Tesla Model 3/Y Pedestrian Warning System & Boombox

[@philbuckle]

My house has very steep driveway down to the garage and I have to go in forwards. I've tried going down in reverse but when you drive out forward you can only see the sky! So I really need this feature because at the top of my driveway is a pedestrian footpath with lots of use from people with dogs and kids on bikes etc. There is no way that they can hear me coming up the drive because I am going so slow. If it was an Ice car they would hear me reving like crazy to get up the steep slope. It's so steep that my 2015 Golf often stalls or shudders like crazy reversing up. The Model 3 of course handles this effortlessly and quietly but it is dangerous for pedestrians. I really HAVE to get this feature. Thanks for a great video.

[@notinthemanual]

Yes the car is definitely safer with the speaker fitted. Sounds like you have a good case for one. My daughter has a Hyundai i30 and it's near silent when it's running especially from behind or in a shopping centre car park. The VW Tiguan diesel I used to have definitely wasn't though. It depends on the car and the situation but EVs are extremely quiet and you need to be vigilant.

[@pyt]

Thanks Matt for taking the trouble. But this sounds terrible and I prefer the silence. I think the active safety features and cameras do more than enough to offset the lack of ICE noise.

[@notinthemanual]

I am currently trialling a piece of duct tape over the speaker grille and it’s much better 😂 It was waking my my kids up as I left in the morning.

[@57wadey]

I have an EV in the street and I can hear the car from tyre noise and I'm on the 1st floor! 🙂

[@DuzBee]

I agree, sound and the actual purpose is moronic. I want an electric car not an ICE, I want silence. I won’t be buying another Tesla and if I do I’ll cut the wires to the speaker, making a noise to help keep stupid people safe, who aren’t paying attention.

[@trizedlyza]

Educational. I wondered what that weird sound was in reverse in the Tesla. Some hybrid cars, Nissan maybe, make this weird symphony of angels singing sound and I always look up at the sky when I hear those in the parking lot. When driving forward I didn't know Teslas (or my Hyundai) hybrid made any fake noise, people walk right in front of your car, then act surprised when the tires make a sound on any rocks or twigs.

[@pkerry12]

yep you can load custom sounds to boombox

[@notinthemanual]

Yes there are a couple of sites you can download from if you can’t be bothered making your own. It’s a shame you can’t change the volume when using it as an external speaker for music.

[@57wadey]

Why would anybody spend $60k+ to eliminate air & noise pollution and then spend another $300 to bring back uncontrollable and unwanted noise??? Just crazy ! 🤪

[@notinthemanual]

Yes. I was shocked by how loud it was. Forward is perfect but reversing is unnecessary loud. Wanted to warn everyone with this vid.

[@notinthemanual]

I’m currently trialling a duct tape solution 😂

[@57wadey]

@@notinthemanual At least if it used a regular reversing alarm like trucks & machinery, everybody would know what the noise is warning of. A non generic sound makes no sense. Hopefully the software developers heeds the feedback. Great work Matt.🙂

[@balisingh143]

​@@notinthemanualhow did that go with duct tape? I mean cover it when not needed? I want this feature but dont want to get stuck with too loud unwanted sound.

[@notinthemanual]

@@balisingh143 The duct tape works well. I gradually covered up most of the holes on the plastic cover. I have left one row of holes and this gives an acceptable volume for me. This won’t be possible for factory fitted PWS speakers. The speaker now replaces the vehicle horn. Pretty crazy. I’m hoping my new model Y was built before the factory started fitting them.

[@farmerfarmerer3847]

Thanks for making these videos - always high value.

[@notinthemanual]

Thanks Farmer!

[@Dan4096]

I'd love to disable mine. My mum's Golf is near-silent at parking speeds so I fail to see why electric cars need it.

[@notinthemanual]

Totally agree. I didn’t get one fitted to my new Model Y. If your PWS wasn’t factory fitted and you have a normal horn you can partially cover the speaker holes with tape. If the PWS also acts as your horn then you need that to be loud.

[@Dan4096]

@@notinthemanual yeah I'm pretty sure mine is combined with the horn

[@notinthemanual]

@@Dan4096 Hopefully Tesla enable some sort of customisation.

[@user--PM]

my fremont m3 rwd i can't hear the going forward noise at all from inside, but the backup noise is very noticeable, and coming from a ICE automatic, im still learning how to back up well, as i am generally used to keeping my foot on the brake to back up, now i have to try and feather the throttle to move slowly. otherwise i have gotten quite used to how it drives. had it a little over a month now, and it took a little over a month for delivery after placing my order. only one option, color blue.

[@notinthemanual]

Thanks PM. Congrats on the new car. Yes I got used to one pedal driving pretty fast as I drive the car everyday but my wife still prefers the roll setting when she drives it occasionally.

