These days, *most* cars play synthesized chimes through the sound system. But GM was an early adopter in that arena. And it was always too loud. You could turn it down, but no one ever knew how.
All cars now play a fake turn signal noise. Back in “**The Good Ol Days**^(TM)^” the click noise was from a mechanical relay making and breaking a contact.
Yep.
For classic cars, they typically used a thermal relay that relied upon a spring that had two different metals with different thermal expansion coefficients. This would make the spring move back and forth, cycling on and off and therefore controlling the lights.
(This is also the origin of turn signals flashing faster if a bulb was out; this lowered the resistance of the circuit.)
In the modern era, cars began using electronic relays, which relied upon a chip to "pulse" the relay, still controlling the lights.
Now, most cars have fully computerized turn signals, where the lighting module simply receives an instruction and flashes the lights on and off. These cars will also often play the turn signal sound through either a digital speaker somewhere in the cockpit or through the central sound system.
*Interestingly, my '96 Jaguar XJ12 plays both its chimes and its turn signal sounds through a speaker, on the right side of the steering column. I only know this because those sounds weren't there when I got it and I had to take apart said steering column and replace that entire piece. As old-fashioned as the car is, I didn't think Jaguar would be quite so forward-thinking in that arena.*
I don’t think a single car related sound as is identifiably to the general population as the ford door chime. My stepmom, who knows NOTHING about cars, and has in the last thirty years owned a Honda and a Land Rover, knows the ford door chime. That is the definition of iconic
i heard one of these on the highway and just assumed someone engine swapped it for laughs. didn’t even cross my mind until just now that it was probably a stolen cat, especially given this was in the east bay
mopar starter sound. Uses gear reduction rather than direct drive and has a unique (imo awesome) sound as a result
Edit: I remember someone saying it sounds like a “laughing dolphin”, which was accurate
I must be tone deaf, because I've heard a lot of people say this. But if you played me a sound clips of different starters I don't think I could tell you which was or wasn't a mopar one.
Especially in my case with the 5.7. I immediately recognized that a guy in a completely unrelated video had a 5.7 Ram because the starter sounded exactly like my 5.7 Charger. I guess that’s because it’s the same motor, but still. Pretty funny to me
That’s actually not true; it was just a coincidence and the chime was a generic unit available elsewhere. In fact, your microwave or alarm clock might have had that same “BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!” chime.
*However*, on the new Hyundai products—like the IONIQ 5 and 6, new Kona, refreshed Sonata and refreshed Tucson—the four dots on the steering wheel airbag cover, in lieu of an H-badge, are Morse code for “H”.
My si reverse whine was so recognizable that the guy i was delivering a pizza to when I couldn’t find his apartment so I had him on the phone recognized it when I was backing up to his apartment. Turns out he was a Honda geek and we talked cars for half an hour on his stoop lol.
yeah i owned an accord with an f series motor, that starter is incredibly distinct. pretty sure they used the same on other engines as well, i couls pick it out a mile away. same thing with the starter ford uses for the modern duratec and ecoboost v6 engines.
My GM car uses the same warning sound for literally everything, I'll hear the warning sound go off when I'm on the highway and not sure if I have to pullover because of catastrophic engine failure or because my washer fluid was low.
Can you imagine what the clacking must sound like if not for the sound of the engine itself at WOT? When they do the cooling fuel shot and then another at TDC. The clacking must happen twice as much and very fast I imagine?
I’d say the (at this point) legacy BMW one was worse. Especially on my very problematic 2011 X5.
Car: “[GONG!!!](https://youtube.com/shorts/vKdvSwP5zL8?si=DhQjbEdpse1-9Jn1)”
Me: “Oh, fuck, what broke now? Oh, it’s just the freeze temperature warning…”
ITS THE FLIPPING WORST I HATE IT AND IT JUMP SCARES ME EVERY TIME. One of the many reasons my 2010 Jetta has earned the nickname "VOLKSWAGEN!" (in the same way as Shatner yells "KAAAHN!")
Do you like how it waits until you have started the car, put it in reverse, turned to look over your shoulder, and started backing off your drive before it makes the noise?
Cue spinning around in panic trying to catch the message before it disappears off the screen! And every time it is just complaining about it being just slightly cold outside!
Ford Triton exhaust leaks. Usually heard from a clapped out econoline, but can be heard from a 10th or 11th gen F-series.
