It's 2012 already. Why doesn't my car talk to my computer? My phone does, my thermostat does, but to control my car, I need to use "Easter eggs" which are sequences of actions that control functions that are not normally available to mere mortals. OK, my car's a mere 2011. For example, to disable and re-enable the SKS, I need to go through a complex series of actions, something like this: Unlock the door, open the door, press the unlock button twice, close and reopen the door twice, press the unlock button twice, etc. There's another set of actions to disable the reverse beep. I'm sure there are many others as well. PLEEZZEE, don't tell me that mere users shouldn't access their cars' computers. I'm sure that the mission-critical stuff, like when it shifts, and how it mixes the fuel, can be isolated and protected from users, while the accessories can be controlled. A simple XML app attached to a USB port on the dashboard should do it. And, you could disable it when the car is in gear so some idiot doesn't get distracted while driving, while another button could bring it back to factory defaults in case it gets too weird. It CAN be made safe and harmless. Any Toyota technical types watching? It's time to enter the third millenium. My computer is waiting anxiously to talk to my car, so it can be the equal of my telephone and my thermostat. Be the first to bring cars into the modern age. The world is ready. It's a bit of a rant, I know. Sorry.
Your computer and your car can talk you just have to pay to play. https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInf...VwZCTmy1LKQpXF8MWbb5p7dT21ByK2vg76xnwLLG9CWg6
I guess you can do anything if you're willing to pay enough. I'd seen mention of Techstream products, but thanks for the link. I still think they owe me a USB connector on the dash, and an app to drive it. The first car company to do this will have a leg up on the others. Mike
This is one of the things that I was spoiled with when I owned VW's. Ross-tech's VAG-COM allows plenty of interaction with the car. You cannot change fuel mixes or engine schematics (probably for our own good.) But we could disable TPMS, seatbelt chimes, airbags, lighting characteristics, et cetera all through a fairly user friendly GUI. The cost was about $250-350 for the OBD-II plug depending on which version you got, but you can pull together with friends or just borrow someones for a 6-pack of beer. You could also diagnose CEL's and check systems, which for a VW was crucial.
OBD-II adapter and Techstream make a magician's tricks. The automotive industry doesn't like Wintel technology.
Plenty of Easter eggs can be assessed if you have the right tools as mentioned. And you get more of them the more options you have on your car (such as enabling rear view camera while driving if you have the adv. tech package).
I can ditto that. It would be nice if Ross-Tech would come out with something for the Prius. Oh well.
OpenXC OpenXC hasn't been officially released yet, and it's read-only (soooo watered-down), but it's a step in the right direction. It's a Ford internal effort but you can see they're trying to get others to join them. Further in the future, it looks like CANbus is moving to an Ethernet physical-layer transport. The messaging will be largely unchanged, but you won't need a USB-to-CAN adapter anymore. Give it 5-10 years. Personally, I'm annoyed that Renault isn't in the US anymore: Their in-dash infotainment head-unit is Android-based.
On my Triumph motorcycle, albeit software wise it's much less capable than a Prius, I can access ALL parameters. I can load different fuel/power maps, change cooling fan engagement temps, run diagnostics, service modes, and tests, etc., all from my laptop via freeware and a $20 OBDII-USB cable. Life is good. :rockon:
I agree that Toyota could and should enable some settinga via Settings menu on the dash. I can agree with car manufacturers not to add USB connector for settings. It's just a big security risk and easy way to infect/damage car. In Alfa Romeo I could set for example single/3-door open on first click, enable/disable RDS radio repeated on the dashboard, enable/disable doors auto-lock on certain speed, follow-me lights and few other things stright from the steeting wheel. I don't see any point why similiars settings like SKS, auto-lights, single beep for reverse and few other things can't be set without Techstream. Their are not drive security settings only user level preferences. Now with advanced touch screen in every 2012 Prius it would be even easier. On the other hand I was able to upgrade Windows Mobile in Alfa Romeo via USB memory without any effort. Just download new firmware from Fiat, put the car in IG-ON and start upgrade. 30 minutes later car was upgraded with new features (and that lovely message "Restarting (Windows) on the dash ).
