Loaner vehicle audio volume was at max — anyone else experience this?

[JalenHurtsBirds]

I picked up a Rivian loaner from the service center today. When I started the vehicle, the audio volume was set all the way to maximum and the sound came on extremely loud immediately. It took me a few seconds to find the volume control and turn it down.


We quickly got out of the car in the lot and my ears hurt afterward and I had a headache. I also noticed a very slight ringing/fullness feeling in my ears. My son was in the vehicle with me as well.

Has anyone else experienced a Rivian loaner being handed over with the audio already set at an extremely high volume? Does Rivian reset audio settings between loaners, or is there a setting that can prevent this?

I’ve already documented it with the service center, but I’m curious if this has happened to anyone else.

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[VandalSibs]

Was this media volume? Or navigation or assistant volumes?

 

[JalenHurtsBirds]

Audio. Connected phone and music was at max volume. Had to quickly get the scroll wheel down as fast as I could.

 

[VandalSibs]

Audio. Connected phone and music was at max volume. Had to quickly get the scroll wheel down as fast as I could.

Most likely the last person that used the loaner either accidentally cranked it up, or really wanted to blast tunes in their ears. When the SC took it in, they didn't play any media and see the volume up, so they didn't touch it. Just a random thing that happened.

 

[Mellowyellow]

Random hilarious related story: For a few days my media volume would be on MAX when I entered the car. Every single time. I was fed up and chalked it up to a software bug. Turns out, my 4 year old would unbuckle himself after I put the car in park, jump down and hit the volume + button repeatedly and exit the car when I opened the door for him. I finally caught him doing it and was like SON OF A...

 

[dleepnw]

Yeah, it was likely the previous demo driver. Inconsiderate of them to not lower it. Rivian probably should have some procedure to "reset" the vehicle before each drive.

 

[VSG]

Had to quickly get the scroll wheel down as fast as I could.

FYI you can push the scroll wheel in to instantly mute the audio.

I don't think the music volume was done deliberately or intentionally - just that the previous driver's preferences are different than yours. All part of driving someone else's car, whether a loaner or a rental or what have you - you have to change the mirrors, seat position, radio station, A/C temperature, vent aiming, etc. - even when they're at their defaults they probably aren't what you want.

This is a good reminder to everyone to also unpair your phone, charging account, music app subscriptions, etc. when you return your loaner or rental car if you've set up any of these things. Be kind, rewind.

 

[portdirect]

Yeah, it was likely the previous demo driver. Inconsiderate of them to not lower it. Rivian probably should have some procedure to "reset" the vehicle before each drive.

I think they do - but seems inconistently applied. This is an area where the Rivian Fleet management system really has room for growth and an (in house) chance to shine. Volume being up is one thing, but seeing all past trips, and sometimes even finding home locations set to residential addresses, as well as bluetooth device pairing, hotspot etc - all 'simple' things to reset in the air-bnb like environment of a loaner.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

That's usually the volume I listen to things at.

 

[portdirect]

That's usually the volume I listen to things at.

The volume is at the right level when the wing mirrors bounce to the beat.

 

[Zoidz]

In my younger years I just might have turned up the volume on a rental car once or twice to prank the next driver.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Disgruntled SC employee maybe

 

[KBabione]

In my younger years I just might have turned up the volume on a rental car once or twice to prank the next driver.

My "trick" was to set all of the FM presets to the same channel to encourage people to listen to Jazz.

 

[SwampNut]

I do a factory reset when I pick up any rental/loaner, and again as I am getting back to return it. It's crazy not to.

The Rivian doesn't get loud enough to cause quick hearing issues. I've measured it with two different devices, and my Apple Watch gives me live feedback when I get crazy and turn it up for a while. I"m 61, still have great hearing, and figure, why should I die before using some of it up? Still though, the warnings are that it could be bad if left there for a long time, not instant.

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