[blnewt]

The back-up horn is NOT the horn button horn. Two completely different horns.

Yeah, just tested our horn tonight, doesn't seem muffled at all

 

[garyahouse]

...the horn button horn...

Now there's an interesting description. I'm gonna need some aspirin...

 

[Liphotoman]

Just bought a 2024 Hybrid andthis is still a major issue. I no longer have the dexterity in y hands needed to attempt the fixes described here. What concerns me is that hyundai has known of this issue for at least 2 yers and has done nothing. I can’t drive the car this way and not get fined by my HOA. Had I known I would not have bought this car. Dealers should be mandated to disclose this. There was NOT noise like this in my test drive. ( I wonder if the dealer disconnected in their demo vehicles?). Is there not a way to just remove or disconnect that speaker?

 

[Tampa8]

Just bought a 2024 Hybrid andthis is still a major issue. I no longer have the dexterity in y hands needed to attempt the fixes described here. What concerns me is that hyundai has known of this issue for at least 2 yers and has done nothing. I can’t drive the car this way and not get fined by my HOA. Had I known I would not have bought this car. Dealers should be mandated to disclose this. There was NOT noise like this in my test drive. ( I wonder if the dealer disconnected in their demo vehicles?). Is there not a way to just remove or disconnect that speaker?

Sell the car and move on would probably be the prudent thing to do if you can't find anyone who can do any of the suggestions in the pages and pages of them here to lower the volume. Hyundai doesn't see it as an issue so no, they have not changed it.

 

[Liphotoman]

Sell the car and move on would probably be the prudent thing to do if you can't find anyone who can do any of the suggestions in the pages and pages of them here to lower the volume. Hyundai doesn't see it as an issue so no, they have not changed it.

ANyone want to buy a 6 day old Tucson?

 

[Rocket]

I have a hard time believing that an HOA has the authority to fine anyone over a feature that's required by federal law, even if the implementation is less than ideal.

 

[Liphotoman]

Federal law does not require > 90 Db. Seems no other car is that loud. City ordinance does not allow over 85 DB between 11 pm & 7 am, 9 am on weekends. The alarm makes lots of sense - it is the level kf the sound thst is unreasonable.

 

[Tampa8]

I have a hard time believing that an HOA has the authority to fine anyone over a feature that's required by federal law, even if the implementation is less than ideal.

HOA's can do what is called overlapping laws. As long as the Federal, State, or local laws are followed they can modify their version.

Example - If the Local law is 80 decibels at 11PM is allowed, the HOA can not make it 85. But they can make 60 decibels, thus still meeting the requirement of not over 80. You have to know how to read laws. The Local isn't saying you have a right to be at 80 Decibels, only that it can not be over that. A Subtle but big difference.

Or this, "HOA laws cannot override city laws by stating, for instance, that residents don’t have to maintain their properties, but they can take them further or increase penalties for failure to comply with them. An example of taking the laws a step further for HOA residents might include enforcing penalties on lawn growth when the grass reaches 6 inches in height instead of the city-regulated 12 inches of growth."

Note that States can have laws different than Federal (OSHA) if they do not go against Federal Laws. Connecticut for instance has it's own work safety rules (CONN OSHA) that meet but also exceed the Federal laws.

So looking at a car back up sound, I'm guessing if the HOA does not go under the Federal Decibel requirement, if the Hyundai one is too loud they can simply say you must go by the lowest Decibel level Federal Law allows. It would make an interesting court case I don't know if a Judge would allow it or not. Or if any HOA would even take that on as a legal cost.

 

[blnewt]

Don't have a neighbor that can put 3 strips of gorilla tape over the horn panel? Hopefully you do

 

[Tampa8]

Don't have a neighbor that can put 3 strips of gorilla tape over the horn panel? Hopefully you do

That was my subtle point but I think I made it too subtle.

Given the solutions available it's making a mountain where none exist. Maybe a molehill. Yes I do think the HOA could get involved and who wants to fight that even if in the end you win, a very valid concern. But the fix is so easy.

 

[Liphotoman]

Don't have a neighbor that can put 3 strips of gorilla tape over the horn panel? Hopefully you do

I'm going to TRY the gorilla tape solution - sounds reasonable but still allows for enough noise to warn a pedestrian.
I don't know IF the HOA would actually fine me, but they could if they want to. New Board coming in next month & I'll no longer be on it. And since I've had this car, the 4 neighbors closest to me have all been away on vacation. One neighbor, however, several houses away, but who cannot See my driveway, did ask me if I was having work done because they heard the beeping on what sounded like a construction truck coming from my driveway. (and my dogs hate the sound, too!) My neighbors are all OLD (In Florida!). THe only one under 60 is a surgeon - I don't see him putting his fingers thru a grille!

