Travel a lot and in past have had aftermarket alarm system I can activate from separate fob when I feel I have to leave car in a vulnerable location. Have new 2013 Prius v and want to know options for same on the Prius. I know that Toyota sells system for about $500 that is integrated into the Toyota key fob and fancy system for walking up to car and gripping the handle for opening the door. I don't know if this system is sensitive to window breaking and 'shim' to door lock. Or, is 'shim' to door lock picked up by standard Toyota system and triggers alarm? I have had different reports from aftermarket vendors - - one claiming a simple system, not wired into Prius, that includes any knock against a window triggering the alarm, for about $400. Another said, "Not possible! Buy the Toyota system. It is a bargain." So, how could is the Toyota system? My 2 local dealers don't know very much about the Toyota alarm system with respect to window breaking and door shims. Any comments, thoughts, or otherwise knowledgeable info? TMosh
I'm pretty sure the Toyota system includes a glass breakage sensor. The car itself is as theft proof as a car can be. Lets face it, alarms only serve to notify you that the car has been broken into.
I actually installed the Toyota alarm myself. I bought it from an eBay seller that I had asked if he could provide the installation instructions. It is a nicely integrated unit, and although you would need TIS access to program it yourself, the instructions are VERY detailed, including where to put wire ties. I would recommend the factory system. As Jimbo referenced the PriusChat shop you could possibly buy it online if your local dealer would be willing to install it for you, or even do it yourself and just get it programmed. (I purchased an MVCI cable on eBay and was able to use a subscription to TIS to program it...)
I asked a while ago about alarm systems for my ’13 Prius v. We travel at times with stuff in back with seats folded down. We cover all with a cargo net and black sheet and have tinted windows; but, still feel vulnerable overnight or leaving car for hours. I was interested in comparison of Toyota or aftermarket systems. Little or no substantive response on Chat about alarms. Two Toyota dealers knew only about what was in parts book & neither service dept. had ever installed unit. Toyota unit is about $375 and all it does is add glass breakage to what is standard on a version 2. Using VIN, both dealers said uncertain whether labor would be $250 or $450 (+tax), depending upon if car was prewired or not under dash. VIN didn’t clarify that issue. SOUNDS ON WHEELS in Spokane, WA installed extremely comprehensive unit, model ca1551 by CODE ALARM, including glass breakage. Company has been making car alarms for over 2 decades. It uses the Toyota keyless entry fob and works same as stock system by simply walking up to car. When armed, it has 2 small blue flashing LEDs, facing forward & to each side, in a small unit located on inside of windshield, above the rear view mirror mounts. Installed price was $475+tax. Tmosh
I have the RS3200 and installed it myself following carefully the instructions. I have a TIS and turned the security option on. The car works like before (lock, unlock, windows, etc.), but the alarm does not work. Any suggestions?
Get inside the car with a glass jar or cup and a spoon. Arm the car. Tap the glass. Alarm should go off. If you have TIS and a connection to the car you should be able to pull up some DTCs? There was a loose connection after bringing back the car home from the dealer after they activated the remote start. A lot of strange codes came up. Once I found the connection that was loose by trying to press them together again everything was okay. The symptom was once I put the passenger kick panel back in it stopped working. Once I removed the passenger kick panel it did work.
