What does "Spd Vol" do on stereo?

[BradHummer]

I just purchased a 2008 Versa SL hatchback with the upgraded stereo. When you press the "Audio" button, you can adjust balance, fade, treble, bass, and the button beep feedback. I noticed another setting for "Spd Vol" which can be set to "Off," "Low," "Mid," or "High." What does "Spd Vol" do, exactly?

[Kolk1]

Normally, its set up to where as you reach higher speeds, the volume increases. That way when you have it cranked driving down the highway, and come to a stop, it will automatically adjust for the loss of road noise.

[BradHummer]

Interesting. . .and very cool. That would account for the fact that it didn't seem to do anything while I was playing with it in my driveway.

Do you know whether the system monitors background noise through the bluetooth mic or does it determine speed from tire rotation/speedometer in order to automatically adjust volume level?

[Kolk1]

I have no idea. I thought it was by speedometer, but every car could be different.

[kc5f]

I'd say speedometer, since mine doesn't have bluetooth! At the setting I use, I can notice bumps in volume at about 35, 45 and 55mph.

[Frahman]

This feature has been on cards for quite a while, before bluetooth. So my guess is that it is speed related, not noise related.

[Frahman]

Actually, thinking about it, the stereo itself may have a microphone built in....

[srellim234]

Speed related, not sound related. Otherwise it could create a safety hazard if the volume went up when you were approached by an emergency vehicle with a siren on. It would also go up if you were just driving with the windows down at any speed, hence they wouldn't refer to it as "speed volume." I think for marketing purposes if it was sound related they'd probably take a tip from Bose headphones and call it a "background noise cancelling" stereo.

[equlizer]

My Tomtom go720 has this feature as well but somtimes when you come to a stop and its talking, it becomes quite loud so i leave the feature off on both the stereo and the GPS. I personally think its a gimmick.