[hobokencentral]

I have been rather captivated by the sound/ music that the Insight emits after starting the vehicle and beginning to accelerate. In fact, autoguide.com - within their June review of the Insight - put the issue of the sound this way:

"There’s one last notable feature, too. Because the Insight creeps around in total silence at walking speeds, it emits a sound so pedestrians know there’s a moving vehicle nearby. The sound can only be described as a heavenly aura. It’s a good idea for pedestrian safety, but it’s definitely quirky."


Anyone have a thought or two about this unique hum/ musical notes that the car emits?

 

[alpha642]

Yeah -- my salesperson said it was from the "propulsion" of the hybrid engine.

Wish I could INCREASE the volume of it. Some way.

When pulling out in 'stealth mode' it would be a nice audible warning to people / animals, etc.

Read someplace that it is louder in the Canadian versions of the Insight.

 

[Mr. Natural]

I have been rather captivated by the sound/ music that the Insight emits after starting the vehicle and beginning to accelerate. In fact, autoguide.com - within their June review of the Insight - put the issue of the sound this way:

"There’s one last notable feature, too. Because the Insight creeps around in total silence at walking speeds, it emits a sound so pedestrians know there’s a moving vehicle nearby. The sound can only be described as a heavenly aura. It’s a good idea for pedestrian safety, but it’s definitely quirky."


Anyone have a thought or two about this unique hum/ musical notes that the car emits?

That’s the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System. It kicks in under 12mph and is a government safety requirement to help pedestrians hear you coming.

 

[insightfully]

Does anyone have experience with (or recording of) the "Reverse Alert Tone" that the Owners Manual says is active by default (pp 157, 380)? Is it the same sound as the "heavenly" Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System when moving forward at low speed? This video is for the forward-moving AVAS sound, but I haven't yet found recordings of the car's sound in reverse:

 

[Wolverine51]

I don't hear any slow speed forward sound like that at all !

 

[Mr. Natural]

It will only play the sound if the car is running on battery only and it’s hard to hear if your not standing next to the car.

 

[andrew28]

I hear it every time when I back out of my parking spot and when I accelerate slowly from a stop.

 

[insightfully]

I hear it every time when I back out of my parking spot and when I accelerate slowly from a stop.

You have good ears! I only hear the forward-moving sound when my radio is low/off, and haven't yet coordinated anyone to be outside while I'm reversing. Is the SAME sound played for both the "Reverse Alert Tone" when backing up, and the "Acoustic Vehicle Alert" when moving forward?

 

[andrew28]

You have good ears! I only hear the forward-moving sound when my radio is low/off, and haven't yet coordinated anyone to be outside while I'm reversing. Is the SAME sound played for both the "Reverse Alert Tone" when backing up, and the "Acoustic Vehicle Alert" when moving forward?

I don't have the music or heater on when I start up the car before backing out onto the street so the car stays in EV mode. I definitely notice the reverse alert tone more since it seems slightly louder but it doesn't sound different from the one I hear when I slowly accelerate from a stop. I will pay more attention to it when I go out for a drive later tonight and post an update.

 

[andrew28]

You have good ears! I only hear the forward-moving sound when my radio is low/off, and haven't yet coordinated anyone to be outside while I'm reversing. Is the SAME sound played for both the "Reverse Alert Tone" when backing up, and the "Acoustic Vehicle Alert" when moving forward?

Just came back from my drive and it definitely is the same sound as moving forward. Sounds exactly like the video posted above and this clarity video.

 

[insightfully]

Thanks for confirming! It's helpful to know what sounds are coming from the car, even if I can't hear it! It's interesting that the sound/pitch/frequency increases with speed. I had only heard it at a constant tone at lower speeds.

 

[LA2LA]

Vehicle sound while in motion

Hello, I'm new here, and a brand new owner of an EX. I've noticed a sound while the car is in motion, it's almost like a repeating music tune, kind of Philip Glass-like. Sorry, it's kind of hard to describe. I'm hoping someone will tell me this is normal? Does anyone know why it makes this sound? It's only while the car is in motion.
I called my dealer, and the salesperson who sold me my car tells me it's normal, and she tells me she's going to record it from one of their new vehicles and send to me. But I wanted to check here also.
Thank you.

