Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Chris_H on 29 December 2009, 11:07:06

Title: Hybrids
Post by: Chris_H on 29 December 2009, 11:07:06

I just walked to the bank and there was very little traffic about.  200 yards from my house is a crossroads that claims quite a few cars and walls and things.  As it was drizzling I had my head down a bit to keep the rain off my glasses and left my green cross code to the last second.  One of these (http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_609/car_photo_304608_7.jpg) (Lexus RX 400h) did a right-turn towards me from a standstill and I only just heard it due to the rainwater shearing off its tyres.  It was about 8 feet away when I clocked it and managed to stay on the kerb.  The only sound apart from the tyres was a very muted high-pitched whine that I noticed as it drew level with me.

I'm sure these thing need some auxiliary warning device that is less aggressive than the horn but aimed at alerting pedestrians.

For a large vehicle it was extraordinarily quiet. :o

Title: Re: Hybrids
Post by: STMO999 on 29 December 2009, 12:30:33

Ah yes. The old kamikaze lexus. Gotta watch out for that one.

Title: Re: Hybrids
Post by: Andy H on 29 December 2009, 12:37:06

Milkfloats used to be surprisingly effective silent killing machines but not so many about now.

Title: Re: Hybrids
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 29 December 2009, 12:40:22

This a real problem, so much so that when I use the Prius, I park it in the least populated part of the shopping centre.

Title: Re: Hybrids
Post by: Chris_H on 29 December 2009, 12:42:21

Quote

Milkfloats used to be surprisingly effective silent killing machines but not so many about now.

I think they often suffered/(benefitted from) diff-whine that helped to hear them coming.  Also our delivery man has a ratchet on his hand-brake that wakes the residents up!

Title: Re: Hybrids
Post by: Richie London on 29 December 2009, 12:55:32

can only hear the milkfloat found here when he goes over the speedbumps

Title: Re: Hybrids
Post by: jereboam on 29 December 2009, 13:19:15

Try living in Holland.  They oil their bikes. 

Your safe from kids, as they always travel in herds and can't ride without shouting their heads off.  (All Dutch communication is carried out at maximum volume as they all rode bikes as kids.)

It's the single adults on the expensive bikes you have to watch/listen out for.  They come at you silently from all directions. :)

Title: Re: Hybrids
Post by: HolyCount on 29 December 2009, 17:25:08

I did hear, somewhere, talk of fitting these silent killers with a speaker producing white noise. No idea if t'will ever come about though.