Hi Ray, I have forgotten your age - but - do you happen to remember the 57 Cadillac ElDorado? You could not hear the blamed thing running even in a large garage. Same was true with my 93 Chrysler Salon. It was not as quiet as the Caddy but, in normal traffic you could not hear it ideling until you ran into the hood.
Yes, these hybrids are awfully silent but so are a good number of other autos particularly when you add normal traffic sounds. I recall when the radial tires came into common use. If it was the lest bit windy you could not hear a car half a block away unlike the old bias ply tires which always made some sort of noise. We could go back to the time when cars rattled and shook as they made their way down the street that way anyone who was not profoundly deaf would be able to detect their approach. Cy, The Anasazi From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ray Boyce Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 3:09 PM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Beware of that noisy hybrid car ONE of the world's quietest cars will use a fake engine noise to help save lives. Toyota has fitted its petrol-electric Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid, with a speaker that emits an artificial sound to help warn pedestrians of its approach. General Motors, Nissan and Lotus are among other car makers set to follow with similar pedestrian-alert systems as the motor industry responds to criticism that hybrids such as the Prius endanger lives, particularly those of the blind. Some safety groups have called hybrids silent killers, and research has shown hybrids are more likely to be involved in low-speed accidents with pedestrians because of their ability to run in virtual silence on battery power alone with the petrol engine switched off. Toyota's Approaching Vehicle Audible System device is mounted inside the Prius's front bumper and makes an exaggerated, synthesised sound of an electric motor up to speeds of about 25 km/h. The company says the system, which costs about $170 in Japan, is under consideration for Australia. Such warning tones are expected to become mandatory for hybrids and electric vehicles in the United States. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
