Audible warnings barely audible (2021 Rogue SL)

[eman2222]

I am very disappointed with the audible warnings for the blindspot and rear cross traffic alerts. If a car is in your blind spot, the red warning light comes on in your side mirror, and if you put your turn signal on, the red warning light in the mirror blinks multiple times and there is a faint beep, just one beep, and it’s barely audible and basically inaudible if the radio is on.

I appreciate the fact that there is an audible warning, but if you’re going to provide an audible warning, it needs to be audible, and more than just one beep. The audible warning should continue and beep multiple times while the hazard is still there. It is my understanding that this is how Nissan programs their cars across the entire line and I just don’t understand it.

I was driving on the tollway today and I had the radio on and as I approached a tollbooth, the radio volume turned down automatically and a voice came on saying “toll booth approaching.” If Nissan can turn down the radio and announce a very loud audible voice that a toll booth is approaching, why on earth would they not basically do the same thing when there’s a car in your blind spot or when there’s rear cross traffic when you’re backing up, two very real and imminent dangers. Is there any chance they will be a software update in the future to correct this issue?

[VStar650CL]

I can't speak for the BSW because frankly I haven't seen a '21 for a BSW issue yet, but I'm a bit surprised if it's a single beep. BSW/LDW has always been 3 beeps in the past and I thought it was pretty well done. Color me clueless if they changed it.

That said, Nissan has a long history of keeping alerts unobtrusive and not annoying -- until recently there wasn't even a seat belt chime on most models -- but IMHO, the way the RCT/MOD is handled is smart. The MOD warning has always been a single beep, but it's always been a unique single beep. I can tell you from experience that you get very attuned to it because of its uniqueness. It has only one meaning when you're in reverse: Hit the damn brake. I'll buy an argument that the volume could be louder, but in my opinion the warning itself is perfect, especially on a car that has RAB to correct your mistake if you miss or ignore it.

[eman2222]

Thanks for your reply. The blind spot warning is definitely one beep. I had my wife driving on the highway with me and with her driving next to me tried it 3 or 4 times. Just one faint beep and not audible if the radio is on with any volume. Same thing for the RCT alert. One faint beep. We tried that one multiple times too with my wife driving down the street as I was backing out of the driveway.

My wife has an MDX. On her car, multiple loud beeps for RCT or BSW and it doesn’t stop beeping until the hazard is gone. I get that Acura is a more premium brand than Nissan, but a beep is a beep and I guess my question is why not make it louder or more persistent. Because it will annoy people? These audible warnings can be turned off, so if it annoys someone, then just turn it off. I really hope this is something Nissan looks to change in future software updates.

[VStar650CL]

The blind spot warning is definitely one beep. I had my wife driving on the highway with me and with her driving next to me tried it 3 or 4 times. Just one faint beep and not audible if the radio is on with any volume.

That's disappointing and senseless. I agree with you, at highway speed with highway noise, a fairly loud alert is called for. Maybe Nissan will realize it and change it.

Same thing for the RCT alert. One faint beep. We tried that one multiple times too with my wife driving down the street as I was backing out of the driveway. My wife has an MDX. On her car, multiple loud beeps for RCT or BSW and it doesn’t stop beeping until the hazard is gone. I get that Acura is a more premium brand than Nissan, but a beep is a beep and I guess my question is why not make it louder or more persistent. Because it will annoy people?

Yes. I have a salesman friend with an MDX and if there's one thing about it that he hates passionately, it's that RCT alert. Or "alarm" might be more appropriate. Your choices are a fire alarm or no warning at all, and it keeps barking even after you've turned and looked. To me that seems pitifully unnecessary. Like I said, you become very attuned to that little beep, and at parking lot speeds it doesn't need to be annoying to do its job. Beep, brake, turn and look. It grows on you, and you don't need a hideous alarm that won't shut up.

[eman2222]

Ha, right, the MDX RCT alert is definitely an alarm. STOP STOP STOP!!!! I don’t mind it, though. It’s unmistakable and makes me stop. With the Rogue, I agree that the RCT alert is more audible than when you’re driving on the highway, but again, if the radio volume is anything but low, it’s just not audible.

[VStar650CL]

It could be louder, or adjust itself for radio volume. I'll definitely buy that.

[eman2222]

Do you know if the car will automatically brake to a stop when the RCT alarm goes off if you don’t stop it yourself?

[VStar650CL]

Yes, anything with RAB will stop you if the person or object enters the sonar detection zone (and the corner sensors are quite powerful). The optics will usually detect a moving object sooner, which is why the beep goes off first.

[firebirdude]

I'm pretty certain mine is 3 quick beeps.

[eman2222]

I'm pretty certain mine is 3 quick beeps.

Which? Rear cross traffic or blind spot warning? Or both?