Posted by Chas Gill on April 23, 2008, 8:24 am
>> Well, you've heard it now! The UK reverse bleep cannot be disabled,
>> except
>> by physically cutting a wire in the loom. The software switch is
>> disabled
>> in the UK version.
> This is the inside beep?
> Who really cares? How often are you in reverse?
> No doubt it's some weird EU regulation that's been twisted by lawyers
> into Toyota disabling the software switch.
Well, I DID say it was a niggle, so I don't care that much - but
nevertheless, if you have the aftermarket reversing proximity detectors
fitted that adds ANOTHER beep to the reversing process and the result is a
cacophony of beeps at different pitches and rates. I'm not sure why there
needs to be a reverse audible warning anyway - I usually know when I'm in
reverse because the car goes backwards! There might be a case for it if it
were OUTSIDE the car, so that pedestrians could hear it (as is required by
law for commercial vehicles). We all know that the Prius can be deathly
quiet in reverse and this lack of engine noise could mean that some
pedestrians - especially in car parks - might not notice the car moving
towards them. But it's INSIDE, so THAT can't be the reason - or can it?
Maybe the need for a compulsory reverse warning beep on SOME European
vehicles (i.e. trucks, with limited rear visibility) has been muddled in
translation by Toyota and the result is what we have here. Who knows?
Posted by Elmo P. Shagnasty on April 23, 2008, 10:03 am
> I'm not sure why there
> needs to be a reverse audible warning anyway - I usually know when I'm in
> reverse because the car goes backwards!
You'd be amazed at how many people don't know what gear they're in.
If Toyota had fitted a standard gearshift, instead of trying to be cute,
they wouldn't have this problem.
Also, consider that in reverse the engine doesn't have to run--another
cue that's missing.
Posted by Michelle Steiner on April 23, 2008, 8:47 pm
> I'm not sure why there needs to be a reverse audible warning anyway -
> I usually know when I'm in reverse because the car goes backwards!
If you're in reverse with your foot on the brake, you may not know
you're in reverse. Heck, with the ICE not running, you may not know
that if you take your foot off the brake, you'll start moving.
--
Support the troops: Bring them home ASAP.
Posted by Bill on April 24, 2008, 10:53 pm
That's strange that it is deleted from Euro cars. The minivans in the
USA dont have power folding mirrors like in the UK. (not that we
really need them, but Europe has them.)
>(Chas.Gill@gollum.btinternet.com) says...
><snip!>
>> [...] but we DO get a really
>> irritating reverse beeper that we can't disable without invalidating the
>> warranty [...]
>This is one of the most-asked questions on PriusChat.com. Unless the UK
>version has this option blocked-out (which I've never heard mentioned),
>you can turn it off an on, and it does not invalidate the warranty:
>http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledge-base-articles-discussion/21475-
>how-turn-off-reverse-beeping.html
>> [...] and a speedo which reads exactly 10% over at all speeds [...]
>Mine happens to read exactly right, as checked both against GPS units
>and timed measured miles.
>BTW, my MPG (2007) is in the mid 50's in mild/hot weather, and drops to
>about 50 during the coldest winter days. That's measured from actual
>fill-ups, though the MFD computer agrees with that pretty closely.
Posted by Michelle Steiner on April 22, 2008, 4:42 pm
> Fuel efficiency does not match advertised values for most people.
Fuel efficiency for most people matches or exceeds the new EPA method of
computing fuel efficiency.
> This depends on driving style, terrain and climate, among other
> things. I am continually disappointed when I see others posting MPGs
> in the high 40's and 50's when I only get low- to mid-40's despite
> being very conscious of driving style. I am in a flat area (central
> NJ), so that may be the biggest factor for me. As they say, "Your
> mileage may vary".
I live in the Phoenix area, which is a very flat area, and I get from 47
to 50 MPG, and sometimes 51 or 52 MPG, per tank.
I suggest that it really is driving style.
--
Support the troops: Bring them home ASAP.
>> except
>> by physically cutting a wire in the loom. The software switch is
>> disabled
>> in the UK version.
> This is the inside beep?
> Who really cares? How often are you in reverse?
> No doubt it's some weird EU regulation that's been twisted by lawyers
> into Toyota disabling the software switch.