Modifications to end nanny-car harassment, nagging & beeping annoyances?

[mkhuffman]

Based on some of the responses, some people didn’t realize it’s illegal.

Based on your response, you don’t care that it’s illegal.

To each their own I guess…..

I do disagree that telling people “not to break the law,” is virtue signaling. It’s just sound advice.

It is not illegal. And you are right: I don't care even if it is. Because my car is just as safe when it is silent, as when it is making horrible noises. The other safety mechanisms work. And my eyes work. And I drive slowly around pedestrians. And when I drive fast, the pedestrian speaker is turned off by the car anyway. So it is only at slow speeds when it matters. And that is also when it is most annoying.

Sponsored

 

[DYohn]

It is Federal law for EVs and hybrids to emit a sound when moving less than 18,5 MPH. Don’t believe it if you like, but it is required Federally which means in Virginia, Arizona, Alabama or anywhere else. Period. Your opinion means absolutely nothing.

 

[mkhuffman]

Thank you for helping me make some progress here.
#9 found "setting the alarm security level" in manual p.97, and Pre-Collision Assist on/off p.263.

I'm surprised still by the number noise advocates, who feel their own eyes, coordination, and video cameras aren't enough ensure safe driving.

100%.

I frequently run on the streets in my neighborhood. The only sound I hear when traffic approaches is the sound of the tires on the road. The only time I hear engine noise is when it is a big truck, with a big engine. I can't even hear the stupid pedestrian speaker from those horribly sounding Toyotas as they approach. I just hear tire noise. It is so dumb.

I was walking on the street and a 20 year old F150 snuck up on me. Yep. I didn't hear it coming.

So my car has to make fake noises that are louder than a 20 year on F150? Really? It is so dumb.

One of the reasons I purchased my car is because it is quiet. I will just go back to ICE if I am forced to sound like a space ship or something else equally stupid when driving slowly through a parking lot.

 

[mkhuffman]

It is Federal law for EVs and hybrids to emit a sound when moving less than 18,5 MPH. Don’t believe it if you like, but it is required Federally which means in Virginia, Arizona, Alabama or anywhere else. Period. Your opinion means absolutely nothing.

No, you are wrong. It is a Federal regulation that applies to car manufacturers, not car owners.

 

[Mach1E]

It is not illegal. And you are right: I don't care even if it is. Because my car is just as safe when it is silent, as when it is making horrible noises. The other safety mechanisms work. And my eyes work. And I drive slowly around pedestrians. And when I drive fast, the pedestrian speaker is turned off by the car anyway. So it is only at slow speeds when it matters. And that is also when it is most annoying.

It is illegal!

Where is an attorney when you need one…….

It's a violation of Federal Law to modify any vehicle in such a way that it no longer meets the FMVSS requirements, so changing the sound is a violation.

This is the same as if you remove the catalytic converters on your car.

Yes, it’s up to the manufacturers to install these things. But it’s also a violation if you remove them.

It’s not debatable.

Will you get caught? Only if you crash and there is an investigation. Or in those states that require annual safety checks if they add it to the list.

If you’re curious as to one of the reasons they cite for the “why?” It’s blind people.

https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...requirements-for-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles

 

[DYohn]

No, you are wrong. It is a Federal regulation that applies to car manufacturers, not car owners.

It has been illegal for owners to disable or alter the low speed sounds on their cars since 2020. I recommend you stop spreading FUD.

 

[Mach1E]

It has been illegal for owners to disable or alter the low speed sounds on their cars since 2020. I recommend you stop spreading FUD.

Yup.

Now that said…….

Is it more safe having it? Absolutely. Cars have blind spots and there are blind pedestrians (or people just not paying attention)

Is it enforceable? Maybe only in an accident with an investigation (homocide)

Is it annoying? Yup. Especially with your windows down.

What about the backup beeping? As far as I know, not required, but I’m keeping it for the same above reasons.

Oh, and here is the pedestrian crash data. It’s DOUBLE!!!! Not even close.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811526

 

[DYohn]

I believe the law requires a sound when reversing at less than 18.5 MPH but it was a Ford decision to reuse the backup beeper from a commercial dump-truck to do it.

 

[thekat03]

I believe the law requires a sound when reversing at less than 18.5 MPH but it was a Ford decision to reuse the backup beeper from a commercial dump-truck to do it.

