ECOdiesel Sounds


Sound files below are in 8-bit mono WAV format with 22.050 kHz sampling rate. These were all recorded with the microphone placed under the hood right next to the engine.

Cold Start

 COLDSTRT.WAV (441,044 bytes) - The sound of an ECOdiesel being started and revved with the engine cold.

Warm Start

 WARMSTRT.WAV (212,990 bytes) - This time, the engine was started while warm. Notice that the clattering noise is much quieter now.

0-60 MPH Run

 0-60MPH.WAV (551,300 bytes) - The sound of an ECOdiesel doing a pedal-to-the-metal 0 to 60 MPH acceleration run. Actually, it is more like 0 to 65 MPH and then coasting back to 60 MPH in this example. The 0 to 60 MPH part took about 16 seconds -- pretty good, considering the official VW figure is 15.5 seconds, and this example is with a non-professional driver on a public road, with 138,000 miles of wear and tear on the engine.

Horn

 HORN.WAV (39,410 bytes) - The sound of an ECOdiesel's dual-tone horn.


NEW! Sound files below are in 56 kbps mono MP3 format. These were all recorded with the microphone inside the car, approximately where the front passenger's left ear would be. Recordings were made with all windows up and heater blower fan off.

Cold Start

 COLDSTRT.MP3 (114,468 bytes) - Cold start with the Cold Start handle (idle boost/injection timing advance) pulled out. Slight V-belt squeak in beginning. The click and slight raise in RPM indicates when the glow plugs shut off.

Warm Start 1

 WRMSTRT1.MP3 (93,440 bytes) - Warm start with Cold Start handle pushed in (normal idle speed). The recording level for all these MP3s are the same, so you can compare the relative loudness amongst them.

Warm Start 2

 WRMSTRT2.MP3 (99,657 bytes) - Another warm start, this time with the microphone in a slightly different position (still inside the car). As with the cold start, the click after starting (caused by the glow plug relay) indicates when the glow plugs shut off; the glow plug light never goes on during a warm start, but the plugs still operate for a few seconds while cranking to aid starting.

Acceleration

 ACCEL.MP3 (128,914 bytes) - Normally paced acceleration from 0 to 50 MPH. These recordings are a bit "bassy"; the exhaust rumble inside the car is not really as loud as it sounds here. You hear more of the engine than you do of the exhaust note.

Traffic Circle

 CIRCLE.MP3 (369,920 bytes) - Navigating a traffic circle. First, taking off from a "feeder" light, then slowing down and almost stopping to merge onto the circle. Then going around the rather bumpy circle, and finally turning off the circle onto a side road. (Traffic circles are a dying breed, and may no longer be found in some areas, but that is probably a good thing since they are a notorious cause of accidents.)