How loud is the pedestrian warning noise on the 2025 Camry?

Toyota Passenger and Sports Car Forums Camry and Solara
1

Is the pedestrian warning system on the 2025 Camry as loud as the one on the RAV4 Hybrid?

I get that hybrids need to make some noise at low speeds, but when they end up louder than a gas car at the same speed, it seems over the top. I can hear my neighbor’s RAV4 Hybrid pulling into the neighborhood from inside my house, even when I don’t hear other vehicles.

Not sure why hybrids need to be even noisier than a regular gas engine. Has anyone driven or been around the new 2025 Camry to see if it’s as bad?

2

You can lower the volume in the settings.

3

Caden said:
You can lower the volume in the settings.

I hadn’t heard that. Where in the settings is it, and how many volume levels are there?

4

Creg said:

Caden said:
You can lower the volume in the settings.

I hadn’t heard that. Where in the settings is it, and how many volume levels are there?

I don’t think you can adjust it. The only sound setting I know of is for the beep when locking the car.

5

Creg said:

Caden said:
You can lower the volume in the settings.

I hadn’t heard that. Where in the settings is it, and how many volume levels are there?

There are three volume levels. You can find it in the digital cluster under PCA (I think that’s the right acronym). Just select it and use the arrow buttons to adjust.

6

Yeah, it’s annoying. My relative has both a RAV4 and a Camry, and they sound about the same. It’s not necessarily super loud, but the tone of the sound makes it stand out. When you’re inside the car, though, it’s not really noticeable.

7

I haven’t found mine to be that loud, even in a garage where sound usually echoes.

8

The RAV4 only has a speaker up front, so it has to be loud enough to be heard while reversing.

The Camry has a speaker in the front and back, so it doesn’t need to be as loud. It’s noticeable, but to me, it sounds like a failing wheel bearing or CV joint.

The best way to decide is to test drive one and have someone drive it in EV mode while you stand outside and listen.

That said, it won’t help much with people wearing earbuds or those who are deaf. But for visually impaired pedestrians, it does serve a purpose.

It’s illegal to disable it, but it’s just a speaker, if you get what I’m saying.

Also, if you run the heat or A/C, the engine will usually kick on, so the noise won’t be an issue. I tend to use sport mode just to keep things quiet in my neighborhood.

9

@Keir
I saw a video where a RAV4 owner wrapped the speaker in sound-deadening material to tone it down.

I wouldn’t want the car to be silent, but it would be nice if the noise level was more in line with a gas engine at low speeds. I’ve heard that the newer hybrid systems may have a less obnoxious warning tone than previous models. Anyone noticed a difference?

10

@Creg
If you unplug the speaker, it’ll throw a warning on the dash. Some people use a resistor in place of the speaker to trick the system.

I’ll never admit to doing it, though—don’t want to upset the blind advocacy groups and the Karens of the world.

11

@Keir
Can you not use the A/C on the 2025 Camry without the engine starting?

12

Creg said:
@Keir
Can you not use the A/C on the 2025 Camry without the engine starting?

You can use it, but it depends. If the battery is full, you can run the A/C for a while before the engine kicks on to charge it. Heat requires a warm engine, so that’ll usually turn it on right away.

Once the system is up to temp and in normal cycling mode, the engine will turn on and off as needed.

13

Creg said:
@Keir
Can you not use the A/C on the 2025 Camry without the engine starting?

The A/C compressor is electric, so it doesn’t need the engine to be running. If your battery is close to full, you can run the A/C for about an hour before the engine turns on to recharge it.

14

This is one of the things stopping me from getting a 2025 Camry. I really wish they still sold a gas-only version. These pedestrian warning sounds are a deal-breaker for people who like driving with the windows down.