - job done.

I get your point Joe but does it really need to sound like a faulty car?

[FROSTYBALLS]

Someone in, I think, the C-HR forum thought there was something wrong with their car when they heard it. 

[MikeSh]

It's the sound of electric sheep 😉

I had an Hyundai Kona Electric until recently. The artificial sound on that was quite strange. I believe the legislation requires certain frequencies at specified volumes to be present, but beyond/within that manufacturers can make it their own - like body styling.

[CPN]

Reminds me of my favourite tagline and famous book "Do Androids dream of electric sheep?" 🤣

[MikeSh]

14 minutes ago, CPN said:

Reminds me of my favourite tagline and famous book "Do Androids dream of electric sheep?" 🤣

Yeah, it would have worked better if Frosty hadn't got in just before I posted 😒

[CPN]

55 minutes ago, MikeSh said:

Yeah, it would have worked better if Frosty hadn't got in just before I posted 😒

Never mind. He has a habit of doing that 😉 but you were well intentioned! 😁

[flash22]

iirc one of the Kia hybrids/electrics makes a sound like a train pulling out of a station

American video but it sounds the same as the yaris

 

[Rosgoe]

I can’t see what’s wrong with a quick press on the horn as I do when behind pedestrians when in ev which is the purpose of the horn to let another road user know that you are there but I suppose if they cant use there indicators!! They won’t be able to use the horn.

[CPN]

On 5/15/2021 at 2:27 PM, flash22 said:

iirc one of the Kia hybrids/electrics makes a sound like a train pulling out of a station

American video but it sounds the same as the yaris

 

Indeed it does!