Just picked up a new 2012 Three with solar roof. I think the only thing that I don't like about the car is the lack of reference lines on the backup camera. Is there anyway to add them or is it a deep dark secret programming thing? I wonder if some thin pinstripping tape applied to the lens might provide some reference. Any thoughts?
No beep because there are no ultrasonic sensors, so the car doesn't know how far it's from an object. The beep you hear is the engine on warning courtesy of Toyota to warn you that the car is on. Not a backup sensor warning. I am curious with the lines too, because they have them on the Pruis C. Since we are on the topic of backup camera, my 2012 BMW X5M came with the newest "Top view" parking system. Basically it gives you a from the top satellite view of your car and it's surrounding. The system is so accurate and precise you can backup your car and park inches from an object. It's by far the best backup system I've ever used. This new feature is made possible by using a total of 5 cameras around the car, 2 in the front bumper, 2 under the side mirror, and one in the rear. The computer stitches all 5 pictures together and make a complete scene of everything on the ground around the car. One of the coolest car features I've ever seen, it is also one feature I use all the time to allow me to park perfectly from the curb and within a parking spot. The first time my wife saw this feature in the car she asked me how is it possible a satellite from the sky is taking live video of our car?
the beeping is deceiving to new people driving, because when i hear it, it's usually with cars that have the back-up sensors like on my BMW and Jeep - intensity changes when objects get closer.
I can't speak to how well it works, but the '13 Leaf optionally can have a similar system that Nissan calls Around View Monitor. I've known of other luxury cars besides yours w/a similar feature. However, Nissan's making it available on an econobox, the 2014 Nissan Versa Note Hatchback | Nissan USA.
Well, at one time ABS brakes and airbag were found on high end expensive cars only. Like everything else, now days technology is all based sand (silicon). Sand is cheap, at the end of the day the whole revolution of going silicon is to make it cheap.
If I am not mistaken, the 2010 - 2011 Five with the Auto Park feature had those lines. For 2012 they removed that feature, which I don't care for, but the lines are gone to. The lines will be especially useful on this car, because the camera is off center, sometimes it is hard to gauge the objects on the passenger side. Now it really piss me off to find out the c has the lines and the Five does not.
I think the lines are a software feature in the head unit. When you turn the wheel, the lines are supposed to turn with the steering input. Toyota just chose to disable it. I seem to remember they are still on the Euro models. Looks like they get better Nav too?
