If I am paying attention, I can hear the machine make a different sound when it runs out too but often times there is other background noise & I don't hear it! I bought my machine used on E-Bay and that is the only feature that doesn't work. I really like the "needle down" feature but have trouble adjusting to the reverse button because it has to be turned on & off. My other machines just had a lever that you held down and when you let go it was back to sewing forward. I have a Pfaff 1471.