I don’t believe that your screen doesn’t buzz

[Mirak]

We’re already discussing this here, but I’m starting this thread in the general area to hopefully get more participation.

This board continues to debate whether all or just some some Mach E instrument display screens buzz - a debate that that has recently taken on new life thanks to Ford’s “eff you - this is a Normal Operating Characteristic” SSM.

So here is my challenge: if you say your screen doesn’t buzz, prove it. Take a short 30-second video following the format below and post it here.

Format:

1. Doesn’t need to be long
2. No unfair ambient noise. Windows up, no AC, no driving, no radio.
3. Set screens to dark mode.
4. Perch the phone on top of the airbag (about 6 inches from the screen).
5. While it’s perched there, slowly toggle screen brightness up/down a few times.
6. Move camera over to the infotainment screen to collect a useful comparison (no buzz there)

Here’s my video. On an iPhone, setting the volume to around 60% closely approximates what I hear with my ears while sitting in the driver seat. Can you take the same video in your car without a buzz? I’d very much like to see it!

And bonus content, look what happens when I turn on my hazard lights with the car off.

And what the heck, if your screen does buzz the same as mine, let us know.

Thanks for participating in this experiment!

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[SteveUk]

The 2nd video is shocking.

 

[generaltso]

Wouldn‘t it make more sense to hold the phone at ear level in the driver’s seat?

 

[EagleDave]

I notice a very slight buzzing that seems to change with each level of brightness. The brightness switches (next to the headlight knob) seem to allow 11 different levels. The dimmest and brightest settings make the buzz very small. Some of the other settings make it a tad bit louder.

The emergency flashers do not seem to affect the buzzing for me.
(I can't get the video to load - I'll post if I can get it to work).

 

[Mirak]

Wouldn‘t it make more sense to hold the phone at ear level in the driver’s seat?

That doesn’t work very well with cellphone camera mics, which is what the vast majority of people will be using. And ears are obviously different than mics, so it doesn’t really matter where you position the mic. It’s not like holding the mic near my head would faithfully reproduce what I’m hearing with my ears - it doesn’t.

But none of that matters. The keys are (1) the comparison between the instrument and infotainment screens - one buzzed and the other does not, and (2) that the buzz changes in frequency as the brightness is adjusted.

I’ve already explained that setting the volume at around 60% when watched on an iPhone closely approximates what I hear. You can quibble with that or flat out not believe it, but it is beside the point. The test is to see if anyone can produce a similar video without buzz.

 

[Mirak]

(I can't get the video to load - I'll post if I can get it to work).

To post video using my iPhone, I just tap the little video cam icon, tap Drop Video, tap Photo Library, and select the video. Thanks for your help!

 

[Trede]

Bigger problem isn't whether your screen buzzes or not, it's the human element. Let's say we have 100 healthy MMEs and all of them screen buzz between 5 and 10 DB (numbers don't matter, just showing that there's a range) at a frequency of between 100 and 150Hz (again, the numbers are BS...bear with me).
If Joe can't hear 130-150Hz, his MME buzzes at 140, he doesn't have an issue.
If Sue gets migraines from 100-120Hz above 7DB, and her MME is 110 at 9.5DB...her car might get complained about.

I hope those examples show, if nothing else, how there could be such a wide range of user experience even if the actual range of what's happening is reasonable from an engineering standpoint.

 

[Mirak]

Videos please. We don’t need to start going down the rabbit hole of whether this constitutes an actionable issue. We’ve already got a whole thread (or two or three) for that. I’m trying to collect data.

 

[physib]

Bigger problem isn't whether your screen buzzes or not, it's the human element.

Yeah that's why he's asking people to record it so there's no human element.

 

[jrstinkfish]

I notice a very slight buzzing that seems to change with each level of brightness. The brightness switches (next to the headlight knob) seem to allow 11 different levels. The dimmest and brightest settings make the buzz very small. Some of the other settings make it a tad bit louder.

The emergency flashers do not seem to affect the buzzing for me.
(I can't get the video to load - I'll post if I can get it to work).

I didn't even notice the buzz until I went out to make a video just now in case I didn't have the buzz. But I do. I drove it 8 hours straight and then 8 hours straight back on a road trip last weekend and never noticed it. Then again I had AC blasting, music, and road noise, so that probably covered it up. Mine also changes with the brightness -- going from lowest to highest, it almost sounds like the Close Encounters of the Third Kind tones.

 

[shutterbug]

1. Videos please. We don’t need to start going down the rabbit hole of whether this constitutes an actionable issue. We’ve already got a whole thread (or two or three) for that. I’m trying to collect data.

Why? Let's pretend that somehow you can get everyone here to agree with you. What do you imagine will happen next? Ford already said what they are going to do. Nothing. You only have 3 choices.

1. Live with this
2. Sell the car
3. Get a lawyer and try to get a class action going

 

[JamieGeek]

Honestly: I don't care if it buzzes or not. I can't hear it and, to date, none of my passengers can hear it either.

I don't need to post a video here to prove that it doesn't. I'm happy with my car as is.

 

[Ponypower50]

I have a very early build date and don't hear any noises by the screen. The only noise I hear is when the air conditioner is on.

 

[Accord07]

Yeah that's why he's asking people to record it so there's no human element.

Recordings made using uncalibrated equipment and evaluated by human's ears keep the "human element" right in the middle of it.

 

[fayt349]

All of the screens buzz. If you don't hear it, that's you not being able to hear it. Go to a doctor.

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