1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Window tinting may obstruct GPS signals!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by PriusRos, Sep 5, 2009.

  1. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    1,973
    218
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    How many of you who have nav and are think of having or have had your windows tinted saw this little gem in the Navigation System Owner's Manual, page 306?

    NOTICE
    The installation of window tinting may obstruct the GPS signals. Most window tinting contains some metallic content that will interfere with GPS signal reception of the antenna in the instrument panel. We advise against the use of window tinting on vehicles equipped with navigation systems.
     
    #1 PriusRos, Sep 5, 2009
  2. banshee08

    banshee08 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2009
    284
    72
    0
    Location:
    El Monte, CA USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I don't have the Nav but I have issues with Metalic Window Tints with AM/FM and Cellphones in most BMW(s) I have worked on. There are ceramic tints and charcoal based tints that don't have these problems but they definitely cost a whole lot more than the usual $100 to $200 shops. I tint my cars myself and always use charcoal based tints to avoid the signal issues.

     
    #2 banshee08, Sep 5, 2009
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,591
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I've owned 3 cars now with nav and never had a problem with the gps being affected by the window tint. All my tint was non ceramic.

    I've read about this in many places but although some have had issues it seems, to me at least, the overwhelming majority do not have issues using non ceramic tint in their nav equipped vehicles.
     
    #3 Paradox, Sep 5, 2009
  4. LRKingII

    LRKingII New Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2009
    679
    132
    0
    Location:
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I have charcol based 35 on all my windows except the windshield of course
    and no problems at all.
     
    #4 LRKingII, Sep 5, 2009
  5. NMREGAN

    NMREGAN New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2009
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    california
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I have 3M film on my car and GPS works fine.
     
    #5 NMREGAN, Sep 5, 2009
  6. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    1,973
    218
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Do you think it's a case of Toyota covering themselves, just in case? :eek:

    You'd think that if this had really been a problem, the warning would be placed somewhere a little more prominent than the appendix of the nav system owner's manual.
     
    #6 PriusRos, Sep 5, 2009
  7. shawnb2

    shawnb2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    533
    107
    22
    Location:
    Thousand Oaks, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I guess my tint doesn't have whatever it is that interferes with the signal because every last window in the car has tint on it. Only the sun strip on the windshield was the cause a problem for the LKA and I just cut a nice looking notch out of it to give the camera a clear view. Because of the angle of the windshield and the fact it has the black strips near the rear view mirror it blends in really nice. You can't hardly even notice the notch of clear glass there except when the sun hits you just right. I can deal with that. I guess just ask before getting your windows done to make sure there isn't anything like that in it.
     
    #7 shawnb2, Sep 5, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)