At least they didn't use the internal back up beep from a 2010 Prius. I loved that car, but wow, that back up beep was loud, and louder inside than outside the car.

 

[breeves002]

I've had my 2023 premium awd for 3 months now and I'm about done. The obnoxious cacophony makes driving a headache, instead of a smooth and enjoyable experience this has been a major letdown. Who needs all this harassment? Please share if you have modifications to stop any of the following:

1) Disable startup sounds - I unlock the car, sit in the seat and press start button. Dun-dah-dum x3. Yes, I put my seat belt low and tight across the waist.
2) Deactivate Reverse Beeping: Turn the nob to reverse, and beeps commence. I usually leave my garage early and it is annoying to our neighbors.
3) Adjust Collision Warning Sensitivity: City driving, approaching a stoplight, and while braking the collision warning beeps, slams on brake, and jerks me forward. False alarm!
4) Customize Bluecruise Alerts: get on highway, Bluecruise on *beep. I look to the car on my left *warning. Approach a turn on the highway where bluecruise is not yet programmed to work and auto-cancelled *beep. Oh, the car can change lanes for me? *ding* Etc, you get the picture.
5) Disable Front Camera Warnings: Pull into parking spot, front camera activates, and cacophony commences before nearing the curb/wall/parking sign, as if I'm going to plow right into it.
6) Silence post drive warnings and reminders: I park, and turn off the car. A grovely jingle tells reminds me that I turned off the MachE and successfully completed another drive from point A to B.
7) PAAK double honk: Sometimes when I don't have the keyfob with me, the car will give a quick double horn honk to further annoy me.
8) Warning. Did I leave any babies in the back seat?
9) Warning. Should the car put sensors on or off? I honestly haven't figured out what these parked car sensors are, I just know that they are not as functional as the Tesla Sentry Mode.

The barrage of beeps and warnings get in the way and make driving a chore. Instead of trusting us to drive responsibly, ford bombards us with irritating nonsense, making you question the car's true value. We want a car, not a backseat driver that won't shut up!
Please reply only with solutions you may have, i.e. "Just don't use the features" is not the type of work-around I'm looking for here, folks. I'll also be visiting the dealer service center to see what they can do.

Most of these I'm sure have been answered but for my own sanity I have to reply.

It may be time for you to buy a 1997 Grand Marquis and be happy with it. This is how modern cars are. However the Mach E's beeps (for the most part) are better than many other brands. Toyota, Hyundai, Rivian, Tesla, etc. You're significantly over reacting in my opinion.

Startup sounds are on every ICE Ford around and not very annoying honestly but I probably would disable it too if I could. I hadn't ever thought about it.

The backup dinging is silly I agree but it really is quiet and not obnoxious. Are your neighbors like sharing a driveway and standing by your garage? I'm not sure how they would get annoyed by it. Have you heard a Rav 4 Prime backing up? Your neighbors would call the cops if you had one of those if the mach e annoys them!

You can turn collision warning off with FORScan but it could cause other issues (no ones tried that I know of). You can set the sensitivity to low. I've never had it actually apply the brakes except when necessary but it does beep at me unnecessarily - however I understand why. It doesn't know the guy in front of me is turning it just knows I'm coming up on this guy really fast.

I have like zero issues with blue cruise beeping. Sometimes I get the cancelled ding but it is REALLY quiet in my car and doesn't bother me at all.

You can turn your parking sensors off.

The little quiet jingle when you turn off the car is literally so quiet and lasts like a half second. You'll survive. Just ignore it.

Double honk is my biggest grievance with the Mach E (and ALL Ford's with push button start) but it is easily turned off with FORScan.

You can disable the rear seat warning.

The sensor off/on message doesn't even beep at you! Ha!

 

[alexgorod]

I wish there was an option to see a translation for these warning sounds - from time to time on the start up it makes 2 beep-beep, louder than 3 "buckle up" beeps and right after them. Nothing on the screens, no errors in ODB2.

 

[ChasingCoral]

It is illegal!

Where is an attorney when you need one…….

It's a violation of Federal Law to modify any vehicle in such a way that it no longer meets the FMVSS requirements, so changing the sound is a violation.

This is the same as if you remove the catalytic converters on your car.

Yes, it’s up to the manufacturers to install these things. But it’s also a violation if you remove them.

It’s not debatable.

Will you get caught? Only if you crash and there is an investigation. Or in those states that require annual safety checks if they add it to the list.