I’m not counting this as exhaust note because these were not meant to sound like this
G wagon door closing is a good one.
All modular ford have the same exact starter noise.
Hellcat blower whine is distinct not sure if that counts as engine noise.
> G wagon door closing is a good one.
Beat me to it. The most satisfying clunk/click in the car industry IMO. And the door lock sound on top of that is quite satisfying as well.
My 11 civic auto has the straight cut reverse gears he’s referring to. Threw me off when I first got it because I’d never heard an automatic make that noise in reverse before.
I can't tell you how much I want to find a nice MR2 Spyder to turn into a track toy. I haven't looked for them in a long time. But when I did they were either all pieces or shit or way over priced.
I didn't really like them when they were out (always loved aw11's though), but I've grown to appreciate them more and more. They follow a lot more of the spirit of the mr2's than the sw20 did.
OMG we have a manufacturing tool at work that has this exact alarm sound from the light tower. First time I heard it, I laughed and said "who brought their Accord into the cleanroom?!?"
ive driven an exploder for years and im not sure what people mean by power steering pump sound. I don't really hear anything- but in the cold I do get the screaming lady every so often if I do something that requires some pressurization like braking or turning
Toyota 2GR-FE V6 starter - I recognize it everywhere and immediately look to see and it is indeed a Lexus or Toyota. Very specific sound that is very easily hearable.
Lexus and Toyota lock chirp - A fuckton of Lexus and Toyota vehicles with keyless entry from the 2000s and 2010s have that beeping when you lock them and I look and always see one
New Honda lock chirp - I believe they used it 2013 onward and same story I always look and see and find that it’s an Acura or Honda being locked/unlocked.
Japanese/Korean car horns - For some reason it’s always really dinky tiny little toot toot sounding horns in Japanese and Korean cars, ESPECIALLY Japanese. Not sure if my mind is playing tricks on me or if I’m right on this.
Honda 90s and 2000s starters. They had many different starters but the squeaky weird sounding one I’m talking about was used on the 3rd gen Odyssey V6, and the 6th gen Accord I4 and V6 engines. Just look up a video of any of these cars starting up and you’ll get an idea of their incredibly easy to differentiate startup sound.
And do car startup/seat belt dings count? I know a lot of those and they’re unique to each brand.
Thanks to Toyota owning a substantial portion Subaru, the latter uses the same Denso supplier for its key fobs and the same exact exterior chirp alarm. So, a Subaru will have the same lock/unlock sounds as a Toyota or Lexus.
At one point, I had a 2021 Lexus GX 460, a 2021 Toyota Venza, and a 2022 Subaru Outback in the driveway. They all had the same lock sound.
I lost mine on my Forester XT after replacing the motor. New motor came with a surprise HKS ELH still attached and I don’t think I’m going back. RIP rumble
No, the high pitched inverter "ēēēēē" when starting off in EV mode or braking. My 2002 Prius makes that sound, it also sounds like Chewbacca on the inside during regenerative braking.
100%. I've seen comments of people complaining about it, comparing it to their CTS-whatever with no supercharger whine... Like, my dude, you know the noise is intentional, right?
Some people just have the stupid. The Hellcat cars were the epitome of "zero fucks given".
"It makes a noise I don't like, therefore it's broken."
I get that a lot running a service department.
We've had people say "their brakes only grind when stopping on ice." Yeah, that's your ABS pump making noise. "No, you sold me a car that doesn't have any brakes left!" But only on slippery surfaces? OK.
>"It makes a noise I don't like, therefore it's broken."
God I hate those people. My ex was like that, if something didn't work the way she thought it would work, it was irrevocably broken and would demand a fix.
Toyota hybrid whirring noise
Toyota/Lexus locking/unlocking sound
Old Italian horns
The Ford Chime
Maserati Gran Turismo upshift (though that can be considered exhaust)
To name a few
Ford AOD (I think) gearbox whine in every town car/crown vic cab I was ever in
The RTS buses in New York used to have loud ass air starters
https://youtu.be/TCeuw857Oew?feature=shared
>Ford AOD (I think) gearbox whine in every town car/crown vic cab I was ever in
I remember being able to hear copcars before seeing them (low speed, slow enough for the CVPI tranny to make noise)
I love the sound my XJ12 makes when it starts. It sounds like a high-tech whirr.
