[SBPabloP]

Customization changes done with Techstream and Carista can be reverted just as easily as they were changed to begin with, made changes using them on '15 Prius, '18 Prius Prime and '15, '16 and '19 Rav4s.

Where can one get Techstream?

 

[Quickdtoo]

Where can one get Techstream?

Cloned Techstream software can be bought on ebay or Amazon and installed on your laptop, but I don't remember seeing the EV reverse proximity alert in the menus which are shown in the HV Techstream Customization discussion which was posted by an XLE HV owner.

Techstream v13.30.18 customization menus

This is my first Toyota and the first time I ever really went into any of the vehicle settings through the OBD2 port. It was a frustrating experience to say the least. Getting the cable and the software to work on my system was a challenge. First off I'm running Windows 10 thus 64 bit OS has...

www.rav4world.com

 

[SBPabloP]

I guess you don't have one. On the Hybrid models, you can't rev the engine with the throttle. The throttle only responds when in gear. Doubt you want to stand on the gas while in reverse.

I hate the sound too, not because it bothers me but from the outside it sounds like a failing transmission. But you get used to it in time.

I have an XLE Hydrid and pumping the pedal started the ICE and killed the pedestrian alert.

 

[SBPabloP]

OK, when I've erred, I admit it. While in park I pressed it, nothing. Then I pressed it to the floor and it started. But you still can't rev it up (hybrid), and that defeats to some extent the reason for a Hybrid in the 1st place. But I admit that pressing the throttle far enough will start the gas engine in park. Guess I'm not in the habit of flooring it.

I have a 2019 XLE Hydrid and all I needed to do was lightly press the pedal and the ICE started. I've only tried it once, but it did work.

 

[sfcharlie]

This controversial continuous (when in reverse) sound is Toyota's "vehicle proximity notification system". It is now a requirement of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act (PSEA), the implementation of which has been evolving since the act was put into play in 2010. It is described somewhere on pages 72-74 of the RAV4 manual.

 

[Colonel]

I didnt realize it did it forward too until yesterday. I was in the front yard and heard it as was curious. It flipping needs to go! And before all the lawsuit-asaurises pop up; there are plenty of normal ICE cars you cant hear coming unless they are majorly into the throttle.

It seems like its coming right from the Toyota emblem and I am hoping its not incorporated into it as thats the sensor for a few other things on the vehicle.

 

[Joe1407]

My 2019 XSE RAV4 Hybird on day 1 had a electrical motor sound only when backing up. I drove it back to the dealer with 21 miles and ask them about it. I was told it was normal. You do not hear it when the motor is running because the motor is louder then the sound. I have 125,000 miles to have it replaced at there cost if it is bad. I really think there is something wrong with it.

 

[BSpiral]

My 2019 XSE RAV4 Hybird on day 1 had a electrical motor sound only when backing up. I drove it back to the dealer with 21 miles and ask them about it. I was told it was normal. You do not hear it when the motor is running because the motor is louder then the sound. I have 125,000 miles to have it replaced at there cost if it is bad. I really think there is something wrong with it.

Is it actually the motor or the backup sound that you're hearing? The vehicle purposefully makes a whiney sound that changes pitch slightly and is very audible from the interior of the vehicle - but only in reverse. It does sound like an electric motor, now that I think about it - but it's a generated sound to warn pedestrians.

Long gone are the times we hybrid owners can ninja our way around the parking lots and side streets.

 

[BSpiral]

I didnt realize it did it forward too until yesterday. I was in the front yard and heard it as was curious. It flipping needs to go! And before all the lawsuit-asaurises pop up; there are plenty of normal ICE cars you cant hear coming unless they are majorly into the throttle.

It seems like its coming right from the Toyota emblem and I am hoping its not incorporated into it as thats the sensor for a few other things on the vehicle.

As someone who has nearly been clipped by hybrids in the past while walking through airport parking garages, I don't mind hearing one coming or backing up... I do wish it had some concept of ambient sound outside and adjust its volume accordingly. On my street at night - my neighborhood is very quiet and my hyrbid is obnoxiously loud backing up. I can understand in the middle of a busy airport garage, it would be perfectly fine.

 

[sfcharlie]

I didnt realize it did it forward too until yesterday. I was in the front yard and heard it as was curious. It flipping needs to go! And before all the lawsuit-asaurises pop up; there are plenty of normal ICE cars you cant hear coming unless they are majorly into the throttle.

It seems like its coming right from the Toyota emblem and I am hoping its not incorporated into it as thats the sensor for a few other things on the vehicle.

Joe1407, it's the "vehicle proximity notification system (VPNS)" and it's not built into anything. It's under the plastic trim piece, which has engine oil specifications printed on it, right under the hood. You'd have to deal with 5 clips and two 10mm bolts to remove it and then you'd see the speaker that makes that noise.

The most controversial fix is to use a 10 watt 8 ohm resistor in place of the speaker. This has been alleged to make the computer act as if the speaker is still there. Some folks aren't sure those resistor specifications are safe from shorting out or over-heating, but that knowledge is above my pay grade.

