I thought the backup beeper was to warn people that my silent car was backing up so I wouldn't hit people in places like parking lots, BUT, when I almost wiped out my husband backing out of the garage, he said he couldn't hear the beeper outside of the car..I had the windows rolled up. I am well aware that I am in reverse, so what is the beeper for. It's not a bad idea if you can hear it outside of the car... Thank you...
Many of us have Disabled the Reverse Beep for that very reason. The 'point' is to make sure you know you're in reverse lest you stomp on the gas and go backward instead of forward if you inadvertently put it in reverse instead of drive. I agree, however, that an external beep would be more helpful. There are a number of aftermarket options available to do just that and I've long contemplated getting and installing one, but I'm not sure how difficult that install would be.
Evan - The back up beeps I've seen plug into the backup light socket, then the bulb plugs into the beeper. This way, gets power when you put car in reverse.
There are a number of types. I've extensively searched for one of the kind that replaces the reverse lights, but if you look at the Prius back-up light it's pretty easy to see that there won't be anything like that available for the Prius. The other kinds require connecting to the wiring and attaching the beeper/speaker beneath the car.