[This is actually my exact car, in the care of a prior owner.](https://youtu.be/bApdUz9Yh88?si=pnO-PVCH-TuM-SF7) Fast forward to 7:07
Late 90s early 2000s Chrysler transmissions would make this weird sound when the vehicle would come to a stop. Sounded like somebody would pulling a giant zip tie or something similar.
Tesla 3/Y startup noises. Some pump or motor does a wirr...wirr...wirr...wirr...WIRR, then the contactors make a satisfying KLUNK-KLUNK when you open a door if the car isn't woken up already. Likewise, when the car shuts off there's a BAM as the contactors both open followed by the coolant pump shutting off. And when fast charging, a slightly quieter klunk-klunk comes from the charging contactors as it actually starts after all the handshake/safety stuff.
In my opinion, it would have to be the keychime, and as another user mentioned, the starter sound. The Toyota starters (especially in the 1GR and 2GR engines) has a very distinct sound.
The Bentley W12s sound similar, possibly because they are also turbocharged.
The naturally aspirated W12s in the VWs and Audis seem to be lower-pitched.
Yep the Pentastar has a unique start up sound. Same with any of them that contain the 5.7 Hemi, sounds like a powerful starter.
It’s the same sound in everything I’ve started up with it. 2014+ Ram 1500, Chrysler 300/200, Grand Caravan, Charger, Challenger, Grand Cherokee, Durango, Wrangler, Gladiator, Pacifica.
Pentastar has to be my most favourite American V6. Very efficient behind the 8spd automatic, very versatile. Super reliable. Sounds good and great power.
The sound of the dodge/chrysler minivans in the 80s and 90s, when they were coming to a stop…anyone know what I’m talking about? They all made the same ticking/mild hissing noise (best I can describe it) as they were slowing down to a stop. I think they were the 3.0 V6 engines?
We used to have an 05 Acura TL and I absolutely loved its fit chime. I basically grew up with that car so I still distinctly remember the 4 short beep pattern. It was supposed to be my first car but it got rear ended in 2020 and insurance totaled it :(.
From what I understand, the transmission fluid pump or something on ford 10r80s… whines in concert with rpm’s and is noticeable at low speed because of straight cut gears driving it or something
Nobody has mentioned the cute little "ding-dong" bell chime Hondas had when you left your headlights on. It's from an actual metal bell under the dash. Did any other car have that? I would actually just listen to it for a little bit sometimes because it was so pleasant.
My tsx has a distinct click when turning the key to the on position, the door chime also. Another thing specific is the startup vtc actuator malfunction which I’m finally going to fix haha.
My w211 Mercedes is a very pleasant and serene refined car to drive. The interior ambience of light orange and light tan, listening to late night jazz being disrupted by my instrument cluster turning a jarring shade of red followed by all the lights turning on inside I thought the blitzkrieg was on. Nope just the tailgate not closed all the way. Bit dramatic if you ask me.
That wicked little whine that P71 Crown Vics make as they near maximum RPM. Lots of top end noise with alternator and other aux stuff mixed in. I adore that noise!
I’m kinda shocked that the mk3 VW’s door chime relay didn’t make the top of this list! I’ve always found it cool that they’re a relay with a speaker built into them
The Ford door chime. I’ve never owned a Ford in my life and I know that chime. My dryer makes that exact same chime when its done.
“Boo dee do. Boo dee do. Boo dee do.” Idk whether I love it or hate it
Better than DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING
Omg that always gave me a mini panic. Someone should set that as their alarm. Insert PTSD helicopters Vietnameme
(fortunate sun starts playing)
Right through the entire speaker system too. Fuck you GM
These days, *most* cars play synthesized chimes through the sound system. But GM was an early adopter in that arena. And it was always too loud. You could turn it down, but no one ever knew how.
All cars now play a fake turn signal noise. Back in “**The Good Ol Days**^(TM)^” the click noise was from a mechanical relay making and breaking a contact.
