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2017 - random chime?

('14-'18) 
20K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  Peter in Brockville 
#1 ·
2017 premium 5,500 mi. Purchased vehicle Sept 2016. I am observing a single random chime while driving, frequency is also random. There are no indicators lit. Most recent and frequent was this past Sunday, (1-8-2017).
While driving on rual roads doing 55-62mph, in a 45 min period this chime sounded 9 times. One time it did it twice in one minute. Again no indicators lit up. I have Eyesight, lane keep assist, blindspot warning, cross traffic warning and other features that make sounds. This is different from any of those which I would describe as warning buzz sounds and and show an indicator. Any ideas?
 
#3 ·
Thanks, I had seen this before but couldn't find it before making my post. My problem might be similar, however I don't have Nav and radio was not on. I did have bluetooth on, but rarely get calls or texts, for sure not 9 in 45min. Nothing like the sound of lane keep assist or any of the other warnings. This would be a pleasent chime sound if it meant anything to me.
 
#4 ·
How was the weather when you were driving? I would think if you heard the chime 9 times, you would have noticed a change in the screen on the multi-function display, but maybe it was quick. I was driving and heard a mystery chime, also. After 3 or 4 chimes the temperature finally was low enough that the MFD was on long enough to read the warning. I was driving and the temperature was between 37º and 38º F. At 37 a chime sounds and an icy road warning comes on the MFD. The problem I was having was at 55 mph I would hit a cold spot (37) and get the chime, but I would quickly be in a warmer spot (38+), and the warning either never showed or flashed off before I saw it. It's on page 3-49 in the owners manual. Sounds crazy, but that what happened to me.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I have heard this sound a few times in my 17 Limited without Nav or Eyesight. In my case it is the same sound as the temp display when it does an ice alert at 37 degrees. We've been having a lot of temps in that range and it alerts for that most times I drive. However, it doesn't always seem temp related as it has made the sound when the temp is a lot colder or even warmer. The sound doesn't seem to be an issue though as it isn't a critical alert or anything. It would be nice to know what it is though.
 
#7 ·
After paying close attention to conditions when the chime sounds I have found the cause. With Eyesight and adaptive cruise control on...If the camera sees a significent break in the lines marking the lanes and side of the road, the chime will sound. Lines are broken more frequently on back roads, so you get more chimes.
 
#8 ·
You're hearing a lane departure warning. I'm not sure that has anything to do with the single "bong" sound this thread is about. My 2016 Touring has Navigation and adaptive cruise and does the same thing at random times with or without those systems on. But there is one place it will always do it that I pass by every day, a ramp leading from one interstate highway to another that has a speed warning sign that lights up if you are exceeding the posted speed limit. It obviously uses radar (and it sets off my Escort Passport radar detector in my work truck) but other radar sources like police cars don't cause it so again, there's no iron-clad reason.

My dealer is a very high-volume one and their service department has never heard of it but blamed the radar idea until I told them other radar sources don't cause it. Sometimes during my 12-mile drive to and from work it will do it three or four times, sometimes just the one time. I've been meaning to call Subaru customer assistance but haven't yet. I'm curious to hear from others who are experiencing the same thing.

Ed
 
#9 ·
No, I think I figured out the lane departure warning the first 10 minutes of driving my new Forester. I stand by my multiple observations where I heard a single chime when Eyesight can't see the lines on the road. Sometimes the dash indication will show that one or both lines are missing and the chime may or may not sound. My observation when this happens is that the sun angle may be causing a glare. Once I got a chime and both lines were missing from dash display just before I went under an overpass that was creating a shadow that I entered just as the chime sounded. I don't get the chime every time one or even both lines drop from the dash display. Most of the time when the actual line on the drivers side cannot be seen on the road, a chime will sound.
 
#10 ·
When my Forester's Eyesight becomes inoperative due to sun glare or other obstacles, a chime sounds AND warning lights indicating that those system are out of service are illuminated.

I wanted to call Subaru customer assistance today but forgot when I had the time. I'll do it this evening and report back.

Ed
 
#11 ·
It is probably the chime coming from the Lane Assist. Watch for this situation. You are driving and the Lane Assist indicator is lite up green, which means it is assisting with the steering of the car, the lanes break or you start around a curve where Lane Assist will not work. It will make a "Ding" sound. It letting you know that while it is actively working, it suddenly stops due to the inability to see the lanes.
 
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