Lots of threads about this on the various Tucson forums. One search term to use is "VESS".

 

Yes, there's at least one YouTube video demonstrating a way to do that. I did it and my neighbors are happy.

 

Would you please give me a brief description of the fix? I have viewed 2 or 3 and they all seemed pretty difficult. TIA!

 

Blocking the VESS speaker will muffle some of the sound on the outside of the vehicle, but you are likely to find it actually a little more audible on the interior of the vehicle, because if the sound doesn't get projected out the front of the speaker, some of it will find it's way from the engine bay into the interior.

 

I cut a heavy duty coat hanger, bent it into a hook at one end, fished it through the grille with the help of a well placed flashlight pulled the connection off, then put dielectric lube on the contacts for corrosion protection, etc. This was much easier said than done but it worked.

 

3 layers of electrical tape on mine and I'm happy enough. I do like it to make some noise as it helps keep distracted pedestrians from walking into the side of my car when I'm backing out of a parking space.

 

That's a pretty good idea... the access through the grill is so tight though! Also, as a side note, does anyone else think it's kinda odd to put the reverse beeper in the front?

 

The "loud pipes save lives" guys have sound coming out the rear even though they're going forward.

 

Yes, that's a pretty lame idea too. They saved their lives only after they made it through. No one hears them coming but everyone suffers after they go through.

In Hyundai's case, having only 1 speaker in the front saved them whatever expense in running wiring to the rear and adding a separate speaker. Would have made more sense. I would have also liked the generic "car moving" noise they use when going forward in slow speeds instead of the backup beep. I guess they figured the backup beep is kind of universal for meaning "dump truck moving in reverse".

 

I have owned 2 Prius and someone found a hack to make this a single beep and done. As I recall dealers finally relented and did this on the quiet. Has anyone looked for a fuse?

 

I've posted the hack before, but here ya go... The Virtual Engine Sound System, or VESS, was mandated by the NHTSA for EVs and Hybrids a couple of years back. Hyundai added the VESS speaker in the front of he car, but overcompensated with the sound so as not to require a rear speaker. This was accomplished by cranking up the volume to about 95 dBA! The requirement is approximately 56 dBA, so this was overkill. I thought of several ways to lower this sound because disabling a safety system is a no-no, not to mention the single fuse controls about 5 things. I decided to use a closed cell rubber pad with adhesive on one side. They can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V2XF895/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 You'll need to cut them down from 6" x 6" to approximately 5" x 5" with a pair of scissors. Remove the adhesive covering and slide the piece through the grill and simply align it onto the VESS speaker (on the driver's side, behind the front grill) and press it onto the VESS surface, being sure to cover the entire face. Once it is secured in place the volume will be reduced to approximately 56 dBA. This is plenty loud enough to alert folks without sounding like a trash truck in reverse! I've had mine on for about 6-months with no sign of wear or movement, but you'll have spares should it fall off.

 

Here is the same with a larger quantity: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P1XV4D7?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

Great tip CJ. I applied the dense foam and it reduced the alarm noise by about 50%. Thanks much!

 

I tried replacing it with a Barry Manilow recording, but my neighbors found that worse!🤪😜

 

Someone finally made an official complaint to Hyundai. Let's see how it would be addressed.

 

I just picked up my 2022 Tucson Hybrid SEL last night. I was a little concerned about the volume of the backup alarm as it was after 10 when I got home, but it didn't really sound that loud to me in the cabin. Granted, I couldn't roll down the freshly tinted windows, but it sounded much softer than I've people complaining about. This morning I had to pull the car out in the driveway for a few minutes and opened the sunroof before reversing back into the garage. The VESS did not sound particularly loud to me then.

 

We went with 3M vinyl wrap film in matte black:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078X3Z1XX?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I figured it was made to take the elements, which is a good thing considering its located front & center behind the grill, taking whatever Mother Nature dishes out on the road often @70+MPH!...

2 layers softened the sound to be quite tolerable and there was plenty leftover for future replacement, if needed.

 

I've posted the hack before, but here ya go... The Virtual Engine Sound System, or VESS, was mandated by the NHTSA for EVs and Hybrids a couple of years back. Hyundai added the VESS speaker in the front of he car, but overcompensated with the sound so as not to require a rear speaker. This was accomplished by cranking up the volume to about 95 dBA! The requirement is approximately 56 dBA, so this was overkill. I thought of several ways to lower this sound because disabling a safety system is a no-no, not to mention the single fuse controls about 5 things. I decided to use a closed cell rubber pad with adhesive on one side. They can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V2XF895/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 You'll need to cut them down from 6" x 6" to approximately 5" x 5" with a pair of scissors. Remove the adhesive covering and slide the piece through the grill and simply align it onto the VESS speaker (on the driver's side, behind the front grill) and press it onto the VESS surface, being sure to cover the entire face. Once it is secured in place the volume will be reduced to approximately 56 dBA. This is plenty loud enough to alert folks without sounding like a trash truck in reverse! I've had mine on for about 6-months with no sign of wear or movement, but you'll have spares should it fall off.

