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

[Mirak]

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.

I’m a lawyer. I’ve read the law. It doesn’t apply to end-users. Only the manufacturers. You’re already qualifying your own statement with “or at least…” Again, if I want to disable my noise maker, or cut the label of my mattress, it is not illegal.

Could it be argued that this constitutes “negligence” from a civil liability standpoint? Maybe. Maybe not. But that’s my risk to assume.

Give your virtue signaling and bad legal advice a rest.

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[Mach1E]

I’m a lawyer. I’ve read the law. It doesn’t apply to end-users. Only the manufacturers. You’re already qualifying your own statement with “or at least…” Again, if I want to disable my noise maker, or cut the label of my mattress, it is not illegal.

Could it be argued that this constitutes “negligence” from a civil liability standpoint? Maybe. Maybe not. But that’s my risk to assume.

Give your virtue signaling and bad legal advice a rest.

It’s illegal to sell your car with it disabled.

If your state has safety inspections it’s illegal to disable safety equipment.

Both of the above apply to “end users.”

I seriously doubt you read the whole law. But if you want to, I posted all 373 pages of it earlier.

Or just read this one line from it- “This new standard requires hybrid and electric passenger cars, light trucks and vans (LTVs), and low speed vehicles (LSVs) to produce sounds meeting the requirements of this standard.”

 

[Mirak]

It’s illegal to sell your car with it disabled.

If your state has safety inspections it’s illegal to disable safety equipment.

Both of the above apply to “end users.”

I seriously doubt you read the whole law. But if you want to, I posted all 373 pages of it earlier.

Or just read this one line from it- “This new standard requires hybrid and electric passenger cars, light trucks and vans (LTVs), and low speed vehicles (LSVs) to produce sounds meeting the requirements of this standard.”

You’re flailing. Stop. Nobody was talking about selling their car or getting it inspected. You flat out said it is illegal to disable. It isn’t. Stop now.

When I sell my car it is very very easy to curse the next owner with a reconnected speaker.

 

[DYohn]

Do we have multiple threads on this dead horse topic? Do we need to keep beating it?

for those of you who do not believe that it is illegal contact the NHTSA and ask them. For those who don’t care and will just do it anyway, knock yourself out but stop giving bad advice please.

 

[Mach1E]

You’re flailing. Stop. Nobody was talking about selling their car or getting it inspected. You flat out said it is illegal to do it. It isn’t. Stop now.

I gave examples of when it’s DEFINITELY illegal.

And you keep saying it’s flat out “not illegal.”

You didn’t say, “it might be legal in your state, but only if you never sell the car.”

Stop giving bad legal advice!

The whole point of this discussion is to get to the truth and you completely torpedoed that with your blanket statements and no sources. I’m posting direct quotes from government websites.

work car? Illegal
Sell the car? Illegal
Safety inspection state! Illegal

 

[mkhuffman]

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

Dude. You should read the federal register link before you post it. Because it says exactly what I have been saying:

"FMVSS No. 141 sets requirements that apply to manufacturers, modifiers, repair shops, and others, but does not set requirements for end-users."

So again, it is not illegal for me to disable the pedestrian speaker. Your link to the federal register proves it. Thank you.

I am still waiting for data that proves that fake sounds in my MME makes it safer. That won't be provided either, because it doesn't exist.

 

[macchiaz-o]

This post started off with frustration and went downhill from there.

 

[Mach1E]

Dude. You should read the federal register link before you post it. Because it says exactly what I have been saying:

"FMVSS No. 141 sets requirements that apply to manufacturers, modifiers, repair shops, and others, but does not set requirements for end-users."

So again, it is not illegal for me to disable the pedestrian speaker. Your link to the federal register proves it. Thank you.

I am still waiting for data that proves that fake sounds in my MME makes it safer. That won't be provided either, because it doesn't exist.

Just like you’re accusing me of…… you have to keep reading.

Post #52 has the crash data.

And the other posts show all the situations where it is illegal. Yes the one link doesn’t set the requirement for the end user but other regulations do.

Go figure…… the law isn’t so simple.

 

[DevSecOps]

I feel left out. You guys can't have an argument without me ...

 

[devmach-e]

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

That would be because past experience clearly indicates that those things are not enough.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Have your neighbors said it annoys them?

I had Otto’s annual state safety check done this morning. During part of that test they had the car in reverse. In a drive through part of a warehouse. I was supposed by how not loud that back up beep is really. To each their own — more or less.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Show me the data that proves my fake engine sound makes my car safer.

Probably semantics but just to be clear, the pedestrian alert sound is not the fake engine sound. They’re very different.

I’m not going to wade into the legal or illegal, moral or corrupt beyond all hope arguments though. Nor dispense legal advice. Besides, I think my malpractice insurance excludes advice given on automobile forums.

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.

We bandy about pedestrians every time this particular discussion comes up. It goes beyond pedestrians. The system is there for bicycles and the like as well. I guarantee the low speed hum is quite welcome when cycling down Alii drive in Kona (speed limit 15). At least then I have a warning that some clown is about to try and squeeze me off the road.

I feel left out. You guys can't have an argument without me ...

It’s even worse Todd, I do not see a single Frunk post in this thread! No respect for tradition I tell you!

 

[ChasingCoral]

It’s even worse Todd, I do not see a single Frunk post in this thread! No respect for tradition I tell you!

Speaking frunks , have you heard that “I’m closing now” warning tone for the Lightning frunk? It’s louder than the backup sound and three loud tones every time you open or close the frunk like trumpets announcing the king’s arrival! It’s loud enough that you’ll be sure to hear it in a noisy construction site.

Last deer season I planned to keep my often-used items like my crossbow in there but on morning hunts I’d alert every deer within a mile I was coming. That one is about to go!

I’m sorry, but any kids climbing in the frunk will just have to jump out when they see the frunk move because my frunk is getting a bumper-ectomy. I might do the same for the one on the tailgate too. There’s no federal regulation against ditching that one either.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

There’s no federal regulation against ditching that one either.

I have no particular qualms about eliminating some of the sounds our vehicles make. I object to those who eliminate the pedestrian and backup sounds if, and only if, they’re a Hawaii based vehicle. And that’s because too many on vacation tend to leave their brains behind and everyone knows this is just like DisneyLand anyway — you can’t possibly get hurt. We need all the help we can get. YMMV.

On the other hand, I was trying to back out of my spot at Target yesterday when two folks decided to step behind my car and stop to chat all the while glaring at my car for making those backup sounds which it had been making before they stepped in behind it. So … ?‍

 

[RonOinAZ]

On Monday, the dealer gave me a 2023 GT as a loaner when I dropped off my 2022 Premium for software updates and tire rotation. I was surprised at how loud the seatbelt reminder is in the 2023. It's significantly more in-your-face than the one in my 2022. I can understand why the OP finds it irritating. I'm not bothered at all by the one in my car.

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