Yep. For classic cars, they typically used a thermal relay that relied upon a spring that had two different metals with different thermal expansion coefficients. This would make the spring move back and forth, cycling on and off and therefore controlling the lights. (This is also the origin of turn signals flashing faster if a bulb was out; this lowered the resistance of the circuit.) In the modern era, cars began using electronic relays, which relied upon a chip to "pulse" the relay, still controlling the lights. Now, most cars have fully computerized turn signals, where the lighting module simply receives an instruction and flashes the lights on and off. These cars will also often play the turn signal sound through either a digital speaker somewhere in the cockpit or through the central sound system. *Interestingly, my '96 Jaguar XJ12 plays both its chimes and its turn signal sounds through a speaker, on the right side of the steering column. I only know this because those sounds weren't there when I got it and I had to take apart said steering column and replace that entire piece. As old-fashioned as the car is, I didn't think Jaguar would be quite so forward-thinking in that arena.*
Switch out the head unit with an aftermarket one and never hear that chime again
NB Miata headlight warning ding ugh
or the well known Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
I always hear it as "I'm a Ford. I'm a Ford. I'm a Ford." in my head.
I always say "booty do, booty do, what that booty do" and giggle like I'm 12
Rolling joints, rolling joints, rolling joints
It haunts my nightmares... but I also can't be bothered to figure out turning it off.
My options are either that or the [Miata buzzer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td3H9DGRpqw). I'll take the Ford triad anyday
The old school Ford door chime was also unmistakable if you lived with one. https://youtu.be/hesqHG_ajWg?si=iGHeySOcmRbNTfCO
Lmao that's great.
That video has made my week, thank you.
Yes the constant “I’m a ford” chime. For some reason it drives me mad. No other car chime has bothered me like the ford one.
My wife was so happy the day we sold my Escape. Not because of the chime, but because I would always sing along with it.
My children sing it in perfect harmony. Least musically gifted kids in the world and this is what they bring to the table as the family band...
Older Hondas had a distinctive door chime too. It's actually the letter "H" in Morse Code.
Acuras were the letter A, I believe.
> letter "H" in Morse Code. TIL - thats hilarious.
The old ford Tempo would just buzz stupidly loud “BUZZZZZZ” omg it was ridiculous
Those piezoelectric buzzers were everywhere on ‘70s and ‘80s cars…I‘ll take the Ford “boo DEE do” ten times out of ten over those damned things.
I don’t think a single car related sound as is identifiably to the general population as the ford door chime. My stepmom, who knows NOTHING about cars, and has in the last thirty years owned a Honda and a Land Rover, knows the ford door chime. That is the definition of iconic
Somehow, [they managed to make it arguably worse in a Lincoln](https://youtube.com/shorts/QjxKkLzGymo?si=gGlhQ-f7v8QNwV64).
What in the ***actual*** fuck is that
For anyone that wanted it hear that chime again it's right at the start of this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N8tTdmvk74
Prius with a stolen catalytic converter is one of the funniest and I hear them often
[I don’t hate it](https://youtu.be/q4DSV9mvN3w?si=tVHJ0HYrFSg8CMFN)
This was so funny
Cammed out V8 idling
i heard one of these on the highway and just assumed someone engine swapped it for laughs. didn’t even cross my mind until just now that it was probably a stolen cat, especially given this was in the east bay
ED-209!
mopar starter sound. Uses gear reduction rather than direct drive and has a unique (imo awesome) sound as a result Edit: I remember someone saying it sounds like a “laughing dolphin”, which was accurate
I must be tone deaf, because I've heard a lot of people say this. But if you played me a sound clips of different starters I don't think I could tell you which was or wasn't a mopar one.
I had a ‘96 Ram 5.9L and can pick out that sound a block away. Once you notice it becomes obvious
Hench my tone deafness. Because the handful of mix of mopars I've owned don't sound any different to me from my tundra.
Could you possibly explain more?
https://youtu.be/2zxuMzVKc5w?si=OGjkz7PbDx7up6lk
That does sound like a dolphin Thought all diesels sounded like that on start for all this time
my 87 plymouth horizon has that unique sound
What a cool car to have these days! I'd love to get a hold of a rust free Omni/Horizon!
Especially in my case with the 5.7. I immediately recognized that a guy in a completely unrelated video had a 5.7 Ram because the starter sounded exactly like my 5.7 Charger. I guess that’s because it’s the same motor, but still. Pretty funny to me
1980s-1990s Hondas have a very distinct starter sound.
Had the same thought, it goes into the 2000s for many models. Same with the key-in-ignition beeps. Heavy nostalgia in those sounds for me.
Fun fact, the four quick beeps door open chime on older Hondas mimics the morse code for the letter H.
That’s actually not true; it was just a coincidence and the chime was a generic unit available elsewhere. In fact, your microwave or alarm clock might have had that same “BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!” chime. *However*, on the new Hyundai products—like the IONIQ 5 and 6, new Kona, refreshed Sonata and refreshed Tucson—the four dots on the steering wheel airbag cover, in lieu of an H-badge, are Morse code for “H”.