We went with 3M vinyl wrap film in matte black: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078X3Z1XX?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I figured it was made to take the elements, which is a good thing considering its located front & center behind the grill, taking whatever Mother Nature dishes out on the road often @70+MPH!... 2 layers softened the sound to be quite tolerable and there was plenty leftover for future replacement, if needed.

 

Would doing this void the warrenty in any way?

 

If you're talking about the film in front of the speaker, I wouldn't think so. You're not making any physical alterations to anything that impacts whether it works or not.

 

Yep, that's what I meant. Thanks!

 

All Tucson Hybrid owners will fully enjoy this ultra-annoying gift to the sane world by Grandma Pelosi. Do the research. While everyone can empathize with the disabled among us navigating through a modern world, the VESS siren was a major goal by lobbyists hired by the national blind/deaf organizations back around 2010/11. It was one of the first Woke pieces of legislation pushed in the 111th Congress and signed into law by Obama. The Trump administration killed it for a time but, you guessed it, it later received a second life and the manufacturing rule was implemented with a vengeance.

Love the hybrid, hate the government interference - same as bringing those pet peacocks onto a crowded aircraft. Has the world gone PC mad? My neighbors down the block think so, especially when I make a Dunkin’ run at 7 a.m. daily.

Please take this stuff somewhere else.

 

I just posted my solution.

2022 Tucson Hybrid VESS backup alarm Mod

Hello Everyone, I really enjoy taking my Hybrid Tucson camping and visiting National parks and outdoor areas. One thing that I absolutely hate is arriving at the campsite ( god forbid it's late at night or early morning) and having to back up with the VESS disturbing the peace of nearby campers...

www.tucson-forum.com

 

I went the neoprene pad route and I believe it reduced the volume by half. I'm OK with that as there's still some warning, just not nearly as annoying.

 

Has anyone gotten into the habit of gunning it in reverse for one beep then hitting neutral to coast the rest of the way back without the sound to avoid disturbing neighbors, wildlife, etc.?

 

I have not, but I might now lol

 

I just used one of these foam pads to muffle the speaker on my 23 PHEV. Didn't even have to trim it - stuffed it into the center area of the grill (in front of the radiator), removed the backing and slid it to the right to cover the speaker, then pressed it firmly all around the edges. It took a little doing, but wasn't bad at all.
I'd say it works VERY well. Doesn't silence the back up alarm completely, but you can stand in front of the car without jumping out of your skin when it gets put into reverse. The sound gets muffled down to a reasonably soft "beep". The VESS sound was a bit quieter than the tires on the pavement.
Very happy with this (after one day).

 

I just used one of these foam pads to muffle the speaker on my 23 PHEV. Didn't even have to trim it - stuffed it into the center area of the grill (in front of the radiator), removed the backing and slid it to the right to cover the speaker, then pressed it firmly all around the edges. It took a little doing, but wasn't bad at all.
I'd say it works VERY well. Doesn't silence the back up alarm completely, but you can stand in front of the car without jumping out of your skin when it gets put into reverse. The sound gets muffled down to a reasonably soft "beep". The VESS sound was a bit quieter than the tires on the pavement.
Very happy with this (after one day).

What size did you use? 4X4? I got the 6X6 and they are too large to fit through the grille.

 

Yes, I understand but there are three holes over the speaker. I take it you used the middle one and then pushed the top of the pad up and the bottom down to cover the speaker. I used the bottom hole and pushed the pad all the way up to cover the speaker.

 

I see. Frankly I don't recall exactly which of the holes that are close to the speaker that I pushed the foam through. I just picked one, then positioned the foam in front of the speaker, pulled off the backing, and pressed the foam on to the front of the speaker to cover it up.

 

Anybody notice? There are speaker grill slots on the back of that POS too.

I like the post that shows how to unplug the thing and wire up a connector and switch, but over $100 for the connectors is insane.

 

In reviewing the job I did, I wonder if I needed that much of a square. The speaker is now hidden from my view but I do remember at the top was a horizontal opening and I think that that is where the sound comes out. If so much less of the foam is necessary.

Anybody notice? There are speaker grill slots on the back of that POS too.

I like the post that shows how to unplug the thing and wire up a connector and switch, but over $100 for the connectors is insane.

How did you manage to see the slots in back?

 

Now that I'm driving the car I can't notice any difference in volume. I must have messed up pretty badly. Foam not sticking? Mis-located?

 

It looks like it may not be too difficult to remove the entire grille. I'm going to check that out.