Soundracer Tips and Tricks
User Manual summary
Startup SoundRacer
Apply the parking brake and set the gear selector in neutral or park.
Place SoundRacer in the cigarette lighter/12V/24V socket.
The display indicating FM frequency should light up automatically. If not, the ignition key has to be turned to the position where power is applied to the socket. You will see the display light up when power is on.
Turn on the FM receiver and set it to a frequency where no radio station is heard.
Press the + or – button on SoundRacer to set the same frequency as on the FM receiver, then you should hear the sound of an idling engine. Adjust the volume on the radio so that the sound is clearly heard.
Start the engine and rev it up to 2500-3000rpm (revolutions per minute) by quickly pressing down the throttle and then release it. You should hear a short beep in the speakers when the engine is slowing down. The beep indicates that SoundRacer has found the alternator signal. After about 2-4 seconds, when the engine is down to the idling rpm, you should hear two beeps indicating that SoundRacer has detected the idling rpm.
That’s it! Now you can press down on the throttle and hear a Super Sports Car engine rev up.
Drive off and enjoy, but always drive safely!
2. Tips & Tricks
Engine sound: Adjust volume, treble and bass on the radio to get the best sound experience in your car. More bass brings a more powerful sound effect. Just be careful not to blow your speakers.
Engine speed: If you want the SoundRacer “engine” to run on lower rpm you can adjust it by locking the idling to a higher rpm. This is done by not releasing the throttle fully during startup, after the first beep you keep the rpm at approximately 1500-2000 rpm. This is useful if you drive a “high rev” car or for highway driving.
3. How it works
The technology in SoundRacer is based on signals (electrical noise) on the electrical cables from the AC alternator.
The signal frequency follows the engine speed, SoundRacer detects this signal and transforms it to a simulated rpm. The increase in simulated rpm is then multiplied in order to produce a more exciting acceleration impression without running the car’s engine at high rpm. Based on the changes in rpm SoundRacer also produces different sounds: idling, acceleration at lower rpm, acceleration at higher rpm and deceleration, etc.
The engine sounds are transferred to the car radio by a FM transmitter.
4. Use the FM Transmitter line in
Use the 3.5 mm stereo cable to connect a MP3 or CD player to SoundRacer to enjoy your favorite music on the car stereo. The 3.5 mm plugs fits in the headset output of the music player and the line in socket under the SoundRacer front. Engine sound is automatically muted when the plug is inserted.
5. If it does not work as expected
The radio will not remain on the selected frequency, changes to another station.
Try deactivating AF function on the radio. AF is used to automatically search for the best station in an area. Usually there is an AF button on the radio and an AF symbol in the display. Press the AF button until the AF symbol disappears. See the user manual for your car radio for a detailed and correct description.
The radio reception is weak, the sound is low with a lot of noise.
Check the car antenna and radio. The transmitting power of SoundRacer and other FM transmitters is limited by government regulations. This means that the antenna cannot be too far from the transmitter.
Check that no radio station transmits very close to the selected frequency.
The sound quality is low.
The quality of the engine sound is naturally highly dependent on the sound system in the car. With high class radio receiver, amplifier and speakers you will have an astonishing sound experience, with a standard car stereo you will still have great engine sound but maybe less impressive. Especially the low frequency sounds are important so adjust the audio controls on the radio to suit your taste.
SoundRacer cannot find the rpm?
If there is no first beep or second beeps, then SoundRacer has a problem to detect the alternator signal and rpm. This can happen if the alternator signal is very low compared to other electrical noise. Try switching off the fan, air condition, wipers or other potential sources of electrical noise. If there is still no rpm detection, try in another car. SoundRacer works in most car models on the market.
SoundRacer does not follow the engine rpm?
If the engine sound repeatedly changes to higher rpm when the engine is idling then try to lock the idling to a higher rpm, see Tips & Tricks. This makes the rpm detection avoid the higher noise levels that some cars have at lower rpm. Also other problems with rpm following can be reduced by this action.
.................................
Here we list all car models that we have received positive user reports about.
