A car audio system can help you beat boredom during long drives. You can listen to your favorite hit songs or podcasts and enjoy an exciting journey.
But things can go south if too much ambient noise drowns out the sound from your stereo. The engine, road, or wind noise could hinder the experience while speeding up. This issue might tempt you to reach the audio controls to adjust the volume.
Luckily, there’s a solution to this problem. If your vehicle has the speed compensated volume (SCV) feature, you can enjoy listening to the audio without distortions. But what is speed-compensated volume, and how does it work?
Read on to learn about this significant feature and how to use it while driving.
Question: What Is Speed Compensated Volume?
Most modern cars have the speed compensated volume feature in their audio systems for adjusting volume. It’s an intelligent feature that automatically adjusts the audio system’s volume levels in relation to the vehicle’s speed.
In other words, if you accelerate or decelerate, the feature will modify the stereo’s sound output to ensure a consistent listening experience.
It’ll detect changes in road conditions and speed and adjust audio volume. The aim is to prevent the audio system’s sound distortion from engine, road, or wind noise when driving fast or slow.
SCV adjusts volume levels in real time to save you from getting distracted trying to reach the audio controls. It, therefore, ensures a safe, enjoyable, and hassle-free driving experience.
Answer: How Speed Compensated Volume Works
Manufacturers integrate sensors into the car’s speedometer, transmission, or wheels to monitor speed changes. The sensor will also monitor the engine, road, wind, or any other noise inside or outside the vehicle.
This sensor works with the audio system’s interface to adjust the volume. When you accelerate or decelerate, the sensor detects this change and sends signals to the stereo’s interface.
Signals sent will trigger the audio system’s volume to increase or decrease. Besides raising or lowering the volume, SCV adjusts the bass and treble to keep the sound clear.
The feature adjusts the volume gradually to prevent distracting the driver or passengers with abrupt changes.
If you want to use the SCV feature, you must check if your car has one. Check the audio system’s menus for a button indicating “Speed Control Volume.” Alternatively, check if your vehicle has this feature in the owner’s manual.
You can enable the SCV feature using the indicated button. Doing so automatically adjusts sound, bass, and treble levels accordingly.
Answer: How To Set Up Speed Volume Compensation
The SCV feature has four settings, Low, Medium, High, and None, to suit every driver’s needs. If the road is quiet and smooth, you can choose the Low setting as there’ll be no sound distortions. It’s also effective if you’re driving with the windows closed.
The Medium or Mild setting is applicable in roads or environments with moderate noise levels. You can use this setting on highways.
On the other hand, the High setting is effective on roads with high noise levels. It can also be helpful in summer if you drive with the sunroof open or the windows down.
How do you set up the speed compensated volume to suit your needs? Below we’ll provide five easy steps to adjust the SCV feature. These steps may not apply in all vehicles but will give you an idea of how to do the job.
Step 1: Turn on the digital display on your vehicle’s dashboard. You can wait for a while for the screen to be displayed fully.
Step 2: Use the control buttons or the touchscreen (if applicable) to head to the menu bar. Some vehicles have a menu button on the stereo’s system.
Step 3: Press the Up/Down buttons to scroll to the Audio Settings
Step 4: Select the option “Speed Compensated Volume.” This option will give you Low, Medium, High, or None choices.
Step 5: Lastly, activate the feature by choosing Low, Medium, or High. Then press the OK button and start enjoying the music or podcasts.
The highest setting allows the SCV to compensate for engine, wind, and road noise. If driving more than 60mph, you can set the SCV on the High option to reduce ambient sounds that might distort the audio system’s sound.
Some drivers may prefer having full control of the audio system’s volume. If you’re one of them, you’ll need to turn off the SCV feature and control the volume manually.
Luckily, turning the feature off is easy. Just follow the first to fourth steps as outlined above. Then, select None instead of the Low, Medium, or High setting.
Turning the SCV feature off means you’ll need to manually adjust your audio system’s volume, bass and treble. Proper manual adjustment will be required to compensate for any noise while driving.
In most cases, selecting the Low option works for drivers who find the SCV feature annoying. You can increase the volume manually if necessary.
Answer: Benefits of SCV
Below are some benefits of having the SCV feature in your auto.
Enhanced listening experience: The speed volume compensation automatically adjust your vehicle’s volume, bass, and treble to allow a seamless listening experience. Whether driving fast or slow, this feature will drown out any surrounding noise to ensure you receive uninterrupted stereo sound.
Improved safety: With this feature, the driver doesn’t need to tinker with the buttons to lower or raise the stereo’s volume. As a result, the driver stays focused, and the hands remain on the wheels. In an emergency, the driver will be alerted to control the vehicle as required.
Consistent audio experience: Activating the speed compensated volume feature keeps the audio volume constant. The feature provides compensation for speed and noise variations while driving.
It’s customizable: Some vehicles allow drivers to customize their SCV feature to suit their needs. You can set your desired volume level and let the feature adjust to this volume based on speed and surrounding noise.
It’s user-friendly: The SCV feature minimizes the need to reach the audio controls to adjust the volume. You only need to adjust the feature to your desired volume level, and it’ll do its work as you drive.
Makes driving comfortable: Listening to the best sound quality while driving is enjoyable and can enhance the overall driving experience. The SCV feature will provide a consistent audio experience when accelerating or decelerating to create a more comfortable environment in the car.
Answer: Drawbacks of SCV
This feature has the following demerits.
Limited audio Control: The SCV feature may not be suitable for drivers who prefer to make more personalized adjustments. It only allows drivers to select the Low, Medium, or High options. Moreover, the feature doesn’t offer ways to compensate for vehicle vibrations or road surface conditions.
Not available in all vehicles: The speed volume compensation system is only available in some cars. It’s a common feature in modern-day vehicles or audio systems. If you’re unsure your vehicle has this feature, check the manual or consult the dealership or manufacturer.
Question: Why Is My SCV Not Working?
Before looking for the causes of a malfunctioning SCV, ensure the feature is available in your car. If your vehicle has this feature but fails to work, check if you’ve turned it off. Speed-compensated volume has settings that allow you to activate or deactivate it.
If you’ve selected the None or Off option, the SCV feature won’t work. You can use our five steps to activate or adjust your SCV feature to suit your needs.
Unfortunately, some audio systems won’t allow you to manually operate or modify your SCV feature. If this is your case, contact the dealership or manufacturer for help.
Other issues, such as audio system failure, connection problems, issues with the ECM, or battery failure, can cause the feature to malfunction. Inspect your car and fix any underlying problems to see if the SCV feature works.
Wrapping Up
Driving while listening to the audio can enhance your driving experience. But too much engine, wind, or road noise can hinder this experience if it interrupts the audio system’s sound. Luckily, the speed compensated volume feature can help you solve this problem.
This feature adjusts the audio system’s volume, bass, and treble depending on the speed or surrounding noise. It prevents any distortion of the stereo’s sound when accelerating or decelerating. You can adjust the SCV feature to choose how best you’d like to listen to music or podcasts while driving.