Disabling Hybrid/EV Sound
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 410
Likes: 172
From: New York
Disabling Hybrid/EV Sound
I am awaiting my 450H delivery, and was curious has anyone disabled that annoying EV mode sound they make at low speeds?
Believe it is just sound box under the front bumper, but was curious if anyone removed and if it will throw any fault codes.
Believe it is just sound box under the front bumper, but was curious if anyone removed and if it will throw any fault codes.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 966
From: Toronto, ON
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 440
Likes: 345
From: CA
Actually, there is one in the front of the vehicle and a second one in the rear, which only makes a sound when you are in reverse. They're about the size of hamburger and they are a bit noisy but, the sound generated is not as bad as those found on Tesla models. IMO, the Teslas sound much like the cheesy sound effects that were used in old 1950's Sci-Fi movies.
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 196
Likes: 127
From: NOTL ON Canada
You could try the AVAS Bypass kit. I considered before my car arrived, but don't mind the sound and it is good for safety reasons.
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Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 114
Likes: 37
I think the Tesla back up warning sounds cool. I ride my bike almost everyday and kept hearing it and didn't know what it was.
I finally realized, "Oh it's all these Tesla's backing up". I don't think I've heard the Lexus one yet.
Btw, Tesla drivers are some of the worst an most aggressive out on the road (although the variability is huge).
Right up there with BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Jeep, and Mustang.
I finally realized, "Oh it's all these Tesla's backing up". I don't think I've heard the Lexus one yet.
Btw, Tesla drivers are some of the worst an most aggressive out on the road (although the variability is huge).
Right up there with BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Jeep, and Mustang.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 322
Likes: 86
From: Vancouver, USA
I actually enjoy the quiet warning sound of my NX 350h, but I have also found that people sauntering through parking lots must not hear me because they rarely move out of the way...
Want an annoying sound? Try the backing-up sound of my 2012 Nissan Leaf... I sold it!
Want an annoying sound? Try the backing-up sound of my 2012 Nissan Leaf... I sold it!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 593
Likes: 129
From: San Diego
You could try the AVAS Bypass kit. I considered before my car arrived, but don't mind the sound and it is good for safety reasons.
I have one of these, my wife told me to remove it. If you want it, PM me.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 981
Likes: 647
From: California
Actually, there is one in the front of the vehicle and a second one in the rear, which only makes a sound when you are in reverse. They're about the size of hamburger and they are a bit noisy but, the sound generated is not as bad as those found on Tesla models. IMO, the Teslas sound much like the cheesy sound effects that were used in old 1950's Sci-Fi movies.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 674
From: Niagara Falls, Ontario
I'm pretty sure it's regulated at least in USA and Canada, I'm sure probably elsewhere too. It's on the RX hybrids as well, it's on ALL Toyota and Lexus hybrids, why would they not put it on all their vehicles? Safety is safety, not you get and you don't, because of any reason.
I find they're pretty quiet, not a bother plus if the ICE is running it doesn't make the noise.
This is a petty concern in my opinion! I hope whoever removes their's doesn't run anyone over in a parking lot and the cops find out you had it disconnected!
I find they're pretty quiet, not a bother plus if the ICE is running it doesn't make the noise.
This is a petty concern in my opinion! I hope whoever removes their's doesn't run anyone over in a parking lot and the cops find out you had it disconnected!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 981
Likes: 647
From: California
I'm pretty sure it's regulated at least in USA and Canada, I'm sure probably elsewhere too. It's on the RX hybrids as well, it's on ALL Toyota and Lexus hybrids, why would they not put it on all their vehicles? Safety is safety, not you get and you don't, because of any reason.
I find they're pretty quiet, not a bother plus if the ICE is running it doesn't make the noise.
This is a petty concern in my opinion! I hope whoever removes their's doesn't run anyone over in a parking lot and the cops find out you had it disconnected!
I find they're pretty quiet, not a bother plus if the ICE is running it doesn't make the noise.
This is a petty concern in my opinion! I hope whoever removes their's doesn't run anyone over in a parking lot and the cops find out you had it disconnected!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 674
From: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Toyota Lexus refers to it as:Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS)
Here's a thread on this site for RX h
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...0-rx-450h.html
This is from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electr...te_note-Prii-6
quotes from Wikipedia: "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued its final ruling in February 2018. It requires hybrids and electric vehicles travelling at less than 18.6 mph (30 km/h) to emit warning sounds that pedestrians must be able to hear over background noises. The regulation requires full compliance in September 2020, but 50% of "quiet" vehicles must have the warning sounds by September 2019.[3]"
"Toyota's Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) was introduced in the United States in all 2012 model year Prius family vehicles, including the Prius v, Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the standard Prius. The system is being introduced to comply with the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010.[6][77]"
Here's a thread on this site for RX h
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...0-rx-450h.html
This is from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electr...te_note-Prii-6
quotes from Wikipedia: "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued its final ruling in February 2018. It requires hybrids and electric vehicles travelling at less than 18.6 mph (30 km/h) to emit warning sounds that pedestrians must be able to hear over background noises. The regulation requires full compliance in September 2020, but 50% of "quiet" vehicles must have the warning sounds by September 2019.[3]"
"Toyota's Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) was introduced in the United States in all 2012 model year Prius family vehicles, including the Prius v, Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the standard Prius. The system is being introduced to comply with the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010.[6][77]"
Last edited by TheCDN; Jun 8, 2025 at 01:58 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 440
Likes: 345
From: CA
@StefanoS - is it really there on the RX ? I don't ever hear it (even when trying to), and since you have both NX and the RX - can you please chime in if its really there in the RX ?
Last edited by StefanoS; Jun 8, 2025 at 03:27 PM.