Disabling GX550 Fake Engine Sound? (1 Viewer)

[cryorunner]

I’m trying to see if anyone here has found a way to turn off the annoying fake engine sounds on the GX550. I know this should be a place to discuss real things like getting it more off-road ready, but it’s also a place with a lot of tinkerers who really dig into these vehicles, so figured someone here might have figured it out.

The fake engine noise at least on the OT+ with ML comes in when in Sport S+ mode, Custom mode when Powertrain is set to Power, and also Sport S mode when at open throttle. It’s injected through the normal Mark Levinson amp (can kill it by pulling the AMP1 fuse).

Trying to do some research on it, I found some information from another economy Lexus model that seems to share the same mode select system and has the exact same behavior, which calls it Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE) in the manual. And saw a thread on another forum saying that the Carista app can disable ESE and showing the setting, though it wasn’t clear whether this was an official “settings that can be changed by your Lexus dealer” customization through Techstream.

Searching through the PDF GX manual posted here and flipping through the paper manual I received, I don’t see it mentioned at all. And Carista doesn’t yet list this vehicle on their website.

Thanks in advance for any input from anyone with any technical info. Especially if someone already has Carista and can check if it already is updated to work with the GX550 and if the ESE option is there.

 

[TexasD90]

I have the same question. What a worthless feature!

 

[vraa]

My understanding is the dealer can do it? I'm requesting my dealer to do it, but I'm in okc for another year, eskridge lexus sucks so far, I emailed every single service advisor and go no replies, can't wait until I'm back in houston where I can use west side lexus again

 

[the utahn]

Carista has that as an option for the LC250, you might email them and ask if they have it for the GX.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

So y’all’s “real Land Cruisers” are equipped with fake engine sound features?

 

[the utahn]

So y’all’s “real Land Cruisers” are equipped with fake engine sound features?

To my knowledge, no. Carista has a bunch of options that may not have any effect on the vehicle. It also shows an option to disable tailgate close with your foot even though the LC doesn't have that sensor.

 

[TWILLY]

Is there a way to replace the fake engine sound with the opening of “The Final Countdown,” “Eye of the Tiger,” or some other triumphant hair band anthem?

 

[cryorunner]

My understanding is the dealer can do it? I'm requesting my dealer to do it,

So far I don't see any documented evidence of this as a dealer option. I told my dealer from the beginning that I wasn't driving it off the lot until it was turned off, but they just said they didn't think the car had fake sounds. If you do have any success, please post the specific name of the option they switched, because otherwise I think my dealer will continue to play (and be) dumb.

Carista has that as an option for the LC250, you might email them and ask if they have it for the GX.

Great info on the LC250 setting, thanks. Though I can see the point of other comments that this may be some legacy code that doesn't actually apply to the GX550.

 

[vraa]

I got back from the dealer, they couldn't figure out how to turn it off

 

[cryorunner]

I got back from the dealer, they couldn't figure out how to turn it off

Thanks a lot for the follow-up, good information. This is what I'd suspected. Did you ask them to follow up with Lexus? Otherwise I think this will just remain unresolved.

In researching some other disappointing design issues with the 550, I saw a bunch of people saying to call the 800 number to complain, with the idea that something might actually get done if enough people chimed in. Something like this could be fixed with a few lines of code to just give the option to turn it off in the menu. But had also read some historical threads of similar issues where Lexus just said, "It is working as designed," and just ignored the customer concerns. So not even sure it's worth any effort to contact them, especially since they're still managing to get people's money, which is the sad reality.

 

[MikeVpdx503]

I did not care for the fake engine sound on my 2024 Tundra also. It was easy to disable with Techstream. Hopefully you all are also able to disable for the 550 as well.

Edit - it is in the Custom menu of Techstream. Select the Other section and there are multiple selections with ESE/ANC. I prefer ESE set to off and ANC (noice cancellation) set to on. Not sure if it is the same menu options for the 550. I found out that 2024 may no longer be supported by Techstream but selecting 2023 model with same options allowed the usual modifications, programming TPMS, etc.

 

[MRego]

Is there a way to replace the fake engine sound with the opening of “The Final Countdown,” “Eye of the Tiger,” or some other triumphant hair band anthem?

Sorry. Option reserved solely for Land Cruiser owners. Not PRADO owners. Let the whining begin.

 

[turbo8]

Thanks a lot for the follow-up, good information. This is what I'd suspected. Did you ask them to follow up with Lexus? Otherwise I think this will just remain unresolved.

In researching some other disappointing design issues with the 550, I saw a bunch of people saying to call the 800 number to complain, with the idea that something might actually get done if enough people chimed in. Something like this could be fixed with a few lines of code to just give the option to turn it off in the menu. But had also read some historical threads of similar issues where Lexus just said, "It is working as designed," and just ignored the customer concerns. So not even sure it's worth any effort to contact them, especially since they're still managing to get people's money, which is the sad reality.

I just tuned my fake engine noise and seatbelt chime off. You can use techstream, Carista or this new thing (which I have). I hate Carista's subscription model.

 

[cryorunner]

I just tuned my fake engine noise and seatbelt chime off. You can use techstream, Carista or this new thing (which I have). I hate Carista's subscription model.

Thank you so much for taking the time to follow up verifying with real information! I had just checked Carista's site and see they finally have the GX550 listed and say they could modify the ESE setting, but sometimes hard to tell what's just cut and paste. Also not a fan of the business model, but would do about anything at this point to get rid of this.

Any chance you know what this feature is called in Techstream, or at least in the unit you're using? Since my dealer couldn't find such an option, I want to be better armed next time with a name.

 

[turbo8]

Thank you so much for taking the time to follow up verifying with real information! I had just checked Carista's site and see they finally have the GX550 listed and say they could modify the ESE setting, but sometimes hard to tell what's just cut and paste. Also not a fan of the business model, but would do about anything at this point to get rid of this.

Any chance you know what this feature is called in Techstream, or at least in the unit you're using? Since my dealer couldn't find such an option, I want to be better armed next time with a name.

"ANC" (Active Noise Cancellation) reduces unwanted noise inside the car cabin by producing sound waves that neutralize existing sounds, while "ESE" (Engine Sound Enhancement) enhances and amplifies the engine's audio through the speakers.

@MikeVpdx503 also mentioned it in post 11.

 

[taccruiser97]

Is there a way to replace the fake engine sound with the opening of “The Final Countdown,” “Eye of the Tiger,” or some other triumphant hair band anthem?

Kinda partial to Danger Zone myself as I fire up the LC.

 

[joseywales]

Sorry. Option reserved solely for Land Cruiser owners. Not PRADO owners. Let the whining begin.

Does it say “PRADO” somewhere on NA spec LC 250s? Nope. So SUCK IT!

 

[FJ404345]

Would like to have that ANC/ESE option on the HDJ80

 

[dmjay]

My 1987 HJ61 with a 12H-T came with ESE as standard.

 

[Mark W]

I threw up a little bit when I realized this was actually a thing and not some sort of silly joke. Toyota actually put a system in to make Vroom Vroom sounds to help you feel like Speed Racer???? I mean, sure I clipped a playing card into my bicycle spokes when I was 7years old, but... seriously??? Who the **** would be anything but embarrassed by this? Who the **** do they think is buying these rigs? Please please tell me that they are way off the mark in their marketing.

I think that the guy with the crazy hair and bugs in his beard on the corner downtown holding the sign that warns that "The End Is Near!" might just be right.

Mark...