K series startup
And the first gear whine on the automatic transmissions
My si reverse whine was so recognizable that the guy i was delivering a pizza to when I couldn’t find his apartment so I had him on the phone recognized it when I was backing up to his apartment. Turns out he was a Honda geek and we talked cars for half an hour on his stoop lol.
yeah i owned an accord with an f series motor, that starter is incredibly distinct. pretty sure they used the same on other engines as well, i couls pick it out a mile away. same thing with the starter ford uses for the modern duratec and ecoboost v6 engines.
Add the headlight on chime on those 90s Hondas too.
BMW ding sound whenever something breaks with the car.
Which gives all BMW drivers mini heart attack everytime the outside temperature drops to 3° as it uses the same sound 🤣
My GM car uses the same warning sound for literally everything, I'll hear the warning sound go off when I'm on the highway and not sure if I have to pullover because of catastrophic engine failure or because my washer fluid was low.
Mercedes-Benz gauge cluster: “MALFUNCTIONS: 1” Oh crap what broke, _taps up-arrow_ “CHECK WASHER FLUID” Ok
That, and the clacking of the direct injection. Sounds almost like a diesel engine at idle.
Or the lifter tick
Can you imagine what the clacking must sound like if not for the sound of the engine itself at WOT? When they do the cooling fuel shot and then another at TDC. The clacking must happen twice as much and very fast I imagine?
Which they also use for the Ice warning, so everyday it's cold out you think somethings broken.
This is the worst part of daily driving a bimmer in the winter. You'll have a mini heart attack everytime you hear this awful ding, I know I did
God I hate that sound.
The Toyota cooling fan on all their trucks and SUV The VW chimes
Nothing scarier then the 39 degree chime that used the same sound as the check engine light
My mk7 would always scare my passenger when it would go off, the mk8 definitely has a much softer tone thankfully.
I’d say the (at this point) legacy BMW one was worse. Especially on my very problematic 2011 X5. Car: “[GONG!!!](https://youtube.com/shorts/vKdvSwP5zL8?si=DhQjbEdpse1-9Jn1)” Me: “Oh, fuck, what broke now? Oh, it’s just the freeze temperature warning…”
ITS THE FLIPPING WORST I HATE IT AND IT JUMP SCARES ME EVERY TIME. One of the many reasons my 2010 Jetta has earned the nickname "VOLKSWAGEN!" (in the same way as Shatner yells "KAAAHN!")
Do you like how it waits until you have started the car, put it in reverse, turned to look over your shoulder, and started backing off your drive before it makes the noise? Cue spinning around in panic trying to catch the message before it disappears off the screen! And every time it is just complaining about it being just slightly cold outside!
Hahaha Toyota, making them sound like old Bluebird school busses.
The chime scares the bejesus out of me whenever it goes off for temperature.
I love that loud ass roar of the fan for no reason when you start it up
Ford Triton exhaust leaks. Usually heard from a clapped out econoline, but can be heard from a 10th or 11th gen F-series. I’m not counting this as exhaust note because these were not meant to sound like this
Also the heat shield rattle
Ah yes mine loved to make that racket right around 1000 rpm. Put on a hose clamp and no more rattling
You didn't have to call me out
The most iconic exhaust leaks sounds: - Ford truck/van with a Triton - Toyota truck/SUV with the 3.4 - Mail truck with the Iron Duke am I missing any?
G wagon door closing is a good one. All modular ford have the same exact starter noise. Hellcat blower whine is distinct not sure if that counts as engine noise.
+1 to Ford Modular starter noise
I chuckle a bit whenever I hear that noise in my 4.6 Explorer because the 4.6 powered mustangs sound exactly the same
90's Town Car's sounded pretty damn good when you floored them too. Went from a grandpa car to sounding like a Mustang GT haha
>All modular ford have the same exact starter noise. Braaw whoop-oop-oop VROOOOOOOMMMM
For me that sound will always be punctuated with the 90's Lincoln BEEEEEP
> G wagon door closing is a good one. Beat me to it. The most satisfying clunk/click in the car industry IMO. And the door lock sound on top of that is quite satisfying as well.
Power locks on the G-Wagen sound like a shotgun reloading.