 

[insightfully]

You're not imagining things, and it's normal. :smile:

The tune plays when the car is in EV mode and at low speed (<12 mph) to alert pedestrians as a substitute for engine noise. The alert plays when going forward and when reversing under these conditions. It's required by the IIHS and is referred to as the "Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System" by Honda.

Check out this thread on "New Age Music" for more info and videos.

 

[Honda2019]

You're not imagining things, and it's normal. :smile:

The tune plays when the car is in EV mode and at low speed (<12 mph) to alert pedestrians as a substitute for engine noise. The alert plays when going forward and when reversing under these conditions. It's required by the IIHS and is referred to as the "Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System" by Honda.

Check out this thread on "New Age Music" for more info and videos.

I consider this "tune" to be a feature for me of the Insight on the inside of the car as well. It helps mask my tinnitus in my bad ear. :smile:

 

[LA2LA]

You're not imagining things, and it's normal. [img= class=inlineimg]https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/images/NO_BRAND/smilies/tango_face_smile.png[/img]

The tune plays when the car is in EV mode and at low speed (<12 mph) to alert pedestrians as a substitute for engine noise. The alert plays when going forward and when reversing under these conditions. It's required by the IIHS and is referred to as the "Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System" by Honda.

Check out this thread on "New Age Music" for more info and videos.

Thank you so much for your reply, that's so helpful. I was a little freaked out by the tune.

 

[insightfully]

Thank you so much for your reply, that's so helpful. I was a little freaked out by the tune.

Sure thing! If you haven't already, you might want to download the PDF version of the Owners Manual. It's more detailed than the "Owners Guide" that came with the car, and has info on many topics including AVAS. The PDF is searchable and has hyperlinked pages as well. - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/5...ners-manual-needed-delivery-car.html#post4434

If you're a diehard, a hard copy of the Owners Manual can also be ordered from Helm for free within the first 6 months of purchase. - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/7...ussion/304-paraphrasing-crocodile-dundee.html

I have both.

 

[gerryzub]

My Insight doesn't make any of these sounds. Forward or Reverse. Not sure if you guys got a Canadian model or what. The manual pages mentioned here don't have any information about this sound either. There must be more than one version of the manual.

 

[Verdier]

My Insight doesn't make any of these sounds. Forward or Reverse. Not sure if you guys got a Canadian model or what. The manual pages mentioned here don't have any information about this sound either. There must be more than one version of the manual.

If you drive it at very low speeds, like crawling in a drive thru, and your car says it's in ev mode, and you have your window down and don't hear it then take it in for service. I never heard it until I lowered my window in a drive thru and I was moving forward to pick up my food at the pie hole filler window. I love the sound and wish it happened more often.

 

[Verdier]

Thank you so much for your reply, that's so helpful. I was a little freaked out by the tune.

Sure thing! If you haven't already, you might want to download the PDF version of the Owners Manual. It's more detailed than the "Owners Guide" that came with the car, and has info on many topics including AVAS. The PDF is searchable and has hyperlinked pages as well. - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/5...ners-manual-needed-delivery-car.html#post4434

If you're a diehard, a hard copy of the Owners Manual can also be ordered from Helm for free within the first 6 months of purchase. - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/7...ussion/304-paraphrasing-crocodile-dundee.html

I have both. [img= class=inlineimg]/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Beaten off any carjackers with it yet? It's lethal!😄

 

[insightfully]

My Insight doesn't make any of these sounds. Forward or Reverse. Not sure if you guys got a Canadian model or what. The manual pages mentioned here don't have any information about this sound either. There must be more than one version of the manual.

It's a subtle sound, so try radio/fan off to hear. It only "plays" when the car is in fully electric (EV) mode and at speeds below 12 mph (20 km/h). You won't hear it if your car starts with gas engine on. The forward alert turns on every time the car turns on, but the reverse alert can be turned off.