More here:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...19-es300h.html

 

If it sounds like Darth Vader's TIE fighter, that is the sound that the car makes as in hybrid mode the car is too quiet. To help any pedestrians walking near the car. I've had many friends call it out as sounding like Darth Vader's ship when I am in reverse. I had a 2015 ES that also had a sound, but was much lower and a different tone.

SEE BELOW:

Hybrid vehicles use both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Electric motors, however, make very little noise compared to gasoline and diesel engines.

The rule requires hybrid and electric vehicles to make audible noise when traveling in reverse or forward at speeds up to about 19 mph. The sound alert isn’t required at higher speeds because other factors, such as tire and wind noise, provide warning.

“We all depend on our senses to alert us to possible danger,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “With more, quieter hybrid and electrical cars on the road, the ability for all pedestrians to hear as well as see the cars becomes an important factor of reducing the risk of possible crashes and improving safety.”

 

The spaceship noises are required by law in the US, this won't be something you can disable unless you custom code the car.


"the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued its final ruling in February 2018. It requires hybrids and electric vehicles traveling at less than 18.6 mph (30 km/h) to emit warning sounds that pedestrians must be able to hear over background noises. The regulation requires full compliance in September 2020, but 50% of "quiet" vehicles must have the warning sounds by September 2019."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electr...#United_States

 

thank you guys I believe it just don't like it
let me know if we can silence it

 

That particular noise really bothered me when I first heard it. In fact, for a short time, I was embarrassed to pull out of my driveway when there were neighbors out in their yards. However, I have gotten used to it, knowing that its a safety feature, and I no longer give it a thought. Hopefully, you will get to that point also. Nonetheless, I completely understand your frustration.

 

Weird I never heard the backup noise, then today I had the windows rolled down while backing up. Oh! That noise. Yeah that is loud. These cars are stupid quiet when all closed up.

 

Can anyone post a video or audio? I know it won't show how loud...but at least we'll know what it sounds like. The only hybrid Lexus I've driven is a 6th gen ES.

 

 

Oh, sorry. I missed that.

 

My neck of the woods doesn't require sound alerts on hybrids yet so I'm always ready to honk at pedestrians. The only sound I can hear from outside is the faint inverter whine and that's because I'm a hybrid driver. Most bystanders wouldn't think it meant a car was approaching.

 

I would think any new hybrid would? what do you drive and were

 

I just got my ES Hybrid and I'm hearing a noise. I'm not sure if this is the sound people are talking about. I hear it in reverse and drive at low speeds. I can't tell if it's at higher speeds.

 

The link you posted says album is empty. Does it sound like the sound I posted in my post above this one?

 

That is the low speed pedestrian warning noise, which is normal.