If you’re curious as to one of the reasons they cite for the “why?” It’s blind people.

https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...requirements-for-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles

Actually, your points are quite debatable.

It is a Federal Regulation and subject to civil penalties. However, the prohibition is on sale, not operation:

§30112. Prohibitions on manufacturing, selling, and importing noncomplying motor vehicles and equipment
(a) GENERAL.—(1) Except as provided in this section, sections 30113 and 30114 of this title, and subchapter III of this chapter, a person may not manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, or import into the United States, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment manufactured on or after the date an applicable motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter takes effect unless the vehicle or equipment complies with the standard and is covered by a certification issued under section 30115 of this title.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg...btitleVI-partA-chap301-subchapII-sec30112.pdf

Removing catalytic converters violates state laws based on the Federal Regulations.

That said, I definitely don't condone removing the external sound production used to alert pedestrians that a vehicle is backing up or that an EV is approaching.

 

[Mirak]

Based on some of the responses, some people didn’t realize it’s illegal.

Based on your response, you don’t care that it’s illegal.

To each their own I guess…..

I do disagree that telling people “not to break the law,” is virtue signaling. It’s just sound advice.

It is not illegal.

 

[Mach1E]

Actually, your points are quite debatable.

It is a Federal Regulation and subject to civil penalties. However, the prohibition is on sale, not operation:

§30112. Prohibitions on manufacturing, selling, and importing noncomplying motor vehicles and equipment
(a) GENERAL.—(1) Except as provided in this section, sections 30113 and 30114 of this title, and subchapter III of this chapter, a person may not manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, or import into the United States, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment manufactured on or after the date an applicable motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter takes effect unless the vehicle or equipment complies with the standard and is covered by a certification issued under section 30115 of this title.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg...btitleVI-partA-chap301-subchapII-sec30112.pdf

Removing catalytic converters violates state laws based on the Federal Regulations.

That said, I definitely don't condone removing the external sound production used to alert pedestrians that a vehicle is backing up or that an EV is approaching.

Definitely deep into the weeds on this one (still waiting on that lawyer).

The NHTSA ruling states that the vehicles are “required to have” the pedestrian sounds.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/quietcar_finalrule_11142016.pdf

So if you ask the government, “can I have a 2020+ electric car without them?” The answer is “no, they are required to have them.”

Is it illegal to tamper with, disable or remove required FMVSS?

Yup-

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/documents/tamperinganddefeatdevices-enfalert.pdf


Now digging deeper it gets more interesting.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/interpretations/9068

“
The Safety Act prohibits any person from manufacturing, selling, or importing any new motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment unless the vehicle or equipment item is in conformity with all applicable safety standards. However, the Safety Act also provides that once a vehicle is sold and delivered to its first retail purchaser, the vehicle is no longer required by Federal law to comply with the safety standards. However, States have authority to require that used vehicles have certain equipment installed and functioning for the vehicles to be registered or sold.

After the first retail purchase of a vehicle, a provision in Federal law that affects a vehicle's continuing compliance with an applicable safety standard is the "render inoperative" provision of the Safety Act which provides that:

No manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or motor vehicle repair business shall knowingly render inoperative, in whole or in part, any device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle ... in compliance with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard.”

So according to the above, an individual owner MIGHT be able to remove safety equipment, but would be required to reinstall it if they sell the car. (Federal level), but at the state level they can be more restrictive.

The above was referring to air bags and aftermarket steering wheels, but interesting nonetheless.

And for work vehicles? Illegal to remove any safety equipment-
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915/1915.93

Virginia does “safety inspections,” and can remove your vehicle from the road if it’s deemed “unsafe.” Defeating required safety equipment could apply:

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/section46.2-1001/

So you’re right, it’s more debatable than I thought.

 

[Mach1E]

It is not illegal.

Except it is. Or at the very least you can’t sell your car with it disabled. At most (depending on your state), you couldn’t register or drive it.

Kinda like the catalytic converter thing (many people remove them). It’s ok if you don’t care that it’s illegal. But you shouldn’t tell people it’s legal.

Example of state law and penalty-


For example, in Wisconsin, if you remove, change or tamper with an airbag, you can be subject to the Wisconsin Defective Air Bag Law (2001 Wisconsin Act 28).
Any person who unlawfully removes or tampers with an airbag can be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year in a county jail or both.

Sponsored