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The rise of fake engine noise

washingtonpost.com

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Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#41

Post by abecedarius »

Mithaldu wrote: post #10
upofadown wrote: post #9

>Federal safety officials expect to finalize rules later this year requiring all hybrid and electric cars to play fake engine sounds to alert passersby, a change that experts estimate could prevent thousands of pedestrian and cyclist injuries. Yeah, because those pedestrian and cyclists should be responsible for staying out of the way of badly driven cars... Just think how safe things would be if we cranked things up…

The worst part about that is that car noise is an actual ecological and "quality of life" threat, combated in many places by noise walls built around roads. Forcing cars to be loud is the worst possible decision that could be made.

I'm hard of hearing, and to first order I cannot ever hold a conversation in public in a city: outside it's cars, inside it's crowds and music. Once upon a time I looked forward to electric cars taking over; now I expect this regulation to persist long after there are good other solutions for safety.

Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#42

Post by Coincoin »

Mithaldu wrote: post #10
upofadown wrote: post #9

>Federal safety officials expect to finalize rules later this year requiring all hybrid and electric cars to play fake engine sounds to alert passersby, a change that experts estimate could prevent thousands of pedestrian and cyclist injuries. Yeah, because those pedestrian and cyclists should be responsible for staying out of the way of badly driven cars... Just think how safe things would be if we cranked things up…

The worst part about that is that car noise is an actual ecological and "quality of life" threat, combated in many places by noise walls built around roads. Forcing cars to be loud is the worst possible decision that could be made.

Also, companies will try to differentiate their brand using this fake sound. So we will go from a mostly-bassy-white-but-still-annoying ICE noise to very specific and recognizable frequencies and tones that will make a misophonia sufferer want to kill themself.

Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#43

Post by Semiapies »

jloughry wrote: post #23

I want the Jetsons' car sound. My bother wants a Star Wars TIE fighter and my father in law would like the sound of a B-17, please.

I've been telling people I want the Jetsons sound ever since I got a Prius.

I can do without piping it into the cabin, though.

Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#44

Post by snowwrestler »

My first reaction was that it's stupid and pointless.

But my second reaction is that it's a clever culture hack that allows more efficient engines to make their way into typical "car lover" cars--so ultimately a good thing all around. Drivers get the sound they want, with better gas mileage, and the rest of us get cars that are quieter on the outside and produce less pollution. All enabled by a bit of digital audio.

Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#45

Post by Semiapies »

13 wrote: post #8

At some point the engine noise just becomes completely arbitrary. Avertisers will buy out your engine noise sounds, as you pass by in your Telsa furniture warehouse salesmen will scream from the engine compartment.

Not quite the same thing, but related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n17B_uFF4cA

Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#46

Post by cozuya »

jrs235 wrote: post #3
jrochkind1 wrote: post #2

You'd think some people would want to opt out of the fake/amplified engine noise, so they can drive in peace, listen to their stereo without interference, etc. but i guess making the amplified/fake engine noise an option would defeat the purpose.

I can see it now: Added option - reduced engine noise $500. Charging the buyer a one time fee to "disconnect a wire".

I see you're a BMW owner.

Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#47

Post by jacquesm »

In Amsterdam one of the bigger reasons given for the reduction of speeds on some roads is that it reduces the noise pollution. It would seem backwards to require cars to make more noise than they strictly have to. That said in mixed traffic situations it may save some lives, so essentially this proves all those guys that drove without dampers in their exhausts and bumper stickers saying 'loud pipes save lives' right after all.

I think once the background noise of IC engines has disappeared and we can all hear normally again that this will pass, it's just the intermediate period when we can't hear the electric cars over the noise of the rest of the traffic.

Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#48

Post by ars »

Am I the only one that associates loud noise with a weak engine?

To me a powerful car just has an acceleration whine, and that's all.

It's like a rocket exhaust: the "wilder" it is the weaker it is. A powerful, well tuned, rocket has a very sharp, and clean (i.e. not noisy) flame.

Same with a car - if it's making a lot of noise, it's poorly tuned or designed.

Re: The rise of fake engine noise

#50

Post by e40 »

kylec wrote: post #25

I have no problem with manufacturers including fake engine noise as a feature as long as it can be disabled by the customer.

Perhaps it should just be used when a pedestrian is near? It's bad enough worrying about cars that are making legal maneuvers, but when an electric car doesn't follow the rules, it's that much more dangerous.
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