Alfa Romeo 145 2.0 TD
Alfa Romeo 146 1.6 T.SPARK 16V 1998
Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 TWIN SPARK 2007
Alfa Romeo 159
Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 GTD 2007
Audi 80 2.0 1992
Audi 100 Avant Quattro 1993
Audi A4 1,8T 2004
Audi A4 2.0T Quattro 2005
Audi A4 2.0 TDI Cabriolet 2007
Audi A6 Allroad 3,0 TDI
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 2009
Audi S4
BMW 318
BMW 325 E30
BMW 328 TDI 2006
BMW 525i E61 2006
BMW 530d
BMW 530i 2005
BMW 535d
BMW Z3 2.8 1998
Chevrolet Astra 2.0 Flexpower 2007
Chevrolet HD2500 P/U diesel 2007
Chevrolet Impala 1966
Chevrolet Monte Carlo 3.4L V6 2004
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet S10 4.3L V6 1999
Chevrolet S10 2.2 2001
Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS 2010
Chrysler PT Cruiser Ltd Edition 2.0 MT 2000
Citroën Berlingo
Citroën Berlingo 1.6 TD 2008
Citroën Berlingo MULTISPACE 1.4i 2002
Citroën C1 2008
Citroën C3 Picasso
Citroën C3 1.1 Exclusive 2009
Citroën C4 Picasso
Dacia Sandero
Daihatsu Copen L881 1,3 2007
Daihatsu Mira 660cc AT 2010
Dethleffs A6881 2006 (Mobile home, FIAT 2,8 turbodiesel 146 hk)
Dodge Dakota V6 2003
Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, 3.7L V6 2003
Fiat Bravia
Fiat Ducato 14 LWB 2.5D 1996
Fiat Idea 1.3 Multijet
Fiat Panda 1.1 2006
Fiat Punto
Ford Cougar(Mercury in the US) V6 MT 2001
Ford Cougar V6 AT 2000
Ford Econoline Van 2010
Ford F-450 6.4 Turbo Diesel 2008
Ford Falcon RTV 4L 2006
Ford Festiva
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus 1.6 2003
Ford Focus 1.8 Tdci 2001
Ford Focus Flexifuel 2004
Ford Laser 1.6L MT 1988
Ford Mondeo ST220 2002
Ford Mustang 3.8 V6 2000
Ford Mustang 2003
Ford Ranger 4-cyl AT 2004
Ford Scorpio V6 1995
Ford Taurus SHO 1989
Ford Territory
Ford Transit Connect
Ford Transit 2.0 Diesel 2004
GMC Jimmy SLE 4.6L V6 1998
Honda Accord 2.4 AT 2003
Honda Accord 2.4 LX 4-cyl 2003
Honda Civic
Honda Civic Si 1991
Honda Civic SI 2.0 2009
Honda CRV
Honda Odyssey 2003
MOTORCYCLE - Honda Goldwing GL1800 Touring Motorcycle 2005
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Accent(Excel) 1.6L MT 1999
Hyundai i10
Hyundai i30 2008
Hyundai Sonata V6
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V6 1995
KIA cee´d 2010
KIA cee´d Diesel 2008
KIA Sephia 1.3
KIA Sorento 2,5 CRDI EX 2008
KIA Spectra 2.0 automatic 2005 (works only with fan motor on)*
KIA Sportage
Lancia Dedra 1,6 1994
Lexus GS400 1998
Lotus Elise 111S
Mazda 3 2008
Mazda 6
Mazda 121
Mazda 323F 1.6 2002
Mercedes-Benz 170 NGT
Mercedes-Benz 300C 1992
Mercedes-Benz A 200 CDI Diesel 2008
Mercedes-Benz B180 cdi 2007
Mercedes-Benz C200 cdi 2008
Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Diesel Station wagon 1998
Mercedes-Benz C280 AT 1998
Mercedes Benz CLC 200 Kompressor 2010