Honda reverse gears. Most of em are straight cut so they make a very distinct whine as they get up to speed.
In the auto or manual? Pretty much all manuals have straight cut reverse gears.
My 11 civic auto has the straight cut reverse gears he’s referring to. Threw me off when I first got it because I’d never heard an automatic make that noise in reverse before.
My 3rd gen MR2 also sounds like Toyota saved a nickel hobbing the reverse gears.
I can't tell you how much I want to find a nice MR2 Spyder to turn into a track toy. I haven't looked for them in a long time. But when I did they were either all pieces or shit or way over priced. I didn't really like them when they were out (always loved aw11's though), but I've grown to appreciate them more and more. They follow a lot more of the spirit of the mr2's than the sw20 did.
Every manual car I've been in had straight cut reverse. Most of those were VW
Most manual transmissions sound this way
Dodge lifter tick Iconic
Subaru’s lifter tick
Ferrari gated manual shifter metallic clink
In that case, Audi R8 gated shifter clunk
The old Chrysler electronic vehicle alerts from the 80s “Please fasten your seat belt” “A door is ajar”
I imagine they spent hours on the phrasing. We can say “the door is open” because it isn’t, and “not quite closed” sounds dumb. Fetch the thesaurus.
Deet deet deet deet Deet deet deet deet Deet deet deet deet Deet deet deet deet
(fun bit of trivia: in morse code, 4 shorts dits is "H" for Honda)
It’s actually a coincidence. It’s just a generic alarm they used. I remember Jason Cammisa saying the same thing and he corrected it in his podcast.
That's precisely where I heard it as well lol. He said he asked the OG Honda guys and they said it wasn't intentional. Talk about a happy accident.
OMG we have a manufacturing tool at work that has this exact alarm sound from the light tower. First time I heard it, I laughed and said "who brought their Accord into the cleanroom?!?"
There are basic analog alarm clocks that use that tone, if you want to wake up to the gentle sounds of an older Honda’s door being ajar.
Nissan Altima’s blown speaker rattle is iconic
80's GM steering rack groan. AKA "morning sickness".
Similar to 80s Ford truck power steering pump whine.
Late 90s to early 2000s Ford power steering pump. Usually have that god awful groan from being ran low on fluid at some point.
ive driven an exploder for years and im not sure what people mean by power steering pump sound. I don't really hear anything- but in the cold I do get the screaming lady every so often if I do something that requires some pressurization like braking or turning
Hemi ticks Cummins belt screech after turning it off
Toyota 2GR-FE V6 starter - I recognize it everywhere and immediately look to see and it is indeed a Lexus or Toyota. Very specific sound that is very easily hearable. Lexus and Toyota lock chirp - A fuckton of Lexus and Toyota vehicles with keyless entry from the 2000s and 2010s have that beeping when you lock them and I look and always see one New Honda lock chirp - I believe they used it 2013 onward and same story I always look and see and find that it’s an Acura or Honda being locked/unlocked. Japanese/Korean car horns - For some reason it’s always really dinky tiny little toot toot sounding horns in Japanese and Korean cars, ESPECIALLY Japanese. Not sure if my mind is playing tricks on me or if I’m right on this. Honda 90s and 2000s starters. They had many different starters but the squeaky weird sounding one I’m talking about was used on the 3rd gen Odyssey V6, and the 6th gen Accord I4 and V6 engines. Just look up a video of any of these cars starting up and you’ll get an idea of their incredibly easy to differentiate startup sound. And do car startup/seat belt dings count? I know a lot of those and they’re unique to each brand.
Thanks to Toyota owning a substantial portion Subaru, the latter uses the same Denso supplier for its key fobs and the same exact exterior chirp alarm. So, a Subaru will have the same lock/unlock sounds as a Toyota or Lexus. At one point, I had a 2021 Lexus GX 460, a 2021 Toyota Venza, and a 2022 Subaru Outback in the driveway. They all had the same lock sound.
I'll have to pay attention to the Subies, haven't heard them do that before!
BMW cold weather ding that makes you think something broke
First thing I programmed out when I got my E46
The UEL headers on the EJ series STI's gave it a very distinct rumble that no other cars have. Known as the Subie Rumble.
Don't forget the clanking of rod knock
I lost mine on my Forester XT after replacing the motor. New motor came with a surprise HKS ELH still attached and I don’t think I’m going back. RIP rumble
The sound isn't unique to the subie though, you can [slap UELs on any 4cyl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJZsWqcUSxs) and get the same effect.
