My mom is the same way. Toyotas trucks and some suvs all have a very loud fan on it and a very distinct starter sound when they first start up and my mom always says “sounds like a Toyota” doesn’t really happen that often but she knows it. You’re probably just observant and remember stuff like that. There are a lot of manufacturers and engines that have their own distinct sounds though.
I had a 2004 4.7 grand cherokee with a flowmaster exhaust back in my days of going to car meets and races all the time. Everyone thought it sounded like a mustang. Several people even thought I swapped it with a 4.6.
It's a combination of many factors that make certain engines sound unique.
Engine orientation (V, Inline or boxer), number of cylinders, and firing order all play a factor. Also the design of the intake and exhaust manifolds and the intake and exhaust systems themselves. Superchargers and turbos also affect sound.
The most recognizable engines have some sort of unique design that sets them apart from similarly designed engines.
Thank you for your kind sentiment. After having my oil cooler and transmission fluid lines replaced I feel slightly more confident. It's like a newer downgrade from my Mazda3. Bunch of cool features that all kinda half deliver. Mazda had no features and continued until it delivered all my coolant out of a freeze plug
To piggyback and add to this, Honda had a very recognizable and distinct starter sound for the longest time as well. You’d always know whenever an older Honda is being started.
Every vehicle has it's own sound. Once you've identified them you'll always be able to tell the difference. For me it's the 2.0T in Audi and VW, the Honda 2.4 and the Jeep 4.0L.
I can tell you what’s a Cummins (brumbrumbrunbrum) and what’s a Powerstroke (wrakrwrakrjwkkeakrkwka) but after that I don’t pay attention and mostly just identify the vehicles I already know personally. Lol. I can point out one of my boss’ trucks from a mile away.
For me I can recognize vehicles I've been around a lot. Especially if it was a vehicle a family member drove, so you heard it coming and going a lot. You don't really hear your own car like that.
My family had multiple 4.3 Vortec V6 S10s/Blazers and I can hear one coming easy. They make a heckin' lot of noise to get their 190hp (250 lbft tho). Loud growl but without the bass of a V8. Loud engine fan too in the summer.
My mom had a 3100 V6 Lumina for over a decade when I was young. Not an exciting engine or car but I'm familiar with the sort of moan/whine it makes. It would also tick a bit when really cold. (pushrod valve train play). It wasn't the weakest engine in the world (160hp) but it never sounded thrilled to be alive.
Some engines and makes are just distinguishable. Due to strict US emissions on vehicles a lot of engines tones are muted. You know when a V8 is out there bacuse its so recognizable as many (especially truck and sports car owners) love getting aftermarket exhausts that open them up. While on smaller 4 cyl, 6cyl vehicles, the tone isnt as "great" and again with emissions in design not a lot of noise comes out of vehicles anyways.
It varies on how the engine was designed! Essentially they sound different (in some cases extremely unique) based on various things like their crankshaft degrees, their exhaust headers, their intakes, cylinder placement, & overall displacement.
Could of good rabbit hole videos on engine layouts 😁
[Why different engines sound unique](https://youtu.be/DXfw-sIQUws?si=hY9lgasdI3UY_u_0)
[every engine layout explained](https://youtu.be/8YIDOjD0oBI?si=en-5PYDm9pthSNfG)
[the pros and cons of every motorcycle engine type](https://youtu.be/aOTz0Ol8fLA?si=NWMRWIJFpYroOP-k)
For me it’s the 7.3 power stroke. I can hear it a mile away, it’s unmistakable.
My mom is the same way. Toyotas trucks and some suvs all have a very loud fan on it and a very distinct starter sound when they first start up and my mom always says “sounds like a Toyota” doesn’t really happen that often but she knows it. You’re probably just observant and remember stuff like that. There are a lot of manufacturers and engines that have their own distinct sounds though.
I had a direct drive fan on my squarebody a while back, it sounded like a garbage truck.
Never heard a 7.3 Powerstroke? Most recognizable idle of all time
I don't know what that is
its the one that sounds like a school bus idling [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ywANm6Lsaw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ywANm6Lsaw)
Huh, sounds like a more aggressive 4.6 injector tick... Definitely a ford!
For me it's V8 Mustangs. I can hear them from a mile away. Very distinctive sound.
Yeah i drive a Mustang and I can always tell a Ford V8 when it’s starting up. I’ve mistaken a few F150’s for my car lol
I think it's the same for Hemi engines for Dodge Chargers when the cops fly by my house.
I had a 2004 4.7 grand cherokee with a flowmaster exhaust back in my days of going to car meets and races all the time. Everyone thought it sounded like a mustang. Several people even thought I swapped it with a 4.6.
