My appointment for tinting is next Wednesday. I just noticed: On page 138 of my NAV owner's manual it states "window tinting may obstruct GPS signals...we advise against the use of window tinting on vehicles equiped with navigational systems" Is this true? Please post here if you have window tinting and a NAV system. I would like to know if you do, or if you don't have trouble with your NAV system through window tint.
In most states it's illegal to tint the windshield. If they don't tint the windshield the tinting won't interfere with the NAV. The NAV antenna is in the dash. Of course, if they do tint the windshield you could always have an outside NAV antenna installed.
For future readers, potential interference depends on the type of window tinting. There are dyed tints that don't interfere with anything and are cheap, but may fade or discolor with time, there are metalic tints, which are higher quality and resist fading, but may possibly interfere with AM radio, GPS and other signals, then there are ceramic/carbon tints which are very expensive, but don't interfere with signals and are more resistant to fading.
The GPS antenna is in the dash. Most tints will not bother it, especially now that we are mostly using the advanced GPS system (Si). Even if the tint does reduce the signal, it is usually strong enough the GPS will still work. Of course my experience is with aftermarket (Garmin) units. I wouldn't pay the $4000 for the "stock" Toyota system. Also, as posted above, the ceramic tints don't affect radio signals.
I saw the same article in the book and called Toyato, who reffered me back to the dealer, who told me he never heard of it.He checked it out with the tinting guy, and reassured me there would be no problem, so I had my windows tinted. legal in Florida.
Oh yea maybe it is th AM antenna that is in th back window. I read about it in the manual somewhere. G
So far I've learned that window tint may or may not interfere depending where you place your antenna using an aftermarket GPS system. Really, I'm shocked to hear that. Of course, the manual is referring to the factory installed unit so how the above is relevant is beyond me. In the future it might be helpful to mention when stating "facts" such as where the antenna is located - how one determined that "fact" would be useful.
Both wife's Prii and mine have Dealer installed Ceramic tinting with no Nav, radio or Tire Pressure System signal interference.