Mercedes-Benz CLK 230 Kompressor 2001 (W208)
Mercedes-Benz ML320 cdi
Mercedes-Benz ML 3,5 2000
Mercedes-Benz SL55
Mercedes-Benz W202 C180 Esprit 1998
Mini Cooper 1,6
Mini Cooper S (R56)
Mitsubishi Minica
Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Pajero(Montero) V6 2003
Nissan Almera 1,5 2001
Nissan Altima 3,5 SE
Nissan Frontier crew cab 2001
Nissan Maxima 3,5 V6
Nissan Primera 1,6 2000
Nissan Pulsar N15 1.6L 1999
Nissan Qashqai 2,0 2008
Nissan Teana
Nissan X-trail 2.2 dCi 2004
Opel Astra
Opel Combo 1.4D 2008
Opel Corsa
Opel Corsa EcoFlex Diesel 2008
Opel Meriva
Opel Vectra Diesel
Opel Vivaro 2.0 2009
Peugeot 106 S16
Peugeot 107
Peugeot 206 -02, 2006, 2007
Peugeot 206CC
Peugeot 206 GTI
Peugeot 206 XS 5MT
Peugeot 308 Diesel 2009
Peugeot 407 Coupé
Peugeot Partner
Peugeot Partner Diesel 1,6 2008
Pontiac GrandAm 3.4 V6 1999
Pontiac Vibe 2003
Porsche Cayenne 2006
Renault Clio
Renault Grand Scenic 2.0 2005
Renault Kangoo 1,4i 2002
Renault Megane Coupe
Renault Megane Coupe dCi 2009
Renault Megane Scenic 2001, 2002
Renault Twingo
SAAB 9-3 1,8t 2008
SAAB 9-3 1,9 Tid
SAAB 9-3 Turbo 2002
SAAB 9-3 2,2 TiD 1998
SAAB 9-5 2,0 Biopower 2006, 2007, 2010
SAAB 9-5 2,0 Turbo 2008
SAAB 9-5 2,3t Biopower 2008
SAAB 9-5 2,3 Turbo 2001
SAAB 9-5 Griffin
Seat Altea
Seat Cordoba
Seat Ibiza
Seat Leon Turbo Diesel 2009
Scion TC AT 2005
Skoda Fabia Break 1.9 TDI 2001
Skoda Fabia RS 2006
Skoda Fabia 1.6 16V 2008
Skoda Octavia 1,4
Skoda Oktavia 1,8 Turbo
Skoda Oktavia II 1,9 TDI-PD 2004
Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI 2005
Smart Fortwo 1999, 2009
Subaru Impreza 15i
Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback -98
Subaru Outback Diesel 2009
Suzuki Liana
Suzuki Swift Cab 1992
Suzuki WagonR
Suzuki Vitara 1991
Toyota Allion (Japan)
Toyota Aurion 3.5L V6 2006
Toyota Avensis Diesel
Toyota Avensis 1,6 1998
Toyota Aygo 2008, 2009
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry 1990 (works only with lights on)*
Toyota Camry Solara
Toyota Carina e 2.0Gli 1994
Toyota Celica 2.4L MT 1998
Toyota Corolla 2004
Toyota Corolla 1.4 D4D Diesel
Toyota Corolla 1,6 VVTI 2003
Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 Sol 2005
Toyota FJ CRUSIER 2007
Toyota Hilux 2x4 x-Cab V6 AT 2005
Toyota Hilux SR and SR5 Vigo 3.0 D4D (Diesel) 2009
Toyota IQ 2009
Toyota MR2
Toyota MR2 mk2 SW20 1991
Toyota Platz 1999 (Japan model, like Yaris, Vitz)
Toyota Previa 1991
Toyota RAV4 2008
Toyota RAV4 MT 1997
Toyota Sequia
Toyota Starlet 1.3
Toyota Tacoma 2.4 automatic 1998
Toyota Yaris D-4D
Vauxall Zaphira 1.9 TD
Volvo 440 2.0 1994
Volvo 850 GLT
Volvo 850 GLT 2.5 1993
Volvo C70 -09, T5 2002
Volvo S40
Volvo S40 2,4D 2006
Volvo S40 T4
Volvo S60 Optima 2.4 2004
Volvo S80
Volvo S80 D5
Volvo V50 2008
Volvo V50 2.0D 2005
Volvo V50 DRIVe Note! DRIVe occationally turns off alternator to save energy.