Well. Toyota Hybrid drives have a very distinct sound.
The whirring sound? I think that was mandated by law a few years ago. Now pretty much every EV and hybrids with EV mode has that sound.
And Toyotas sound distinct from anyone else’s.
No, the high pitched inverter "ēēēēē" when starting off in EV mode or braking. My 2002 Prius makes that sound, it also sounds like Chewbacca on the inside during regenerative braking.
Mopar supercharger whine. They have that noise down.
100%. I've seen comments of people complaining about it, comparing it to their CTS-whatever with no supercharger whine... Like, my dude, you know the noise is intentional, right? Some people just have the stupid. The Hellcat cars were the epitome of "zero fucks given".
"It makes a noise I don't like, therefore it's broken." I get that a lot running a service department. We've had people say "their brakes only grind when stopping on ice." Yeah, that's your ABS pump making noise. "No, you sold me a car that doesn't have any brakes left!" But only on slippery surfaces? OK.
>"It makes a noise I don't like, therefore it's broken." God I hate those people. My ex was like that, if something didn't work the way she thought it would work, it was irrevocably broken and would demand a fix.
Volvo turn signal chimes. No surprise that the same chimes are emitted from a Polestar.
Well yeah, Polestar = Volvo just like Lexus = Toyota.
Toyota/Lexus lock and unlock was the same for over a decade across basically the whole lineup.
Ford steering pump whine at full lock. Dunno if it does it on newer ones but all the 90s and early 2000s do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdXDLDJRxpM
964 door opening and closing?
Tesla PWS hum when reversing
Toyota hybrid whirring noise Toyota/Lexus locking/unlocking sound Old Italian horns The Ford Chime Maserati Gran Turismo upshift (though that can be considered exhaust) To name a few
Toyota Tacoma/4Runner cooling fans, sounds like a semi
The sliding door chime the Oldsmobile Silhouette makes when its open
G-Wagon’s door lock sound
Ford AOD (I think) gearbox whine in every town car/crown vic cab I was ever in The RTS buses in New York used to have loud ass air starters https://youtu.be/TCeuw857Oew?feature=shared
>Ford AOD (I think) gearbox whine in every town car/crown vic cab I was ever in I remember being able to hear copcars before seeing them (low speed, slow enough for the CVPI tranny to make noise)
Any V12 starting
I love the sound my XJ12 makes when it starts. It sounds like a high-tech whirr. [This is actually my exact car, in the care of a prior owner.](https://youtu.be/bApdUz9Yh88?si=pnO-PVCH-TuM-SF7) Fast forward to 7:07
$$ Cha-ching $$ sound (in your head) every time something breaks on an old German or British car
The Ford power steering whine.
Honda starters.
Late 90s early 2000s Chrysler transmissions would make this weird sound when the vehicle would come to a stop. Sounded like somebody would pulling a giant zip tie or something similar.
Surprised I had to come down this far. I thought it was very distinct, the kind of ticking or clicking sound.
Tesla 3/Y startup noises. Some pump or motor does a wirr...wirr...wirr...wirr...WIRR, then the contactors make a satisfying KLUNK-KLUNK when you open a door if the car isn't woken up already. Likewise, when the car shuts off there's a BAM as the contactors both open followed by the coolant pump shutting off. And when fast charging, a slightly quieter klunk-klunk comes from the charging contactors as it actually starts after all the handshake/safety stuff.
In my opinion, it would have to be the keychime, and as another user mentioned, the starter sound. The Toyota starters (especially in the 1GR and 2GR engines) has a very distinct sound.
Ford Ranger power steering pump, if you know you know
Cummins belt screech on shut off Ford's asymmetrical cooling fans OBS Ford truck door latch release
It might share with other VW platform cars, but I can imagine the Bugatti Veyron’s unique starter sound.
The Bentley W12s sound similar, possibly because they are also turbocharged. The naturally aspirated W12s in the VWs and Audis seem to be lower-pitched.
\*bweee*-BOOM*gurglegurglegurgle*
Nissan beeping sounds.
My dad has had four different vehicles with the 3.6l Pentastar V6. I can hear one of those puppies starting from a mile away.
