[Kerbe]

My Tesla-driving friends are all a-twitter (and a-messenger and a-facebook) about the release of the AVAS sounds Teslas will use from this point on: The forward sound is white noise and the reverse sound is a synthesized sound effect - both change with the speed of the vehicle.

I've read that some mfrs use two different sounds while others use only one sound - and that some change pitch according to speed while others do not.

I went looking for a recording of Clarity's AVAS sound and couldn't find one - so I hopped into the car, held my phone out the window and backed out of the garage. Then I pulled back in again.

Same sound both directions - but I have no idea if it changes with velocity: Can anyone confirm either way?

BTW - I've loaded the MP3 file to my YouTube page - feel free to give it a listen!

 

[BJRuns55]

I've noticed mine has a sort chiming tinkle sound when I pull out of the garage and was wondering if I was hearing things. Very similar to what you recorded. I had a friend stand by it while backing out of a parking space and he heard nothing. Mine's a 2019 purchased in August. Another friend said something about it sounding like a spaceship when I pulled up.

 

[Kerbe]

I've noticed mine has a sort chiming tinkle sound when I pull out of the garage and was wondering if I was hearing things. Very similar to what you recorded. I had a friend stand by it while backing out of a parking space and he heard nothing. Mine's a 2019 purchased in August. Another friend said something about it sounding like a spaceship when I pulled up.

The volume of the AVAS is VERY low - much more quiet than that of the similar-sounding Chevy Volt - and, if the AC is running, it can't be heard at all! I don't know how the visually-impaired will be able to hear it in traffic...

 

[2002]

The volume of the AVAS is VERY low - much more quiet than that of the similar-sounding Chevy Volt - and, if the AC is running, it can't be heard at all! I don't know how the visually-impaired will be able to hear it in traffic...

I definitely hear it pulling into my garage as the sound reflects off of the walls, even with the windows up and AC on. The speakers they use are directed outwards so when outdoors you aren't likely to hear it from inside the car. Maybe in the Volt the speaker placement was such that some of the sound reflected inwards, or maybe it was also a bit louder in the Volt, although there is a minimum sound level that is required by the regulation.

The regulation also states that the sound is only required below 18.6 mph, so it's really about parking lots and maybe the streets inside an apartment complex, etc. So there shouldn't be that much traffic noise although the regulation does mandate a sound that can be heard over background noise. I'm sure they came up with a determination of what constitutes normal background noise in the environment that it's intended to operate in.

 

[Clarification]

I've noticed mine has a sort chiming tinkle sound when I pull out of the garage and was wondering if I was hearing things. Very similar to what you recorded. I had a friend stand by it while backing out of a parking space and he heard nothing. Mine's a 2019 purchased in August. Another friend said something about it sounding like a spaceship when I pulled up.

Do you back out? If so that sound is the system telling you that the back up cam is operating. It is meant to remind you to use the view on the screen.

I definitely hear it pulling into my garage as the sound reflects off of the walls, even with the windows up and AC on. The speakers they use are directed outwards so when outdoors you aren't likely to hear it from inside the car. Maybe in the Volt the speaker placement was such that some of the sound reflected inwards, or maybe it was also a bit louder in the Volt, although there is a minimum sound level that is required by the regulation.

The regulation also states that the sound is only required below 18.6 mph, so it's really about parking lots and maybe the streets inside an apartment complex, etc. So there shouldn't be that much traffic noise although the regulation does mandate a sound that can be heard over background noise. I'm sure they came up with a determination of what constitutes normal background noise in the environment that it's intended to operate in.

Last week we had the house windows open and my wife went to the store. I could hear the car humming out in the street as she backed out and drove off.

 

[2002]

Last week we had the house windows open and my wife went to the store. I could hear the car humming out in the street as she backed out and drove off.

Since you are replying to my post I can't really tell if you providing evidence supporting something that I said or if you are just making a general comment that you heard the sound from outside the car. Either is fine I just didn't quite catch the connection.

 

[Clarification]

Sorry for the late reply. Did you add the back up sensors? Ours go off when we back out of the garage because it senses the garage walls and the Sorento next to it. Once the back of the car clears the garage it stops. And we do hear a sound when the backup cam is engaged.

The in the street comment was a response to the other post about the spaceship sound when driving slow.

As an aside it is a way to determine that the brake hold is engaged. I use brake hold all the time and have noticed that when I have the windows down I can hear the sound stop when the hold light comes on.

 

[My PHEV]

I have a "new" 2020 dealer demo (less than 500 miles for me) and my girlfriend asked today "What is that noise your car is making?" as I backed out of her carport. It is much louder in reverse than in drive. I replied "Much different than my former 2010 Shelby, huh". She laughed and said "It's much quieter and quite tranquil in comparison!"...