[@user--PM]

i left is on default settings, and rarely touch the brake pedal, i wouldn't mind getting the regen braking set to a stronger level, as if i dont need it all i just dont release the throttle as much.

[@maxgill5620]

Matt, Great info & I think i owe you a drink for saving me $300 unless they update the noise and volume

[@notinthemanual]

No problem Max 👍 I’ll hold you to that 😜

[@deficator750]

i was about to purchase this upgrade but having seen this video i won't go ahead with it. not neccessary.

[@notinthemanual]

This is why I made the video so people can make an informed choice. I haven’t fitted one to my new model Y. Not until they improve the functionality of at least allow us to change the volume and sound.

[@thesamuelnam]

Wait. So I don’t get it because mines 2022?

[@notinthemanual]

It seems to be random but I don’t think yours would have a speaker fitted.

[@pwatts8846]

I've just purchased the Y second hand, it is compliance place 7/22 and it doesn't havethis feature installed. Looking at getting it done. Very helpful video.

[@notinthemanual]

@@pwatts8846 I’m glad my video was helpful. Enjoy your Y. I sold the 3 in this video and I have a Y now too and love it.

[@dbooth2008]

My brand new Model 3 was built in November 2022 and the PWS was not fitted to it. I have a service booked for next week to have it retro-fitted.

[@notinthemanual]

Great thanks for confirming that. Looks like they haven’t been fitting them until Dec 22/Jan 23

[@fisherrr333]

there should be a kind of single same sound approved across all vehicles, not a mess of sounds which would pollute carparks with odd noises and rathe confuse pedestrians. Some work to do for Govt I think. Meanwhile I would think of custom V8 noise and reduce record level for the reverse in a sound editor.

[@notinthemanual]

I agree. The white noise that the car makes in forward is perfect and similar to other manufacturers noise generators. People will get used to the weird sounds eventually and just assume it’s and EV but we are a long way from that point. At least the Tesla can be updated easily when they decide to do this.

[@DuzBee]

This isn’t entirely accurate. There is a phenomenon that happens with humans regarding audible and visual cues. We become blind to matching repetitive sounds, shapes and colours. Such as safety colours hivis orange and yellow work shirts and reverse buzzers in mining. People are still getting hit because they tune out to the same repetitive sound and didn’t hear it, like wise the driver didn’t see the hivis orange shirt because everyone wears them and they lose their effectiveness.

[@pkerry12]

i have a starwars blaster on mine :D

[@notinthemanual]

Awesome. I went for Star Wars too. R2D2.

[@rleyba828]

Great technical video as always, Matt. Quick one, do you know if they will eventually make it mandatory here in Australia?

[@notinthemanual]

Thanks. I wasn’t able to find anything on that. I’d say that they will eventually. It will be something for the EV haters to pick on.

[@DuzBee]

Our 2023 Australia delivered Model Y doesn’t have it and thank Fuck for that. How embarrassing, catering for morons who shouldn’t have a licence and pedestrians who aren’t paying attention. In reality there is so much ambient noise in todays world that people become ‘noise blind’ and the effectiveness would be low if not non effective.

[@minoberi]

My 2022 Y isnt fitted with one and i have been quoted $290 to have it installed. I purely wanted to be able to change the lock sounds of the car, so if i cant turn off the forward and reversing sounds i won't go ahead with having it retrofitted

[@notinthemanual]

Forward is fine as it’s just like a white noise. It’s just that horrible reverse sound. I have now traded this car for a Model Y last August and I haven’t fitted a PWS to my new car yet for the same reason. Here in Australia they will become a legal requirement at some stage so I’ll resist as long as I can.

[@allmylifesacycle]

Do you know at what forward speed the PWS shuts off? I assume it does, or is it just drowned out by the tyre noise.

[@notinthemanual]

Hi John. It’s active below 33km/h.

[@JohnD0129]

Can you adjust the volume for the boombox speaker ?

[@notinthemanual]

No adjustment I could see. I used duct tape over the speaker holes. I have now traded this car for a MY and I won’t be fitting a PWS speaker until you can adjust it.

[@kenyoung4881]

Use the app to control volume.

[@2024301]

Great video, thanks

[@notinthemanual]

Thanks!

[@healeydave]

I had one retrofitted by a mobile technician but he didn't seem to know anything about getting boombox installed. AllI have is the reverse and forward sounds.

[@notinthemanual]

That’s weird. It’s a firmware update to activate it. Can’t be done remotely. I’d message service through the app.

[@healeydave]

@@notinthemanual Did your technician connect a laptop up to your car then?

[@notinthemanual]

@@healeydave I had it fitted at a service centre. They definitely said they need to connect to the car and load firmware. I didn’t actually see what they did though.

[@healeydave]

@@notinthemanual Ah, ok, I have sent a couple of messages via the Messages section in the Service menu in the Tesla App but I haven't had a response yet. It took them days to process the original service request though, so I guess I'm just going to have to be patient. They seem much slower to respond these days here in the UK.

