Obnoxious repeating sound with certain Volvo config

[Stellar Remnant]

I have a Volvo VNL 300 6x4 200gal, 500hp 1850lb-ft Volvo engine, Eaton FO-22E318B-VXP R transmission.

At 1300rpm, 55mph cruise in A17 gear, there is this repeating sound against the background hum of the engine. It sounds like a piece of wire hitting another wire that goes from high to low and repeats every 2-3 seconds.

Anyone else notice this? And is it noticeable with other configs?

[Talon]

If it only happens when cruise control is active it's probably the retarder kicking in to keep your speed constant.

[Captain Black]

A retarder is a device used to augment or replace some of the functions of primary friction-based braking systems, usually on heavy vehicles. Retarders serve to slow vehicles, or maintain a steady speed while traveling down a hill, and help prevent the vehicle from "running away" by accelerating down the hill.

Retarder (mechanical engineering) - Wikipedia


Actually, in game, if you have a retarder installed and you're doing.. say a wot contract and cruise control is set to 65. If you continue to accelerate at this speed, whilst travelling downhill, it's possible to gain an extra few mph. If you let of the gas, the retarder will respond until the truck decelerates to 65, regardless of having been set.

[Stellar Remnant]

Ah, alright. I'm playing with a gamepad so I have it on simple throttle and auto retarder (I assume this is what slows me down when descending hills on cruise control). Thanks for the replies.

[Stellar Remnant]

I checked that Wikipedia article, and both mentioned types of retarders say they're 'extremely quiet'. I know I haven't been using engine braking.

For now, I'm assuming SCS didn't record an engine sound quite right or some anomalous other sound was introduced to the recording.

[UnableRogue]

I just bought the same truck with the set up you stipulated and even used simple auto but I couldn't recreate the sound you mentioned. The retarder isn't that loud so idk what noise you are hearing.

[Talon]

Ok this is weird. I bought a truck with your listed config in ATS and the retarder sounds like every other retarder I've heard in the game. It's a slight whistling sound. However,I drive a Volvo FH16 in ETS2 and that retarder sounds like what you described. Are you using any mods that might have changed the sounds?

[Stellar Remnant]

Originally posted by Talon:

Ok this is weird. I bought a truck with your listed config in ATS and the retarder sounds like every other retarder I've heard in the game. It's a slight whistling sound. However,I drive a Volvo FH16 in ETS2 and that retarder sounds like what you described. Are you using any mods that might have changed the sounds?

No mods, clean install. I did get a ton of DLC when I bought it, all the states, special transport, heavy cargo, forest machinery, and wheel tuning and steering creations. I've pretty much only been hauling loads of 45000lb+ and most 80000lb+. I don't know if either of those is relevant.

Also, I do hear that whistling sound when on cruise control on downslopes. I only hear the clattering when on a level or slight uphill grade and the engine is doing a bit of work but still at 55, 1220-1300rpm, A17.

[Talon]

I just drove a Tub Grinder from Medford to Yakima using the Volvo and while I can't say for certain I heard what you're hearing I will say that engine sounds really rough and noisy in general. Also I noticed you said this was happening in the 17th gear? The transmission you're using has 18 gears, I drive a simple automatic as well and my truck would switch into 18th gear. If you're stuck in 17th I suspect you're hearing the engine rev up and back down trying to switch gears as I heard that constantly as I picked up speed and the gears switched up. In any event I would suggest trying another brand of truck as that Volvo has the noisiest engine I've heard so far. It makes my usual Peterbilt sound practically quiet in comparison.

[Stellar Remnant]

Originally posted by Talon:

The transmission you're using has 18 gears, I drive a simple automatic as well and my truck would switch into 18th gear. If you're stuck in 17th

The simple automatic only switches up to 17th gear when driving at 55mph.

[Talon]

Alright I tried it again this time with cruise control set to 55 most of the way from Medford to Tacoma hauling a Forwarder. You're right, it stayed in 17th gear and man that engine was grinding and sputtering most of the way there. The only time it was quiet was when it was coasting or going downhill. I'm not sure if they recorded a modern Volvo engine or a dying WW2 fighter engine but it sounded awful. Seriously, try another brand of truck because that's the only engine I've heard make all that racket.

[Stellar Remnant]

Originally posted by Talon:

Alright I tried it again this time with cruise control set to 55 most of the way from Medford to Tacoma hauling a Forwarder. You're right, it stayed in 17th gear and man that engine was grinding and sputtering most of the way there. The only time it was quiet was when it was coasting or going downhill. I'm not sure if they recorded a modern Volvo engine or a dying WW2 fighter engine but it sounded awful. Seriously, try another brand of truck because that's the only engine I've heard make all that racket.

Thanks for the confirmation (finally) (lol). I've been driving the Volvo VNL 300 because of the short wheelbase, but my second choice was a Peterbilt duty cab and I think I'll try swapping to that instead. Shouldn't be too much longer.

[ww2_v2]

I'm obviously very late to this conversation, but I came here to the discussions to see if anyone had mentioned the noise of the Volvo VNL. I tried using that truck, decked out as best it could be @ level 20 (made a save file prior to trying out different trucks), and I liked most things about it except for the noise it made. To be clear I am VERY sensitive to noise and often hear very high pitched or low frequency type oscillations where most other people can't really discern it. Anyhow, long story short - there is definitely an annoying oscillating noise to the Volvo that I haven't experienced in any other truck that I've tested. So bad to the point where I decided it wasn't the truck for me. It's a shame, really.

[Stellar Remnant]

Originally posted by ww2_v2:

I'm obviously very late to this conversation, but I came here to the discussions to see if anyone had mentioned the noise of the Volvo VNL. I tried using that truck, decked out as best it could be @ level 20 (made a save file prior to trying out different trucks), and I liked most things about it except for the noise it made. To be clear I am VERY sensitive to noise and often hear very high pitched or low frequency type oscillations where most other people can't really discern it. Anyhow, long story short - there is definitely an annoying oscillating noise to the Volvo that I haven't experienced in any other truck that I've tested. So bad to the point where I decided it wasn't the truck for me. It's a shame, really.

Forgot I was subscribed to this discussion. Thanks for the reply.. guess they still haven't fixed that sound. Maybe I should bug report it.

[ww2_v2]

Originally posted by MiniHerc:

Forgot I was subscribed to this discussion. Thanks for the reply.. guess they still haven't fixed that sound. Maybe I should bug report it.

I guess it couldn't hurt, but I don't really see them going to the trouble of changing the engine sounds for the VNL unless it was a LOT of people complaining about it. I've never even done a bug report myself (for any game), so I'm not quite sure what is involved. I guess I just wanted to let you know (after all this time) that there was one more person who could identify with what you were experiencing. It's kind of like this droning warble that gets quite tiring after a while, and It doesn't really make for enjoyable long hauls (lol).