Don’t you hate it when the noise from your vehicle drowns out the sound of your music? As frustrating as this problem is to have, it can be easily resolved with a speed-sensitive volume system.
This system allows your vehicle to automatically adjust the volume of the stereo by itself depending on how loud it is in the car cabin. Speed-sensitive volume systems also offer numerous benefits to the driver:
Vehicles with speed-sensitive volume systems, also known as SSV systems, are unique in how they adjust the volume of your radio on the fly.
Typically, the noise from driving at high speeds tends to drown out the sound of music and announcements on the radio. You’d have to adjust the volume to hear anything manually.
However, thanks to SSV systems, you can let your vehicle change the volume by itself. The faster you go, the louder the audio gets. This makes SSV systems perfect for long and loud drives such as when you’re on the highway.
Simply put, SSV systems adjust the volume of your vehicle’s radio based on the speed at which you’re traveling. The faster you drive, the louder the sound becomes. Similarly, the slower your vehicle goes, the quieter the sound system becomes. Vehicles with the modules on a network will receive speed information from the ABS module or the PCM and will use that input along with sound sensors to determine how the sound should be adjusted.
The SSV accomplishes this by using a specially-designed microphone mounted in the head unit to determine the volume of the ambient noise inside the cabin, as well as how quickly your vehicle is moving. Typically, the system only activates when your vehicle goes at a speed higher than 35mph. This number isn’t fixed, and the speed at which the system activates varies from vehicle to vehicle.
SSV is widely used for a reason, primarily because these audio systems offer a lot of quality-of-life improvements. For example, drivers won’t have to worry about adjusting the volume of their vehicle’s stereo system manually when they’re in the middle of the road.
SSV control lets drivers fiddle with the settings to personalize their system. For example, you can adjust the sensitivity of the microphone or the speed at which SSV is activated.
When you’re out on the road, you’re bound to be surrounded by noise. An SSV system is capable of drowning out almost any noise, whether it’s from the wind and the road beneath you or the sound of your engine when you drive.
In other words, it’s perfect for long, high-speed drives on the highway. You won’t have to worry about missing announcements and your favorite tunes on the radio when you drive ever again.
Last but not least, one of the biggest benefits of SSV systems is how they’re completely automated. This means you can completely focus on driving while your vehicle adjusts the volume by itself. You won’t have to worry about manually adjusting the volume as you speed down the highway, making you far less likely to get into an accident.
Generally, the process of activating your vehicle’s SSV varies depending on the make. Some allow you to access the volume control settings through the radio itself, whereas others can be switched on with the simple press of a button.
The most common way to turn on the SSV is to activate it via your vehicle’s dashboard computer.
Bear in mind that not all vehicles have SSV systems by default. Despite this, it is possible to replace your vehicle’s stereo system if you’re insistent on having SSV.
If you’re unsure if your vehicle has an SSV system, you can look at its manual, check online, or ask your car salesman.
Turning off the SSV is a process that varies from vehicle to vehicle. For example, disabling the speed-sensitive volume of Nissan vehicles might require a different set of inputs than disabling the SSV of vehicles made by Honda.
Typically, you can turn off SSV in your vehicle by performing the following steps:
However, it’s important to note that sometimes following these steps might not be enough. If an audio control module malfunctions or gets damaged, it might be unable to deactivate or reactivate the SSV system.
If your audio control module is faulty, it would be a good idea to replace it entirely if you want to avoid complications with the SSV system.
There are some vehicles that decrease the time interval between intermittent wiper sweeps as the vehicle picks up speed. There are also cars that will extinguish the interior lights when the vehicle passes a certain speed if the lights are commanded on by a faulty door switch.
Many front-wheel-drive vehicles with electric fans will deactivate the fans when the vehicle surpasses a certain speed because airflow through the condenser and radiator is strong enough to provide sufficient cooling without using the electric fan.
There are some vehicles that decrease the time interval between intermittent wiper sweeps as the vehicle picks up speed. There are also cars that will extinguish the interior lights when the vehicle passes a certain speed if the lights are commanded on by a faulty door switch.
– Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Most aftermarket stereo systems struggle to track the speed at which your vehicle is going. Instead, they use small microphones to detect the general level of volume inside your car cabin. The SSV system then adjusts the volume of the stereo according to how noisy it is in your vehicle.
While there are no overt disadvantages, there are many drivers who would prefer to adjust the volumes of their vehicles themselves. Because of this, they’d rather leave the SSV system disabled.
Another potential issue includes how not all vehicles are compatible with SSV systems. It’s a good idea to ask your car dealer or look it up online to see if your vehicle is affected by speed-sensitive volume control systems.
Unfortunately, SSV systems are only effective at adjusting the volume according to your vehicle’s speed along with the noise from inside the car cabin. External noises like traffic and construction won’t have any big effect on how the system adjusts your stereo’s volume. This means SSV systems won’t be very effective at drowning out noises from traffic.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
View Comments
what is a honda b1 service