Not happy with Toyota over seat belt chime

I can confirm that the ScanGauge II can be used to change the reverse beep to one beep because I did it. I didn't do the seat belt chime.

 

How many dealers have you tried? Obviously most won't do it because it's a huge liability.

You can just wear your seatbelt, problem solved.

 

You get killed on the way to the grocery store and the dealer doesn't want to be held liable for that, it's as simple as that.

 

That liability line is pure BS.

It's time to find someone at the dealer that gives a crap. Talk to everyone you can find: your salesman, the sales manager, the service manager, the gm, the owner. Explain what you want & that if it isn't done pronto it will be reflected on the customer satisfaction survey. If none of them have the backbone to intercede on your behalf then they deserve the absolute lowest scores in every category on your survey. Maybe if it costs someone a bonus or a job or some brownie points with Toyota then it won't happen to the next buyer.

 

Obviously it won't be when the OP's lawyer goes after the dealer or Toyota when he gets killed. You can thank our broken legal system for that (especially given the "you can get it changed outside the United States" line).

 

I am not sure Indiana has seat belt law, if so, the dealer will not do it because there will be a law requiring the chime. But you can turn it off yourself if you know how to do it.

 

Let's back up a second. The seat belt beep can't be turned off but it can be changed to a single beep. Any delaer should change any of the customizable settings without a hassle. Those who won't are either ignorant, lazy, or scummy.

Holman Toyota in NJ turned both of my seat belt chimes to "one" with zero hassle.

The bottom line is they can do it & should do it without a hassle. I'd open a complaint with Toyota anyway & slam the dealer on the survey.

 

Sorry, I missed the implied "but they changed the reverse beep" in your post.


I've read in other threads here that people have used a ScanGauge II to disable the seatbelt chime. On top of that it's a useful tool for improving mpg as well as reading diagnostic codes. So, if you get desperate, you will end up with something useful.

The following post (
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...lp-disabling-reverse-beep-16.html#post1256721 ) links to a spreadsheet of codes. It includes reverse beep query/toggle and seatbelt chime query/toggle.

If you want a ScanGauge II you can buy them retail for $160, including from PC. CleanMPG does occasional group buys on them for less.

 

Like all other states, Indiana must have a seat belt law or else they won't get Federal Highway funds.

If I was the decision maker of Toyota Corp. about the seat belt chime, there is no way I would authorize disabling or changing the seat belt chime. 2 reasons; safety and liability. You may not care, but the family you leave behind WILL sue and Toyota cannot take you at your word that they won't. I absolutely require everyone in my vehicle to wear their seat belt, no matter how far the trip. Most fatalities are within 25 miles of home, and at last check, that includes a 4 block trip to the local store. Most states have a primary seat belt law, meaning the police/highway patrol/sheriff can pull you over for nothing more than not wearing a seat belt. Granted, the seat belt law is a bit "big brother", but it's necessary when people won't act responsibly on their own.

 

There's what is technically possible (i.e. the car software can be changed to one chime), and there's what a dealer is willing to do, which apparently does not include changing something that *can* be technically changed, because of their fear of liability.

Here are some options:

1. Continue to badger your dealer. Whine, scream, tantrum.
2. Sue your dealer (and/or Toyota).
3. Purchase your own ScangaugeII and change the code yourself.
4. Find someone who already has a scangague and ask them if you can put it on your car and change the code yourself. Pay them a fee to entice them.
5. Continue to complain on PriusChat.

Personally I recommend #4 as your fastest option. Post a request on City-Data.com forum for your city and I bet someone in your area will help you out!

 

Get the ScanGauge II so I can borrow it sometime

 

As for making a point, I think that's what Toyota is trying to do with their seat belt chimes.

I was not the least bit curious about what the manual says versus what Toyota will do re: seat belt chimes because it never occurred to me that I might or will ever want to change it.

 

Critter, I would let you use my SG if you were close by.

I begged and pleaded with the dealer just to get the reverse beeps disabled. They wouldn't even consider the belt beeps. And yes, I thought this was crazy to have adjustments in the manual that couldn't be performed by the owner, let alone having the dealer do. Another oversight by management.

 

Dude, I gave you some viable options, a couple of them quite helpful, IMHO. Yet you focus on something you perceive as negative.

Seriously, I agree with you that it's ridiculous that Toyota and/or your particular dealer is being very rigid on this issue. Yes, it sucks and it sucks bad. So now that we agree it sucks, what next...?

And yes, an owner shouldn't have to do it themselves....

The good news here is that it is possible for an owner to change that code if they have the equipment to do it.

You could also go to a local Autozone retailer and ask the guy to hook up their ScanguageII. With the cheat sheet of Prius codes in hand you could get that code entered right then and there. I got Autozone to read and then clear a check engine light code on my Saab and they did it for me, no charge.

So now you have another option that doesn't require you to purchase a scangauge or visit the dealer.

 

priuscritter makes a fair point ... if the manual states that the seatbelt chime can be set from constant beep to one beep by the dealer, then the dealer should do it. Unless of course there exists state or federal law requiring the constant beeping. Otherwise it should not be listed in the manual as a configurable item.

I got my dealer to change the setting on backup to a single beep, but left the seatbelt beep on as I am a strong proponent of seat belts.

The question isn't to wear or not wear seat belts, but how to get dealer to honor what is stated in the owner's manual.