2018 Tacoma’s Are “No Touch” Vehicles?

I wouldn't call it useless. Coming from much smaller vehicles, the back-up sensors are certainly useful when backing the truck into parking spaces. I do find the blind spot monitoring to be a little annoying, however it does have the cross traffic alert feature that proved useful to me once. I was in a parking lot beginning to back out of my space while looking behind to verify I was clear; I then hear the cross traffic alert start beeping like crazy because some teenage kid came flying through the lot nearly hitting me and another car. What aggravates me is that the manufacturers seem to advertise these features as a substitute for situational awareness, like it is somehow now ok to be distracted because the car's semi-autonomous features will handle everything for you.

 

I had an alert from the cross-traffic sensor in the same type of situation as you. I think the BSM would be more useful if it would provide an audible alert if a vehicle was within its detection range AND you actually started to turn into it's lane.

 

I just keep creeping out of my spot until I can see what is going on if I am between two big SUV's. Take it slow and they figure it out. Works great.

We have backup sensors on one of our service trucks, the thing is constantly freaking out because they get covered with gravel dirt. If it was mine I would have found a way to neuter them years ago. Same thing goes for backup cameras. I would really rather not buy this crap since on top of not wanting it in the first place I can't really use it anyway.

 

Been 2 years noone has found a way around remote start shutting off. Thisis much more complicated than that also

 

I always back into parking spots. Backing out of spots nowadays has become dangerous with people not knowing how to park like a normal person let alone retain any sense of normalcy when driving in a parking lot.

As a professional pilot, I can tell you that there is no substitute for situational awareness. Automation creates complacency which results in human error.

 

Good point about the sensors being dirty. That's an issue I haven't encountered yet.

 

that is not true. My dealer has an 18 tundra that has 6 in lift and 35 mud-tires. It has no issues and I test drove it. It is dealer demo truck.

 

The Gen 2 Ford Raptor has more sensors then you can shake a stick at. Folks mod them all the time from 37's to long travel... I would not worry to much...

 

I don't think the insurance company can fault you anymore for not using it than using it. If you read all of the disclaimers in the owners manual from Toyota. They basically do not guarantee it will function and it is the responsibility of the driver to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Below is the link to the manual and the TSS-P stuff starts on Page 228.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/attachments/2018-tacoma-manual-pdf.2407197/

 

Also, just out of curiosity, the TRD Pro is supposed to be an inch taller than the other models. The TRD Pro grill has the box for the radar sensor lower than where the 2018 TRD offroad emblem shows. I wonder if that was on purpose or just because of the lettering being in the way....

 

It's forward sensing RADAR. It is not aimed at a specific point in front of the vehicle, the radar fans out in a conical shape from the sensors. Lifts should not affect the TSS at all.

 

Toyota made an announcement that you could not lift a 2018 tundra and the dealers were instructed to not do any lift kits or modifications so I’m assuming the same goes for the Tacoma. If this is new to you you’re not paying attention it’s been discussed here for over a year and that you would not be able to modify your truck with TSS. This fancy advanced technology comes at a price. Yes someone will figure out how to bypass it someone will figure out how to modify it however disabling safety equipment makes the customer liable for not only warranty but for an accident your insurance will definitely want to know you disabled your safety equipment. This is going to be a big deal

 

Toyota obviously does not know how radar works. See here.

 

Until someone can get there hands on a 18 and mod it, there should be zero conclusions drawn.

 

https://360.here.com/2016/05/04/what-are-car-proximity-sensors-and-how-do-they-work/

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/157172-what-is-adaptive-cruise-control-and-how-does-it-work

 

Due to violating powertrain warranties I think all dealers are advised not to install lift kits on new trucks.

 

This.

 

I'm sure Toyota will offer recalibration of equipment for lifted trucks.

 

Nice article for body shops on the fact that they must use OEM radiator supports to mount the radar and it must be within OEM specs for placement, then it has to be re-calibrated.

Position is important because the millimeter-wave radar is supposed to “see” about 490 feet ahead of itself within a 20-degree horizontal plane and a 4-degree vertical one, which “pretty much covers the lane in front of you,”

http://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2...replacing-a-radiator-support-is-more-complex/

 

So Toyota says you can only use Toyota parts... nice unbiased factoid there... Wonder how it works with two big guys in the back seat of the car? Truck hauling a fridge or pulling a trailer?