What Is Speed Sensitive Volume in a Car?

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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:

• You can customize your vehicle’s audio system.
• You can hear music and announcements on the radio more clearly.
• You don’t have to worry about adjusting your stereo’s volume when you drive.

What Does Speed Sensitive Volume Mean?

Simply put, SSV systems adjust the volume of your vehicle’s radio based on the speed at which you’re traveling.

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.

How Does a Speed Sensitive Volume System Work?

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.

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.

Benefits of Speed Sensitive Volume

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.

Customizable Audio System

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.

Perfect for Long and Loud Drives

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.

Volume Adjusts by Itself

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.

How to Turn On Speed Sensitive Volume Control

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.

1. Turn on your vehicle’s ignition and activate the radio.
2. Access the radio settings via your vehicle’s dashboard computer.
3. Give the computer time to boot up before clicking the Menu button.
4. Go to the Audio/Sound settings.

      5.   Adjust and activate the SSV system.

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.

How to Turn Off Speed Sensitive Volume Control

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.

Disabling the speed-sensitive volume of Nissan vehicles might require a different set of inputs than disabling the SSV of vehicles made by Honda. Image credit: Honda Newsroom.

Typically, you can turn off SSV in your vehicle by performing the following steps:

1. Hold your vehicle’s scan button for 3 seconds to open a special menu.
2. Rotate the knob to access SSV control.
3. Select the SSV setting your vehicle uses.
4. Deactivate it.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Aftermarket Stereo Systems Know When to Trigger Speed Sensitive Volume?

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.

Are There Any Disadvantages to Speed Sensitive Volume Control?

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.

Can SSV Systems Drown Out Noise From Traffic?

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.

The post What Is Speed Sensitive Volume in a Car? appeared first on In The Garage with CarParts.com.

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