Reverse Sound

[chl]

The reverse alarm is there for a reason. The truck is very quiet, you don't want the misfortune of hitting someone. It really isn't that loud. I know what you are thinking, my truck will automatically stop and alert me that something is there. Maybe it will, I wouldn't stand behind my truck wnile my wife tried to back over me.

I would just point out the obvious - if you disable this federally mandated safety system and someone gets injured as a result, your civil liability will likely be enhanced. (Why not ask you insurance company what they think about disabling it?)

It is also a violation of federal law (and perhaps your state law) to disable it.

So you have been warned.
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Yes, it can be 'annoying' but some back up noise is required, as is the low speed warning noise, by federal law. It was mandated for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

As the linked device mentions in the disclaimer:

Per Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 141, manufacturers are required to equip certain hybrid and electric vehicles with pedestrian alert sounds to enhance safety. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. By purchasing this product, you accept full responsibility for its use and any associated risks. MegaOhm Motorsports accepts no liability for injury, property damage, or consequential damages resulting from the installation or use of this product.
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The modifying or disabling of this system is prohibited (federal law):

"... prohibits vehicle manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and motor vehicle repair businesses from rendering the sound system inoperative, though they may alter, replace or modify the alert to remedy a defect or non-compliance with the proposed safety standard. Manufacturers may not provide anyone, other than a dealer, a device designed to disable, alter, replace or modify the alert.... manufacturers who violate ...can be subject to civil penalties, and may be required to recall vehicles that fail to comply with the standard.. "

https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...requirements-for-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles

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Disclaimer

I am an attorney licensed to practice law in Virginia.

However, the above should not be considered legal advice for your particular situation. You should therefore not rely on the above and instead consult competent legal representation in your state if you have a potential case or controversy needing resolution.

This is not a solicitation for legal representation.

The law can and does change over time as news laws are passed, new cases decided, etc.

I did not do a complete search to see what amendments/changes have been made to this law since it was first proposed and enacted, so do not rely on the above which is provided for information purposes only. This does not constitute legal advice. You should consult a competent attorney for your particular legal situation.

So the above may include information about past results not guaranteeing future outcomes.

The above information is for general knowledge, not personalized legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship or privilege.

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[RLXXI]

I would just point out the obvious - if you disable this federally mandated safety system and someone gets injured as a result, your civil liability will likely be enhanced. (Why not ask you insurance company what they think about disabling it?)

It is also a violation of federal law (and perhaps your state law) to disable it.

So you have been warned.
----
Yes, it can be 'annoying' but some back up noise is required, as is the low speed warning noise, by federal law. It was mandated for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

As the linked device mentions in the disclaimer:

Per Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 141, manufacturers are required to equip certain hybrid and electric vehicles with pedestrian alert sounds to enhance safety. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. By purchasing this product, you accept full responsibility for its use and any associated risks. MegaOhm Motorsports accepts no liability for injury, property damage, or consequential damages resulting from the installation or use of this product.
---

The modifying or disabling of this system is prohibited (federal law):

"... prohibits vehicle manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and motor vehicle repair businesses from rendering the sound system inoperative, though they may alter, replace or modify the alert to remedy a defect or non-compliance with the proposed safety standard. Manufacturers may not provide anyone, other than a dealer, a device designed to disable, alter, replace or modify the alert.... manufacturers who violate ...can be subject to civil penalties, and may be required to recall vehicles that fail to comply with the standard.. "

https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...requirements-for-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles

---
Disclaimer

I am an attorney licensed to practice law in Virginia.

However, the above should not be considered legal advice for your particular situation. You should therefore not rely on the above and instead consult competent legal representation in your state if you have a potential case or controversy needing resolution.

This is not a solicitation for legal representation.

The law can and does change over time as news laws are passed, new cases decided, etc.

I did not do a complete search to see what amendments/changes have been made to this law since it was first proposed and enacted, so do not rely on the above which is provided for information purposes only. This does not constitute legal advice. You should consult a competent attorney for your particular legal situation.

So the above may include information about past results not guaranteeing future outcomes.

The above information is for general knowledge, not personalized legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship or privilege.

It's one of those stupid laws enacted by a stupid government bureaucrat. There is NO law against the consumer modifying the vehicle. Only those that make and/or service same.