I've been wondering about fitting some type of sound-muffling screen over the speaker. Others report work-arounds. I have found, for example, that, atn least first thing in the morning, when the engine is completely cold, if I simply turn the heat up high, for a moment, while I'm in reverse, that seems to force the gas engine on, and so the VPNS doesn't kick in. Occasionally, in my experience, when circumstances make it convenient, I can press the accelerator and this also engages the gas engine, but that doesn't always work for me. Toyota dealerships vary in whether they aware this exists and service departments--astonishingly to me--also seem not to know what owners are talking about. On Youtube (

), there is an explanation, by a Toyota engineer, explaining how much effort went into selecting a blend of sounds that is perfect for the human ear. I have been assuming he was recruited from another solar system.

 

[sfcharlie]

Is it actually the motor or the backup sound that you're hearing? The vehicle purposefully makes a whiney sound that changes pitch slightly and is very audible from the interior of the vehicle - but only in reverse. It does sound like an electric motor, now that I think about it - but it's a generated sound to warn pedestrians.

Long gone are the times we hybrid owners can ninja our way around the parking lots and side streets.

Nope. The sound you hear in reverse is coming from a special speaker created by Toyota just to do that one thing: make that noise you hear when you are in reverse,

 

[Sturgin]

I think it sounds like a spirit is trapped under the hood screaming to get out. It's creepy.

 

[sfcharlie]

For $100 a local audio shop wrapped it in Dynamat. Cut volume in half.

 

[Quickdtoo]

For $100 a local audio shop wrapped it in Dynamat. Cut volume in half.

Can be done at home for practically nothing.

That's IT I have HAD IT.... I killed them....

EDIT: You cannot unplug the sound device without it kicking an error in the MIDI as @bertschb indicates. I ended up just doing a massive tape job on the device to silence it shown in post 22 I have had it with the choir. I assassinated them..... You need a 10mm, a 12mm and the ability to...

www.rav4world.com

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Pedestrian warning sound from front speaker in RAV4 2020 when in electric or EV mode forward or going backward.

If you find the noise annoying, which I do, most people on the web seem to be replacing the speaker with a resistor (12v from 4 to 8ohm). If you just disconnect then you get continual warnings on dash. If you muzzle the speaker you get reduced sound. I personally don't mind a sound and am all for safety. I think though they should have chosen a better sound or allow you to choose from a variety (just like phone ring tones). I think they missed an opportunity there... Choosing from multiple warning sounds would be a cool feature! Imagine Apocalypse now song, Ride of the Valkyries playing when you put in reverse, lol. At least the people looking at my car would when I back up or go forward in the parking lot change from stupid looks like what is that noise to that's funny... Let me know if you want to see a picture of where the speaker is.

 

[Keith_A]

Pedestrian warning sound from front speaker in RAV4 2020 when in electric or EV mode forward or going backward.

If you find the noise annoying, which I do, most people on the web seem to be replacing the speaker with a resistor (12v from 4 to 8ohm). If you just disconnect then you get continual warnings on dash. If you muzzle the speaker you get reduced sound. I personally don't mind a sound and am all for safety. I think though they should have chosen a better sound or allow you to choose from a variety (just like phone ring tones). I think they missed an opportunity there... Choosing from multiple warning sounds would be a cool feature! Imagine Apocalypse now song, Ride of the Valkyries playing when you put in reverse, lol. At least the people looking at my car would when I back up or go forward in the parking lot change from stupid looks like what is that noise to that's funny... Let me know if you want to see a picture of where the speaker is.

Unfortunately, this system was mandated by the Government. Consequently, alternative sounds would have to be approved by the Government.... Note that there might be legal consequences if you disable the system and got into an accident with a "pedestrian".

 

[Ocean Breeze]

From what I read it is not the sound that is the issue. It is the volume or decibel reading of the sound as all manufacturers already are all using different sounds.

The US for example allows many different types of frequencies or bands and has different sound levels depending on the Hz band. This sound must be produced when the vehicle is driven forward up to 30Km/h or backward. It came into effect on Sept 2019 100% though was phased in for the year prior.

It appears that Canada presently does not have any requirements for minimum sound though they did a public consultation and are awaiting either a global rule for all autos or will follow the lead of the US but should be announced this year potentially.

So seems like annoying as it is, it is not recommended to get rid of the sound as it will ultimately be a global requirement for all countries.

 

[BSpiral]

From what I read it is not the sound that is the issue. It is the volume or decibel reading of the sound as all manufacturers already are all using different sounds.

The US for example allows many different types of frequencies or bands and has different sound levels depending on the Hz band. This sound must be produced when the vehicle is driven forward up to 30Km/h or backward. It came into effect on Sept 2019 100% though was phased in for the year prior.

It appears that Canada presently does not have any requirements for minimum sound though they did a public consultation and are awaiting either a global rule for all autos or will follow the lead of the US but should be announced this year potentially.

So seems like annoying as it is, it is not recommended to get rid of the sound as it will ultimately be a global requirement for all countries.

global requirement, bah. When they start impounding coal rolling bro-dozers and enforcing dot light requirements that prevent chuckleheads from shoving HID bulbs in their incandescent head lamp reflectors.

but I digress, I get what you’re saying and I see why it’s there.

 

[Miku]

I don't know about this one on Hybrids. It is an irritating sound, almost like someone's strangling a cat. I'm guessing that most new electric cars have it too if it's a government mandate. They need to come up with a less irritating noise if they want compliance. Maybe something like: "Danger, danger Will Robinson! I'm backing up."

 

[Sturgin]

I don't understand this being a requirement in the US, my husband has a company car that is a Tesla. It doesn't make this awful noise. It's completely silent.