[@notinthemanual]

@@healeydave I found their knowledge on the PWS to be pretty poor here in Australia. Service was as helpful as they could be though. They are probably busy fitting accessories to the record numbers of cars they are selling. Definitely not as fast to respond here either but very helpful when they do.

[@kentyler3962]

I can't imagine actually wanting your car to make noise. I would unplug that darn speaker immediately.

[@notinthemanual]

Yes. You don’t get used to it. It’s amazing how Tesla don’t allow people to customise the noise in reverse. The white noise in forward is good enough for both directions. I’m glad my new Model Y doesn’t have one fitted.

[@maxgill5620]

Matt ,Off topic is that a mag safe mount directly behind your steering wheel as I am considering mounting my phone for the purpose of using waz Thanks Max

[@notinthemanual]

Check out my previous video on the buttons. I put a link to this mount there but it’s not mag safe. That’s my cheapo android I use for ScanMyTesla so it’s a vice type mount. I am going to be reviewing a mag safe mount in the next week or so that will be perfect for that. I’ve been looking for a good one for a while to mount in line of sight. This one will even unlock using Face ID. I was hoping to get it mounted and filmed today but got too busy. I’ll try and film during the week.

[@Hypa81]

Can you talk through the app if looking at Sentry Mode Cameras?

[@notinthemanual]

Yes, you can also make farts sounds 😳. Sorry I forgot to include this.

[@Hypa81]

@notinthemanual That's brilliant, now just need instant notifications when someone is setting off Sentry mode. Thanks for the reply.

[@notinthemanual]

@@Hypa81 That would be nice to have that feature. I might make a short on the live sentry mode PA feature. I actually filmed this but forgot to add it in 🤦‍♂️

[@DuzBee]

Also, modern day ICE cars at low speed are as quiet as a Tesla, so if it’s such a hazard then why don’t ICE cars have it. It’s a slippery slope, they will make you have it on all the time, I can see it happening.

[@notinthemanual]

My daughter’s i30 is silent at idle until the thermo fans kick in.

[@andrewadams4000]

Why does it stop when going forward its supposed to go until its 18 mph

[@notinthemanual]

I made this video a year ago. Currently it’s 33km/h (21mph). I don’t remember if it was a different speed back then. Once you get close to these speeds the tires become the biggest source of noise anyway. This system definitely needs to be customisable. I haven’t fitted a PWS to my Model Y yet.

[@andrewadams4000]

@notinthemanual i get the tire speed thing = noise but until it goes that fast why isn't it making a noise and I almost got hit by a tesla in a parking lot today and if it had been making a noise it could have been completely avoided so I looked it up and can't find any proof that they actually make that noise and if the driver can turn them off or down then they are useless 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@notinthemanual]

@@andrewadams4000 I only explained the tire noise thing as I thought you were asking why they turn off after a certain speed. The noise can’t be turned off or changed by the driver. I agree 100% they should make some noise at car park speeds but it needs to be a noise that pedestrians associate with a car. I drive both EV and petrol cars regularly I haven’t had a single incident with my EV but our Hyundai i30 is pretty silent from the front and I have had people walk right out in front of me when driving that car. You need to be careful in any car as so many people are looking at their phones instead of where they are going and you need to be aware. Kids can just run out regardless of noise. Most of the time it’s the driver not being careful enough. If drivers are careful and people look before they walk out then it’s a non-issue. But real life isn’t that perfect. It’s for those times when pedestrians or drivers aren’t paying attention that the sound is needed. You can’t just put the blame solely on either party.

[@notinthemanual]

@@andrewadams4000 Just to clarify by customisable I meant being able to change the sound it makes to something that can be associated with a car. The current white noise sound could be improved in my opinion.

[@andrewadams4000]

@notinthemanual I think the law says it supposed to make the same reverse noise when it's going forward until the speed specified but pedestrian have right of way in parking lots and you aren't supposed to go over 15 mph in them so the sound should be on the whole time it's in a parking lot I unload peoples car for work and the amount of times I've almost been hit by people speeding 30+ is astounding

[@pkerry12]

I love the fart function in boom box I use it to scare people near the car hehehehe

[@frh219]

Thanks for the great video. For the forward noise, at what speed will it go away or turn silence?

[@notinthemanual]

It’s active until 33km/h. Is get progressively louder as you speed up.

[@frh219]

@@notinthemanual thanks ! can this pedestrian warning system once installed be turned off on the display screen ?

[@notinthemanual]

@@frh219 It can’t be turned off unfortunately. One of the reasons I made this video was to let everyone know this. I currently have some duct tape covering most of the speaker grille and it’s a much better volume in reverse.