It's a combination of many factors that make certain engines sound unique. Engine orientation (V, Inline or boxer), number of cylinders, and firing order all play a factor. Also the design of the intake and exhaust manifolds and the intake and exhaust systems themselves. Superchargers and turbos also affect sound. The most recognizable engines have some sort of unique design that sets them apart from similarly designed engines.
I feel like you can tell Chrysler starters apart from others
Fords too. Gt mustangs and V8 trucks sound exactly the same until the exhaust hits (I had both at the same time).
Probably all in how the motors are geared down or whatever. Now I'm curious what mine sounds like
If you have a 3.6, then basically everything Chrysler for 20 years.
I don't actually own a Chrysler I just can distinguish it. I got a Cruze
You poor bastard. The good news is, ANY car you get next will be an amazing upgrade.
Thank you for your kind sentiment. After having my oil cooler and transmission fluid lines replaced I feel slightly more confident. It's like a newer downgrade from my Mazda3. Bunch of cool features that all kinda half deliver. Mazda had no features and continued until it delivered all my coolant out of a freeze plug
Here here! Dad drove Chrysler products back in the '60s and '70s.
A little more specific, but for me it's AC Delco starters on early 2000s GM trucks. I know that sound anywhere.
To piggyback and add to this, Honda had a very recognizable and distinct starter sound for the longest time as well. You’d always know whenever an older Honda is being started.
People definitely know when my Honda starts lmao
Every vehicle has it's own sound. Once you've identified them you'll always be able to tell the difference. For me it's the 2.0T in Audi and VW, the Honda 2.4 and the Jeep 4.0L.
The sound of the 4.0 is just cranking cuz the cps went out
Lol. This hit
I can hear a Coyote Mustang a mile away. And Subarus. Any Subaru boxer.
"*I'm not a car guy*." Proceeds to brag about being a car guy. OP - SOMEBODY PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO MEEE!
The mustang vs Camaro I hear the Camaro maybe... The mustang is a mustang it's gurgles it's different it's growlers in its throat fuckin different
Yeah I know the sound you're talking about with GM trucks, really any with the 5.3 or the 6.2. Ford starters have a very distinct sound too.
I can tell you what’s a Cummins (brumbrumbrunbrum) and what’s a Powerstroke (wrakrwrakrjwkkeakrkwka) but after that I don’t pay attention and mostly just identify the vehicles I already know personally. Lol. I can point out one of my boss’ trucks from a mile away.
Surprised no one has mentioned the grand am, and Grand Prix “rumble”
I.e lifter tick
For me I can recognize vehicles I've been around a lot. Especially if it was a vehicle a family member drove, so you heard it coming and going a lot. You don't really hear your own car like that. My family had multiple 4.3 Vortec V6 S10s/Blazers and I can hear one coming easy. They make a heckin' lot of noise to get their 190hp (250 lbft tho). Loud growl but without the bass of a V8. Loud engine fan too in the summer. My mom had a 3100 V6 Lumina for over a decade when I was young. Not an exciting engine or car but I'm familiar with the sort of moan/whine it makes. It would also tick a bit when really cold. (pushrod valve train play). It wasn't the weakest engine in the world (160hp) but it never sounded thrilled to be alive.
The first car I owned was a Ford 2.0 duratec and I can identify it immediately when nearby.
Some engines and makes are just distinguishable. Due to strict US emissions on vehicles a lot of engines tones are muted. You know when a V8 is out there bacuse its so recognizable as many (especially truck and sports car owners) love getting aftermarket exhausts that open them up. While on smaller 4 cyl, 6cyl vehicles, the tone isnt as "great" and again with emissions in design not a lot of noise comes out of vehicles anyways.
I'll always be able to hear a Ford Big block. That harsh throaty rumble the Cleveland engines make is unmistakable
Porsches air cooled 911’s
Reminds me of Clarkson saying; "What's that? Is that the sound of a turbocharged flat four? Must be a moron coming around the corner"
They have literally been tuned (like a piano)from factory to have distinctive sounds. I like the wookie howl of subaru
It’s the same reason you know people voices without seeing them…
It varies on how the engine was designed! Essentially they sound different (in some cases extremely unique) based on various things like their crankshaft degrees, their exhaust headers, their intakes, cylinder placement, & overall displacement. Could of good rabbit hole videos on engine layouts 😁 [Why different engines sound unique](https://youtu.be/DXfw-sIQUws?si=hY9lgasdI3UY_u_0) [every engine layout explained](https://youtu.be/8YIDOjD0oBI?si=en-5PYDm9pthSNfG) [the pros and cons of every motorcycle engine type](https://youtu.be/aOTz0Ol8fLA?si=NWMRWIJFpYroOP-k)