Issues with Hands Free Phone talking while A/C is on...

So I love using the hands free phone talking option. But here is an annoying issue, apparently the mic is near an air conditioning duct, and therefore when the AC is turned on, the other person on the line says that it sounds like I'm talking in a wind tunnel (excessive background wind sounds). This only happens when the AC ducts in the front panel are used, not the windshield nor foot ducts. And obviously, the excessive noise is louder when AC is on High, vs low.

Anyone else have this problem?

 

Well, where ever the mic is (I haven't found it personally) it's still an issue, as I described in original post.

 

I doubt it's much of a high quality microphone, you could pull the console apart and see if you can help the issue with some well placed foam to help wind noise, or you can turn the fan speed down so it isn't so loud. I keep mine on low when I'm on the phone using Bluetooth, unsurprisingly, my $150 Bose headset works better on noise cancellation.

Unless the mic itself is defective, there's not much choice. I guess you'll see if this is somewhat common or not and you can decide from there if the dealer should be looking at it for you.

 

The wife's RAV4 has the same problem. Worst when on high.

 

Yeah, I really don't want to go through that much effort. I'll monitor this thread and see if it's a widespread problem or just mine. Thanks.

 

GRRRR, sounds like a design problem. poor placement. surprised quality control never noticed this.

 

I think it's the nature of the beast. It needs to be close to the driver or passengers heads, but away from windows, speakers, and vents.

That doesn't leave many locations for a microphone.

I just minimize all noise before and during calls. Windows up. Air off, or on low if it has to run. Or I know I'm pushing the limits of the microphone as far as background noise.

 

Well, not really... I have driven and used other cars with same feature and never had this issue.

 

I'm not talking about other cars. I mentioned atleast twice the unknown and questionable quality of the microphone in the Tacoma, and the post you quoted was me referring to why it's likely located where it is in response to your saying "poor placement."

I said the placement is hard to avoid. The microphone should be able to overcome issues with background noise, even if as you say, the placement is poor.

I literally just said the placement is fine, and the microphone is the issue.

But okay, not really.

 

It is in one of the best spots - pretty much away from everything. No need to blame QC. If it was elsewhere you would be complaining it doesn't pick up your voice. Try and make sure your vents aren't pointing up in any way.

As to mic quality, my wife says she can't even tell I am not on the handset, so it cant be that bad.

 

The Colorado/Canyon automatically turns the ac to low fan when the phone rings...pretty cool feature.

 

Toyota should have placed the mic directly in front of the driver, either in the steering wheel or near the gauges.

 

Mic is better placed in the ceiling storage, where it is.

The gauges and steering wheel are both centered between HVAC cents and right near the driver speaker.

 

The mic is between the two interior map lights, right in front of you, in the roof, dead center. Your passenger can be heard just as easily as you are. I called a friend and asked if he could hear "that sound" when I stomped on it merging onto I-95... He heard nothing, asked me what I was talking about.

I haven't had any complaints about sound quality or noise cancellation so far. My mother couldn't tell she was on "speakerphone."

 

Same issue for me. 911 operator told me that the wind noise was terrible last week during a call. I now put the fan on low and then answer the phone. No more complaints.

 

With it directly in front of the drivers voice the mic sensitivity can be lowered and not pickup cabin noises.

 

It's further away from the drivers pie hole in those positions, so it's at a disadvantage already.

 

Being directly in front of that pie hole makes up for any distance.