If one is not paying attention enough to get in an accident (at fault) they should have put the damned cell phone down. That my friend is called failure to maintain control, the back up beeper won't have any bearing on any civil case working or not.

 

[WXman]

It's also illegal to drive above the speed limit. I bet you do that weekly, maybe daily.

First thing my wife asked when I got my truck is "why does it sound like a construction vehicle?" I'll likely just unplug my speaker. Wrapping the connection in tape is cheaper than buying a fancy module.

 

[b.go]

My Lightning makes zero noise in forward motion, and I've even startled people while pulling up near them in a parking lot. In reverse, I want a sound to be made so people will know I'm backing up. I do understand why one would want to temporarily block the reverse sound, but that sounds is hardly as loud as a V8 or turbo diesel.

 

[reddog21]

It's one of those stupid laws enacted by a stupid government bureaucrat. There is NO law against the consumer modifying the vehicle. Only those that make and/or service same.

Not true at all, pedestrians are 35% more likely to get hit by an EV than ICE. All major countries have the same requirement this is not specific to the US.
It is 100% against the law for a consumer to modify any auto safety equipment.

 

[NeighborGeek]

IIRC, the 2025 trucks have a different sound that is a softer tone. Either way, it’s still annoying to everyone around you when you’re hooking up a trailer at a campground in the morning.

Every time I see a complaint about the reverse sound I wonder what people are talking about. Maybe this is why, I drive a 25 Flash and have never noticed any sound when in reverse. Maybe there's something like the same sound it plays when in drive and I just haven't noticed the difference, but certainly nothing as obnoxious as other people seem to experience.

 

[RLXXI]

Not true at all, pedestrians are 35% more likely to get hit by an EV than ICE. All major countries have the same requirement this is not specific to the US.
It is 100% against the law for a consumer to modify any auto safety equipment.

Bs.

 

[P-38]

Every time I see a complaint about the reverse sound I wonder what people are talking about. Maybe this is why, I drive a 25 Flash and have never noticed any sound when in reverse. Maybe there's something like the same sound it plays when in drive and I just haven't noticed the difference, but certainly nothing as obnoxious as other people seem to experience.

Interesting...either you have hearing problems or something is wrong with your 25 or they don't use the same sound in 25....

It is a loud backup alarm like what you find on job sites. It's different/new to people on a passenger car but common on larger trucks. It is annoying at 3AM but I have no plans to eliminate it.

Now a better forward motion sound...that would be nice

 

[NeighborGeek]

Interesting...either you have hearing problems or something is wrong with your 25 or they don't use the same sound in 25....

It is a loud backup alarm like what you find on job sites. It's different/new to people on a passenger car but common on larger trucks. It is annoying at 3AM but I have no plans to eliminate it.

Now a better forward motion sound...that would be nice

Nope, I definitely don't have that.

 

[RLXXI]

Interesting...either you have hearing problems or something is wrong with your 25 or they don't use the same sound in 25....

It is a loud backup alarm like what you find on job sites. It's different/new to people on a passenger car but common on larger trucks. It is annoying at 3AM but I have no plans to eliminate it.

Now a better forward motion sound...that would be nice

I can't hear the forward noise it makes on my 25 and the reverse warning is a low dull beep.

 

[PJnc284]

Maybe they adjusted it on the 25's after all the complaints. Swear you can hear my 23 from a block away when backing up.

 

[homeboy]

Here is another alternative. Change the sounds entirely.

You'll need to be a bit handy electrically to do this.
(14) Hacking the Pedistrian Warning System Sounds | Ford Lightning Forum For F-150 Lightning EV Pickup: News, Owners, Discussions, Community

 

[21st Century Truck]

I used this Brigade Electronics directional Shhh Shhh sound (no piezo beep!) on my last several gasoline cars, to good effect and without causing annoyance to others.

It's a simple bolt-on to any metal bolt in the rear, and a wire tap into the reverse light... an easy - peasy installation if you can turn a ratchet and choose a socket.

https://brigade-electronics.com/en-us/warning-systems/backup-and-warning-alarms/


No need for it on the Lightning, of course.

 

[Athrun88]

Any way to set it up so we can toggle the reverse beeps? I was thinking of just wiring in a switch but wonder if there's a more eloquent way of going around it. I'd want to do the same with the frunk beeps as well.

 

[PJnc284]

MegaOhm has a remote controlled one but it's $200

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