back up beeping Prius 3

(Your profile says you own a 2005, owners can change a 2005)

Four days ago you could refuse to pay for it until the beeping went away.

Now you can find a dealer that wants your business.

Make it very clear to the dealer your dealer satisfaction survey will be horrible, and if that does not sway them, move on.

 

Alternate method:

If you have a ScanGauge, or can borrow one, we can point you to a thread with the codes that will set this and several other customizations.

But this alone is not reason enough to purchase a ScanGauge.

 

I don't know why some dealers are stating this maybe some kind of internal toyota memo, but it is doable and they can turn it to a single beep (short - some dealers are incorrectly stating is is a LONG coninuus beep) instead.

Some dealers will charge a labor fee some will do it free... I made sure I told the sales man that I would only purchase the vehicle if they promised to re-program the continual beep at no additional charge otherwise no sale...

Unfortunately, if the dealer refuses to change the code for you, you'll have to find another dealer to do so. Alternatively, you can purchase a scangauge tool and "attempt" to reprogram the reverse beep itself but I don't have the instructions/codes handy... You'll have to do a search...

Bottom line you have a choice, hunt down a dealer who's willing to perform the programming change and cheaply

or

DIY with a single Scanguage tool...

 

Recently had mine turned off in Sunnyvale.

 

Why would it be a safety factor since the beep is INSIDE the car, NOT outside, where it might warn someone behind the vehicle? Does your dealer think that you're so stupid that you can't realize that you've put the car in reverse w/o some exterior warning?
My dealer's service dept, here in Virginia, didn't even blink when I asked them to switch it to 1 beep. In fact, if you look @ your owner's manual, it's listed as one of the things that can be changed f/you by the dealer. Sorry, don't have my manual w/me, so can't tell you what page, but it's towards the back of the book. hope this helps.
Donzi


Toyota here in petaluma (and others) CA are refusing to turn the back up beeping off. THey say due to being a safety problem we can't turn it off.[/QUOTE]

 

Dealers in Michigan also refused to turn the beep off - I didn't know it could change to 1 beep until after I talked to them - will ask on next oil change to do that instead. Seems like they should be smart enough to offer that, but dealers have done dumber things.

 

I finally decided to have the dealer disable the beeping. I was hesitant to have this (presumably) safety feature disabled, but after spending several weeks with it I found the beeping to be distracting, and ironically more dangerous than without it. I found myself looking around to see if there were any indicator lights on the dash, or double-checking to see if the seat belts were in place, etc. For me, one reverse beep is enough.

The dealer wanted to charge me, but because of Prius Chat I knew many people got this service performed at no cost, so I spoke to the sales manager and got the fee waived.

 

Ditto for me in Illinois.

 

Be confident and persistent. When you talk to them, don't ask them, tell them. None of that "can you....." no no no. "I want you to turn off the freaking beeps. It's causing distractions and panics when I'm backing up. I almost had an accident because of this damn beeps" Tell them that you don't give a flock about Toyota's version of "safety." If safety is a concern, then Toyota should have made the beep outside of the vehicle. But instead, the beep is inside the vehicle. Tell them you've never had a car that beeps like crazy and the beep is causing distraction and panic while backing up and that's even more of a safety risk. Go through the chain of command, and ask to speak to his/her boss until it is done. If that doesn't work, ask for names and correct spelling. This usually raise the question of what are you gonna do with those names. Tell them don't worry about it. If beeps get turned off, names will be irrelevant.

I went into my local dealer that I didn't buy the Prius from. I had this pissed off look on my face. I asked the valet/greeter whose the boss. She got a service manager for me. I told them that the beep is distracting and I want it off. The tone is almost like I was yelling at him. He took the keys and drove to the back. 10 minutes later a guy in an expensive suite with some polished shoes and a bling watch pulled my Prius around. He got out of my Prius and explained to me that they couldn't turn off the beep completely. It'll beep only once when shift to reverse. I told him I know. This is what I want. This is what it should have been. I took the keys. I thanked him for the great and prompt service. I drove away wondering why the big boss brought my Prius around. They have valets for that and they were all looking at him and me and my Prius.

 

I pointed out that it's one of the dealer modifiable options listed in the owner's manual (along with door locks, head light delay, etc.). If Toyota listed it as a changable option, than obviously they intended it to be changed to the satisfaction of the customer and they don't feel it's a safety issue! My service department was not even aware of these options till I pointed them out, and they happily changed mine to the one beep at no charge...

 

I also find this stupid, asinine feature to be dangerous. It irritates me so much that I backup fast and aggressively to get it over with. I absolutely abhor it. It is, by far, the worst feature of this car. I still would like whichever person signed off on it to lose their job, no kidding. It is unbelievably stupid a feature.

 

fuzzy1,

Can you point us to the thread please?

Thanks.

I have a Gen III on order and do not want the backup beep.

 

With a brand new car that you havent taken delivery of- its a simple matter of putting your foot down.

If the beep wasnt supposed to be changed it wouldnt be changeable. The dealerships that are refusing to do it claiming "safety issues" are full of it.

wouldnt allow me to link- below is missing the "http:"
//priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-technical-discussion/64406-scangaugeii-work-2010-a-4.html#post1037042

 

I don't mind the beep but my wife hates it. With the fact the shifter returns to the same spot after shifting I think the beep helps confirm what gear you're in without looking at the dash. To each their own though

 

Hmmm, another plus to the Nav, I get a visual cue as well, a picture of what's behind me! It still beeps once when you shift to reverse, but it's nice not having to listen to the constant beep!

 

I told them to turn that beep off while they were reprogramming for the brake recall. They said they weren't sure it could be done but would check? I told them I had read it on prius chat and it was referenced as a dealer configurable item in the owners manual. Only 1 beep now!

 

I looked through manual again for the '10 and I dont see how to stop the reverse and seatbelt NOISE - really, my only complaint about these cars.... and we have 2 new ones!

 

Some owners don't like the beep. Others either don't mind it or see something positive in it--reminding them they are in the backup mode. The latter is useful when you are backing up out of a garage or public parking facility. I tend towards the latter--it reminds me I'm properly in the backup mode backing out of my garage.Especially when I'm in a rush. That little shifter can sometimes be a little shifty when you touch it to shift. It doesn't "float" to where you want it to go because you didn't touch it enough, or just right. So maybe that's why they have that beeper. I don't know. I doubt it impacts sales--may even help for the safety-minded.

Should it have a turn-off option? I don't have a problem with that. I think they had the same deal with buzzers on seatbelts in other cars that your local garage could turn off. Actually, Prius has that buzzer on both front seats--and gets very unhappy if driver or passenger forgets to fasten their seatbelt. I say amen to that.

 

I checked with my dealer and was told that it would take about an hour and would have to charge me $30.00 (US) to do it. I'll live with it, just turn the radio up