Tips and Tricks on the 3rd Gen Tacoma

I haven't noticed it but I have these...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SDMJLQ6/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They are great... no annoying seat belt dinging either

 

Interesting, thanks!

 

Learned on the "what have you done to your 3rd gen today" thread you can get an veepeak OBD2 reader from Amazon for $17.99 and a free app for your phone that works off wifi called Carista. It lets you change setting on your truck that only dealers can. Like turn signal 3 to 6. Door chimes. Etc. seems pretty cheap for what you would pay your dealer to do it. It also reads engine fault codes and other diagnostic information. Just ordered one and downloaded the App. The link to Amazon is on post #9197 on the thread.

 

The free app only reads the codes. You have to do an in-app-purchase and pay $20 to be able to make changes. I did - and it works very well

 

Use these little pockets in the seats to keep the buckles from being buried under the seat when folding it up And down.

 

How do I get to post#9197?

 

Here is the link. It is from post #9197 from the thread "what have you done to your 3rd gen today". Like what blazing said above^.

Veepeak Mini WiFi OBD II Scanner Adapter Car Check Engine Light Diagnostic Code Reader Scan Tool for iOS and Android Black

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WPW6BAE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

 

x2

 

if the fob is with you, wait until you wash your truck... every time i hit near the door handle with the hose spray the damn thing beeps and unlocks, even though it wasn't locked to begin with!

 

Just disable the FOB when you are washing your truck. Hold the lock button and push unlock three times.

 

I recommend saving the owners manual to iBooks if you have iOS. This allows for offline viewing, and search functionality. To download it simply hit the arrow on the bottom right of the screen when viewing the manual and choose open in safari, once you are in safari choose open in iBooks in the top right.

 

When the bsm { blind spot moniter} is on it alerts you by lighting up a small picture on the out side, side mirrors for the appropriate side but I have never herd an audible alarm.

 

I haven't heard the alarm either but, if I remember right, I think I heard it will go off if you switch lanes when the BSM light is on and come within a certain distance to another vehicle. I've been wanting to test this driving along side someone I know.... or I could just scare the crap out of some unsuspecting motorist in the other lane. lol.

Can anyone verify this?

 

Well...let's just say I can vouch that there is no damn alarm!! I nearly slammed into someone bc I wasn't yet used to looking for the indicator. My bad but yeah an alarm would have helped!

 

Glad you avoided the collision!
I'm still so used to checking my blindspot myself that I still haven't got used to the light.

So, are you positive that the light was on when this happened?

It seems strange that the proximity alarm goes off when backing up but not for the BSM monitor. I would think, if they had to choose one or the other, that they'd choose the BSM alarm over the backup. You're backing up at about 2-3mph and you have a 7" screen to look at... an alarm probably isn't needed. I dunno

 

You get the alarm as part of the cross-traffic alert function. If you are in reverse and it senses a car approaching from the side, you will get an audible alarm. I've definitely had it go off, so I know this is the case.

One other thing I've noticed (going back to BSM) is the indicator is solid while a car is in your blind spot but it will blink if you turn on your turn signal on that side.

 

On that note...NO ONE apparently can see the mirror turn signal indicators! I had a Sorento just before this and those were good size-not so much in the taco. I've noticed more ppl don't see the taco turn signals as well. Anyone else?

 

I agree it would be nice to at least have the option of an audio alert for BSM.

I like the cross-traffic alert. It will pick up cars that are out of view of the backup camera. Plus, you could be looking at your front swing and not at the morrors or camera at that moment. I've had both the parking sensors and cross-traffic alert go off at the same time. Fun times.

 

[QUOTE=" One other thing I've noticed (going back to BSM) is the indicator is solid while a car is in your blind spot but it will blink if you turn on your turn signal on that side.[/QUOTE]

Had not picked up on that distinction. Thanks for the info.

I have come to rely on both the BSM and Cross Traffic systems, to my surprise.

Frank

 

Carista doesn't need bluetooth for apple, mine worked fine with wifi. I can't say for android though.