As for the discussion back a ways about increased liability by lowering the horn, as a retired attorney I can tell you that if you hit a pedestrian, you're liable. Period. Even if they're wearing headphones, not paying attention, etc, you're going to be liable. You can try to defend using a theory such as Assumption of Risk, or shifting causation, but I doubt it will work. Bottom Line - driver must be 100% aware. Disabling just makes the case a bit easier for the pedestrian.

 

[Tampa8]

I had to testify at trial as the first on the scene of a child hit by a car backing out of a driveway in Ct. This did not involve a back up alarm it was many years ago. The 6 yr old child darted from their yard across his driveway to go to the ballpark down the street and received moderate injuries. The driver was acquitted.

Now insert into that situation an EV backing out with a disabled alarm. Possible different outcome? No one thus far has convinced me disabling a safety system can't make things worse. 34 years seeing accidents, testifying at trials etc tells me if neglect isn't involved, no drugs no alcohol, paying attention, you have a decent chance of less charges or less punishment. Not always and I don't disagree if you hit a pedestrian most times you are at fault, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
BTW some States now do assign blame to both if the pedestrian also was not paying attention.

 

[Liphotoman]

You're obviously talking a Criminal case. Very different than Civil.

 

[blnewt]

I had to testify at trial as the first on the scene of a child hit by a car backing out of a driveway in Ct. This did not involve a back up alarm it was many years ago. The 6 yr old child darted from their yard across his driveway to go to the ballpark down the street and received moderate injuries. The driver was acquitted.

Now insert into that situation an EV backing out with a disabled alarm. Possible different outcome? No one thus far has convinced me disabling a safety system can't make things worse. 34 years seeing accidents, testifying at trials etc tells me if neglect isn't involved, no drugs no alcohol, paying attention, you have a decent chance of less charges or less punishment. Not always and I don't disagree if you hit a pedestrian most times you are at fault, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
BTW some States now do assign blame to both if the pedestrian also was not paying attention.

The lowered volume of the taped-up speaker is still quite a bit louder than my Jeep w/ magnaflow muffler when backing up. I could see if the horn was removed or bypassed that would create a possible liability should an accident occur.
@Liphotoman I'd go ahead and give the tape a try, I think you'll find that the volume is sufficient for the warning need but not so obtrusive that the HOA will come knocking.

 

[Tampa8]

The lowered volume of the taped-up speaker is still quite a bit louder than my Jeep w/ magnaflow muffler when backing up. I could see if the horn was removed or bypassed that would create a possible liability should an accident occur.
@Liphotoman I'd go ahead and give the tape a try, I think you'll find that the volume is sufficient for the warning need but not so obtrusive that the HOA will come knocking.

If I had the Hybrid I would likely do the tape and it is very likely at the level or above the Federal regulation. I have heard it at the dealer and it is loud for sure.

 

[Liphotoman]

If I had the Hybrid I would likely do the tape and it is very likely at the level or above the Federal regulation. I have heard it at the dealer and it is loud for sure.

I wish I had heard it at the Dealer. THey pulled the car up for me so that I never had to go in Reverse for my test drive. Then, later on, when I asked about the parking assist that moves the car forward & backward. they used a non-hybrid model to demo it for me. I wonder if they did that on purpose so I wouldn't hear the noise, or is it just not something they've ever focused on. As for the Gorilla Tape - is there something special abt that tape, or can regular duct tape be used instead? THanks for all the help here. Hope I can get this done.

 

[blnewt]

I wish I had heard it at the Dealer. THey pulled the car up for me so that I never had to go in Reverse for my test drive. Then, later on, when I asked about the parking assist that moves the car forward & backward. they used a non-hybrid model to demo it for me. I wonder if they did that on purpose so I wouldn't hear the noise, or is it just not something they've ever focused on. As for the Gorilla Tape - is there something special abt that tape, or can regular duct tape be used instead? THanks for all the help here. Hope I can get this done.

The gorilla tape is black so you won't notice it and it has better adhesive quality so you won't ever have to re-do it, but yeah, regular duct tape will work and at least you'll know what to expect w/ your "new" volume. I think you'll be much happier

 

[Liphotoman]

I heard from my dealer today about this issue. THe Dealer said "Just open the hood and unplug the speaker." Seriously, this is from the dealer. He said they can't do it, but they can offer advice & its up to me to take it or leave it. I asked how I am supposed to get to it & was told to unscrew all the things above it. OY!

 

[blnewt]

I heard from my dealer today about this issue. THe Dealer said "Just open the hood and unplug the speaker." Seriously, this is from the dealer. He said they can't do it, but they can offer advice & its up to me to take it or leave it. I asked how I am supposed to get to it & was told to unscrew all the things above it. OY!

Bad advice, just do the tape. If you were to hit someone backing up this would all come back on you, not the dealer, they'd just say "we never told him to do that". Just my 2 cents.

 

[Liphotoman]

Bad advice, just do the tape. If you were to hit someone backing up this would all come back on you, not the dealer, they'd just say "we never told him to do that". Just my 2 cents.

exactly!