How to permanently disable Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P)

I dont hate TSS- its

Thats cool. Until my last truck, I have always bought low mile used Toyotas and drive them over 250k milea with no issues, they are that good.

 

I've had my 2018 TRD offroad 4x4 since 30 Nov 2018. I just rolled 1000 miles. So far I've had several errors with the system and the vehicle is clean. A few weeks ago driving down the road no one in front or to the side of me, it started flashing "brake" on the dash for no reason. Now I got the precollission system is not working see your dealer message. Turned engine off then on and it stayed off. Then the next time I drove it the precollision off dash light is on and wont turn off. It doesn't matter if I turn it on or off in the setting the dash light is on. I've tried disconnected the cable and plugging it back in again. There is not dirt or moisture on the sensor. The blind spot monitor is also not trustworthy either as mudd or dirt can make it malfunction. I've managed all my life without a blindspot monitor with no accidents and I wouldn't depend on or trust it without looking for myself.
The problems with this system are all, over the internet for tacomas and tundras. I wish mine didnt have it and if the PCS keeps acting up I would like to know how to permanently disable it.

 

I understand your frustration with that stuff. Id want to pull it off too with those issues you are having.

I have to confess that I played pong with some other Tacoma’s BSM for over a mile on a long, straight 4 lane highway one night. The guy figured it out and waved and laughed at me at the next stop.

 

This is why I bought a 2017. I have something like the TSS in my 18 gti daily and I honestly hate it.

It’s almost gotten me into an accident more often then it’s helped me.

IE.... changing lanes and the person in front of me that I’m passing taps their brakes and slows a little, car slams on the brakes.

I’ve had multiple times my foot is on the brake and I’m already slowing down coming to a stop and the car slams on the brakes because it decides that I won’t stop in time.

Multiple times where the car just decides to slam on the brakes for no reason. (Happens with all the systems, dealer can’t replicate so nothing wrong. I’m going to guess a lighting or shadow issue confused the system)

OP you can’t remove it and you’ll never be able to fully turn it off. So if you don’t want any piece of it you have to buy a pre2018.

 

Not sure where you get your info from but you can totally turn it off with the buttons on the steering wheel.

 

That doesn’t disable it fully and from my understanding you have to do that every single time you get onto your vehicle

 

yes it does. see my previous posts in this thread.

 

Any idea if the Carista app can see and modify this setting?

 

I have no idea. I don't have Carista.

 

Another good thread. My 2018 you can turn some of the stuff off and adjust the others. I agree with the guy above. You start messing beyond that you could have software and system issues. I looked at one with the system and with out and chose with

 

I've heard that no, it does not. You need Techstream.

 

Carista does not have this ability.

 

I don't even notice them, not sure why the OP has such an issue with em. That's like disabling ABS just to do it. More trouble than its worth and makes a safe truck unsafe. If I was an insurance adjuster and you got into an accident, I would ask why you disabled safety features of the truck that could have prevented an accident. You never know.

 

Lane departure warning taught me what a bad driver I am.

 

I bought my Tacoma over Memorial Day in 2018. Within the first month of driving I began having issues with the TSS-p. I drive on the highway on 650 mi round trips about every 1.5 months. I have put just under 11,000 miles on my truck since the end of May.

I've had about a dozen occasions where I have been concerned of this while on a 4+ lane divided highway. This has occurred when I'm in the left lane and passing a vehicle in the right lane. When I'm about 20ish yards from being past the vehicle beside me, my truck has applied the brakes very hard, thinking I'm about to rear-end the vehicle adjacent to me. When your driving 70 on a highway, this is pretty terrifying.​

I'm displeased with the TSS-p and don't want it. Everyone can rave about it, but I believe that all of these new safety features are encouraging drivers to be more distracted and pay less attention to the road. I don't want the TSS-p as it causes me more issues then it does help.

Turning off the PCS (pre collision sensor) does not disable the adaptive cruise control (Thanks GF8er). The cruise control will not work if the sensor is unplugged, or covered. As I do a lot of highway driving, I would like to have cruise control. As I have a new vehicle, why would I compromise that?

Has anyone out there had any luck with a dealership removing it and converting the firmware on their 2018 to 2017? I would also like to install a grille I got as a gift, but I'm not sure how to get around the sensor issue. Please Help

 

No, It doesn't disable cruise control. I used adaptive cruise today with PCS turned off. Unplugging the radar sensor and disabling PCS through the steering wheel controls are two completely different things. Adaptive cruise will continue to work with the PCS turned off. Also holding down the cruise control button for 1.5 seconds will active standard cruise.

Here is a photo of adaptive cruise set at 70 and the PCS turned off.

 

My mistake, I assumed the adaptive cruise and PCS were somewhat of the same control. You would have to do the 1.5s activation every time you set the cruise, correct?

I know not everyone has issues like I have, but I think I have valid reasoning for not wanting the system (see previous post). As I also would like to put in a different grille, and the sensor is a big issue to work around. I guess what it comes done to then, is there anyway of removing or permanently disable the sensor, but still be able to have cruise control work in my vehicle?

 

Yes, disable PCS/TSS through TechStream. You can toggle the PCS Disable setting so that it won't automatically re-enable each time you start the car. Done.

 

I agree and I hate the PCS. The adaptive cruise is hit or miss. I don't like that when I come up to a car and want to pass, it slows down so when I get in the left land to pass, now I am going the same speed as they are. The auto brights are good on the highway, but on 2 lane roads, they dim when I come to curves with signs and that sucks. Sometimes it will dim with speed limit signs etc. I turn most off, but the PCS has to be turned off every time. Maybe block the sensor. Plasti-dip the badge or put something in front behind the grill? I will mess with it eventually. I have been driving without it for a long time, I don't want it now.

 

yes, any dealer will perform the techstream deactivation at your request. they are supposed to. no that will not disable the other linked features, such as adaptive cruise control.

some of the complaints you guys have actually indicates a potential mis-calibrated radar or front recognition camera. i have seen a few cases of this personally.
the systems work well in ideal conditions, there are a few things that can false activate them, as well as reasons why they wont work on occasion... its not 100% guaranteed, as the owners manual states.

Safety Sense is not a required safety system. you may have it disabled if you want. it is your vehicle, its your choice. they can only charge you a small fee, but most techs will take the 5 minutes and do it for you if you're in for service.
actually, part of the delivery process is changing all those customizable settings to the way you want them.

i've attached the TSB for you to print out, in case your local dealer wants to give you trouble about it.