Covering TSS Emblem in 2018 Taco?

Looking forward to your finished product. I know you’ll keep us posted.

 

I am interested in this as well. My sensor works fine when covered in some snow or dirt. But if it is super clean and the sun is bright and low in the sky it throws “The Code”, inoperable- clean sensor. It’s a love -hate relationship.

 

First time hearing of this scenario. These sensors are so sensitive (pun intended).

 

My sensor was replaced once already under warranty. Started acting up again, went back to dealer, they could not replaicate the problem, cloudy day. They talk to Toyota Engieneeing Support, “system is functioning as designed “ is what I was told. The system shuts down by default when it “sees something it doesn’t understand”.

 

You must be beyond frustrated at this point. Do TSS features still operate when the clean sensor indicator appears?

 

It comes right back on, no problem. Sucker does not like bright low sunlight.

 

I've decided against this. Last thing I want to do is block the sensor with a different badge and god forbid something happens in a wreck if it malfunctions, etc. I don't want the liability.

 

Probably a good call.

 

Yeah just not worth it. Plus I've got other fish to fry.

 

I have since switched to the faux Pro grille with OEM garnish. not one issue and almost 1000 miles on the truck since switching. I also covered the garnish with a piece of scrap matte clear bra material to tone down the gloss. still not one issue. I just did not like the stock emblem one bit.

 

I have a transducer behind my 2019 Toyota grill emblem. I sanded the plastic, painted it over with Rustoleum oil-based flat black paint. It looks cool:

The adaptive cruise still works perfectly. Of course, I did not test the PCS, but since the sensor works for one system, I assume it must for the other. Certainly this treatment causes the truck to throw no errors.

 

If the TSS sensor uses radio frequency energy (I believe it does), then a spray tint or vinyl shouldn't have an effect as it is transparent to RF. However, if you apply anything that has any metallic elements it will. Millimeter wave, lo power emissions would be more susceptible to scatter or attenuation. Snow and rain are creating a problem because the TSS reads them as objects and gets confused. The more sensors and electronic systems we get the more potential there is for problems. It's a catch-22. I like a lot of what the TSS does but I get there is a downside.

I think MESO is right regarding liability. If you mod it and there is an accident, it could become complicated.

 

Well I won a pro grill on eBay and bought factory sensor cover. Was cheaper than dealer, but wish I bought knock off one. I had issues with sensor after 10k oil change and the "updates" they had to do. So bottom line was told buy pro grill sensor ending in #20 and recalibrate it! Or put original grill and they will warranty the sensor. I do this and was told yes come in as I work 1 mile away. I drive 1 mile now they are slammed that quick it will now be 2 hours!. Yep I'm here oh hey that decal you put on the logo will have to come off to recalibrate sensor IS THIS OK? Sure? So they get done well hated to do that but you used shrink wrap hmmmm no it is 3m premium vinyl for signs as I used to have a sign shop. So then I say what different between your black out over lays and decals? Welllll they are ours and just work. WHAT!!!!! Bullshit sir so we hashed it out as I'm pissed at this point. So they try telling me the radar shoot between the toyota logo not the whole oval and square box sensor unit?! Bullshit sir. So if I buy your black out stuff that ok ya and have us install them. Ya ok that not happening. I can say I hate this dealer and out money as they won't warranty anything if they don't buy and install there. Makes me start to hate this truck because of this dealer which is the closest to me.

 

Mine is covered with 8 layers of Plasti dip and a vinyl sticker. Zero issues.

 

I used Vivid dark smoke vinyl tint on mine --- went on very easy and came out pretty nice, but I should have probably used a light smoke tint as opposed to a dark smoke. I actually just wanted to tone down the chrome sombrero as opposed to murdering it out. I'll post pics when I get an opportunity, it's dark out and not worth taking pictures. I'll most likely wind up re-doing it with a light smoke vinyl from the same company, but I'll wait to see how things look in the sunlight. No comment on how TSS works at this point, if I have any issues, then this will be removed and I'll live with the chrome sombrero or get the XTrek Grille --- just don't want to waste $300 on cosmetics.

 

Any issues at dealership as far as warranty or questions?

 

I'm definitely going to get a lighter smoke vinyl. Should have known to go with the light smoke vs the dark smoke. The vivid stuff went on super easy. It allowed for adjustments and when heated it really wrapped around curves nicely. Like I said I really wanted a subtle change -- the sombrero is completely murdered out and it kinda looks cheesy. I was going for something more like this.

 

Show a pic after you do the light smoke, think I’m gonna go that option. Was going Thinking vinyl sticker cover up originally maybe something like that....but I also might just be playing to much N64 in quarantine mode.