[@georgebarc]

My understanding is that it's a very new thing. Mine which was made in Feb 23 has it but my mate who picked up his in Dec 22 didn't

[@notinthemanual]

Thanks George. I read that cars arriving early this year had it active but wasn’t sure if the earlier cars had the hardware installed or not and just need it activated but I doubt Tesla would go to the expense. The owners manual mentions some cars built prior to Nov 21 might not have it fitted.

[@HermanWillems]

My 22 march has it.

[@notinthemanual]

@@HermanWillems I think it is random depending on which country you live and where the car was built.

[@slimjim1125]

My April '23 Model 3 which was built in Shanghai and delivered to NZ doesn't have normal horns, instead it uses the PWS speaker for ALL external sounds, including thr UFO sound while reversing, and the horn. The wiring is there for the horns, but 12v isn't present when the horn is pressed. This is disappointing because I hate the sound of the PWS, and I have no idea why people would volunteer to pay money to have it fitted.

[@notinthemanual]

That’s why I made this video to warn people. It’s obviously a good safety feature but just a terrible way to do it. I can’t believe they have replaced the standard horn! I have a model Y on the way that was built on 12th of May but I don’t think they were fitting PWS at factory for Model Y until end of May. Fingers crossed. I have duct tape over the speaker grille which makes it sound much better but if the normal horn is gone it makes that difficult.

[@cs6757]

My Highland doesn’t do this 🤔

[@notinthemanual]

@@cs6757 I’ve noticed the M3 Highlands here in Australia are much quieter in reverse.

[@DuzBee]

It’s a stupid and idiotic device, I’m so glad our 2023 Australia Delivered Tesla doesn’t have it. Drivers need to watch where they are driving and pedestrians need to watch where they are walking. We are catering for morons not paying attention.

[@notinthemanual]

I was happy to find out that my new Model Y missed out on the factory fitted PWS. A couple of weeks later and it would have had one. This speaker now replaces the normal horn which means you can’t tape over it. The white noise sound it makes in forward is pretty good and would be useful backing out of a blind driveway but as you said if you’re careful it isn’t needed. The horrible loud noise it makes in reverse is unnecessarily loud and so unusual people won’t recognise it as a car.

[@thesamuelnam]

I really want boom box just to troll people.

[@notinthemanual]

I left it out by accident during editing but you can even troll remotely using the app during live sentry mode.

[@arnienz1962]

the noises are horrible. I want to get something like this for my kids but i I wish it was a normal familiar sound.

[@notinthemanual]

Yes. I was torn between safety and noise pollution. It’s a real shame Tesla have done it this way. I decided not to fit one to my new Model Y until they improve it.

[@AlainFattal]

great video

[@notinthemanual]

Thanks Alain!

[@jason-ub8qz]

that sound is like a drill to my head. the legislation doesnt say you have to put high peach sound. they can put an actual engine sound instead of this tortuer device sound .

[@notinthemanual]

Totally agree!

[@andrewadams4000]

It's not bad at all reminds me of the Jetsons

[@TwanJaarsveld1]

its a shame it can't be used while driving

[@notinthemanual]

@@TwanJaarsveld1 I think in the beginning you could make the horn sound anything you like while driving and it got banned.

[@jimmydeneus7109]

🙏

[@DuzBee]

The stupid thing about it is the amount of children that get killed every year in their own drive way but their own parents in ICE vehicles. Reality is noise won’t stop it from happening.

[@notinthemanual]

I haven’t seen anything relating those incidents to noise or EVs. That is definitely a vision thing and reversing cameras + ultrasonics do a lot to reduce the risk. I know we were paranoid & never reversed out of our garage without checking the kids were safe inside beforehand. No one should have to go through that.

[@pkerry12]

I have a 2023 model 3 lfp boombox is something that came with the car.

[@notinthemanual]

Yes. They started factory fitting them and turned up on Jan deliveries. Model Y is now starting to come with PWS fitted.

[@jalogrono]

I’ll wait until they make it mandatory to have it😅

[@notinthemanual]

I think you won’t be alone there

[@DuzBee]

Yer absolutely, I’m not out in any rush to buy one for our 2023 Model Y. So glad it didn’t come with one. Modern day brand new ICE cars at low speed are as quiet as a Tesla, next thing they will have the speaking going 24/7 at all speeds, you wait and see!

[@pingumy]

why not mandate ALL cars regardless is EV or not to make those stupid sound to be fair.

[@notinthemanual]

Yes. Plenty of very quiet petrol cars and hybrids.

[@BigLeafDropper86]

Hate it, thanks for the demo

[@notinthemanual]

They could have done a much better job with this feature…..

[@pinhosekbor138]

Too.much talking

[@notinthemanual]

Thanks for the feedback but that’s my style. I’ll save you some boredom and suggest you don’t watch my other videos as I do even more talking. I think KZbin shorts would be something you would prefer.