Volvo V70
Volvo V70 140 hp 2004
Volvo V70 AWD Aut D5 2004
Volvo V70 Diesel
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC60 D5 2009
Volvo XC70 2004
VW Beetle 1.6 2005
VW Bora
VW Caddy Life -09 (works only with Clima Automatic on)*
VW Fox 1.6 Total Flex I-Motion 2009
VW Golf Multi Fuel
VW Golf 2
VW Golf 4
VW Golf Variant 1.9 2004
VW Jetta TDI 2009
VW Lupo
VW New Beetle 2.0L 2000
VW Passat Biogas 2010
VW Passat B3 1,9 Diesel 1993
VW Polo
VW Polo GTI 2007
VW Tuareg
VW Transporter Pickup
VW TDI wagon
* see page Problems in some cars for explanation to special conditions
On the following cars a low signal level and/or a high level of electrical noise has caused problems for SoundRacer to perform satisfactory:
Audi A6 3,2 2005
BMW 118d
BMW 318i 2006
BMW 320d
BMW 320d convertible 2009
BMW 325 2009
BMW 328 wagon 2007
BMW 530d GT 2010
BMW Z4 2.5i 2006
Buick Park Avenue Ultra V6
Chrysler 300C 2.7 2009
Chrysler Grand Voyager
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7 V6 automatic
Citroën C5
Dodge Nitro 2,8 Diesel, Bj. 2007 (loose rpm after a couple of minutes)**
Ford F-150 302 1993
Ford Galaxy 2,2 tdci
Ford Mondeo Diesel
Holden Vx commodore V6 2001
Honda Accord diesel
Honda Civic diesel
Honda INSPIRE 2008 (Japan model, like Honda ACCORD)
Honda Jazz
Honda Odyssey 2008
Hyundai Elantra 2.0 Liter V-4 2008
Infinity G35
Kia Soul Sport 2010
Mazda 3 1.6 turbo diesel 2005
Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T MT 2006
Mazda CX7 Turbo 2.4 2008
Mercedes Benz A160 Classic MT 2005
Mercedes Benz A190 Elegance AT 2005
Mercedes-Benz 220 CDI Station 2002
Mercedes-Benz E300 Wagon 2003
Mercedes-Benz E500 2005
Mercedes-Benz RL
Nissan Altima SE 4 cyl 2005
Nissan Versa
Opel Zafira OPC 2.0 Turbo 2004
Subaru Forester diesel 2009
Toyota Highlander 2009
Toyota Rav 4 V6
Volvo C30 2008
Volvo S40 2,4D 2005
Volvo V50 2006
Volvo XC70 D5 2009
Toyota Prius Hybrid Car
The present version of SoundRacer is not developed for hybrid or electrical cars.
**Could help with adding electric load on alternator, see page Problems in some cars for explanation to special conditions
................................
SoundRacer compatibility
As you can see on the SoundRacer Listed Cars page, SoundRacer works fine on most car models on the market today.
On some cars SoundRacer does not work at once, then you can try to solve the problem by use the information below:
Problems for SoundRacer to find or follow the engine speed.
If there is no first beep or second two beeps, then SoundRacer has a problem to detect the alternator signal and rpm.
This can happen if the alternator signal is very low compared to other electrical noise. Try switching off the fan, air condition, wipers or other potential sources of electrical noise.
On the other hand, in some cars the alternator signal is too weak if there is no electrical load on the alternator. (Typical for this situation is that SoundRacer works fine a few minutes after start when the alternator is charging the battery and then fails to follow the engine rpm when the battery is fully charged).
In that case it helps to turn on the headlights, seat heating, rear window heating or other electrical equipment.
If the engine sound repeatedly changes to higher rpm when the engine is idling then try to lock the idling to a higher rpm.
This makes the rpm detection avoid the higher noise levels that some cars have around the idling rpm.
Also other problems with rpm following can be reduced by this action.
Locking the idling to a higher rpm: This is done by not releasing the throttle fully during startup, after the first beep you keep the rpm at approximately 1300-1700 rpm until the two beeps confirms the idling detection.
Problems with the FM radio reception.
On some cars the SoundRacer engine sound is weak or disturbed by noice.
One reason can be that SoundRacer is too far from the car radio or the antenna or that the car windows have a metallic coating that prevents the radio signals from SoundRacer to reach the antenna.
By governmental restrictions the FM transmission power must be very small in products like SoundRacer. One solution can be to get a separate 12V plug and socket cable and try other positions of the SoundRacer inside the car.
Another reason can be that there is a radio station close to the frequency you have selected on SoundRacer, try to find a frequency on the radio were no stations are transmitting on nearby frequencies, example if there is no station on 91,0-91,1-91,2-91,3-91,4 MHz you should select 91,2MHz on the radio and SoundRacer and there would be no interference. We know that in some areas there are so many FM radio stations that it is hard to find an empty space.
It is also depending on the selectivity of the car radio, better receivers has a narrow frequency band and are not easily disturbed by radio stations on nearby frequencies.