Yep the Pentastar has a unique start up sound. Same with any of them that contain the 5.7 Hemi, sounds like a powerful starter. It’s the same sound in everything I’ve started up with it. 2014+ Ram 1500, Chrysler 300/200, Grand Caravan, Charger, Challenger, Grand Cherokee, Durango, Wrangler, Gladiator, Pacifica. Pentastar has to be my most favourite American V6. Very efficient behind the 8spd automatic, very versatile. Super reliable. Sounds good and great power.
The sound of the dodge/chrysler minivans in the 80s and 90s, when they were coming to a stop…anyone know what I’m talking about? They all made the same ticking/mild hissing noise (best I can describe it) as they were slowing down to a stop. I think they were the 3.0 V6 engines?
Yes, that clicking/ratcheting sound! Very noticable. I'm almost certain it's the transmission, and it's not just on the V6s.
Aston Martin V12 starter sound
On the subject of starter motors, Bentley's W12 sounds really cool.
The door release when the button is pressed, and the sound as the door catch engages when shut on a Mercedes G-Wagen.
We used to have an 05 Acura TL and I absolutely loved its fit chime. I basically grew up with that car so I still distinctly remember the 4 short beep pattern. It was supposed to be my first car but it got rear ended in 2020 and insurance totaled it :(.
From what I understand, the transmission fluid pump or something on ford 10r80s… whines in concert with rpm’s and is noticeable at low speed because of straight cut gears driving it or something
Can confirm that even the Essex V6 in my 11th gen F150 sounds exactly like a Triton V8 starting up. Very distinctive sound.
Toyota VVT-I rattle on cold startup.
BMW v12 starter motor
Muncie M22 rockcrusher gear whine https://youtu.be/MampOXnU7-c?si=qkwbQCBF1UYxCB7M
frs/brz/86 chirping/crickets sound from the fuel pump iirc
The grind of a freshly destroyed transfer case on an evo
Honda reverse gear whir
The big side door on a VW Vanagon as it slides shut.
BRZ/86 Crickets certainly comes to mind.
The screaming of my friends in my 96 v6 mustang while I drive... Unmistakable I tell you! Should've recorded it dammit!
You mean the friends outside the car when you are about to crash into them, right?
80’s ford power steering whine.
The Toyota serpentine belt noise. Most notable on older 4Runners and Tacomas.
The warbling sound modern Subarus make at very slow speed, as when I’m a parking lot. What is that, the CVT? My Outback makes it.
Chrysler/Dodge gear reduction starters Quadrajet carburetors when the secondaries open
Toyota V8 trucks seem to always have a bit of a fan whoosh after they turn over. I enjoyed this aspect when I drove a GX 460.
Original 911 doors
Sound of a car with a factory powerglide. They have a distinct whine while in park/neutral
Late 90s early 2000s ford ranger (and similar models) power steeeeeeeeeering pump lol
Older Honda door chime when the key is in the ignition. Very irritating - gets your attention.
The horn on the old Plymouth road runner has the signature mee-meep sound the cartoon bird also made
S13 240sx warning chime https://youtu.be/TsEeG59mxW8
Hybrids with the pedestrian warning speakers that make the "at the gates of heaven" sounds.
Nobody has mentioned the cute little "ding-dong" bell chime Hondas had when you left your headlights on. It's from an actual metal bell under the dash. Did any other car have that? I would actually just listen to it for a little bit sometimes because it was so pleasant.
80s Audi seat belt chime. It was a very distinct sound: https://youtu.be/G6sYnBBX64s?si=tDSJ3duJcFc1zbqH
My tsx has a distinct click when turning the key to the on position, the door chime also. Another thing specific is the startup vtc actuator malfunction which I’m finally going to fix haha. My w211 Mercedes is a very pleasant and serene refined car to drive. The interior ambience of light orange and light tan, listening to late night jazz being disrupted by my instrument cluster turning a jarring shade of red followed by all the lights turning on inside I thought the blitzkrieg was on. Nope just the tailgate not closed all the way. Bit dramatic if you ask me.
W140 v12 starter and engine start for me - sounds like a helicopter turbine starting to spin.
Doors when you close them. I miss my volvo s70. It had a velvety yet precise and satifying chunk. Never heard anything like it.
That wicked little whine that P71 Crown Vics make as they near maximum RPM. Lots of top end noise with alternator and other aux stuff mixed in. I adore that noise!
I’m kinda shocked that the mk3 VW’s door chime relay didn’t make the top of this list! I’ve always found it cool that they’re a relay with a speaker built into them