No Way to Change MPH to KPH on New 2016 Model Three

We need @Prius Team to tell us Toyota's official position on this situation.

 

Sorry it took me a while to get to the bottom of this, but I wanted to let you know I did do a little digging to try and figure out what was up here. Here's what I found:

FMVSS 101, the NHTSA Regulation for Controls and Displays, requires speedometers to display in miles per hour (MPH), and allows the addition of KPH to MPH at the option of the manufacturer - but it doesn't permit speedometers to be graduated in KPH only, since speed limits in the United States are communicated on highway signs in MPH alone.

When Prius launched, it had a digital speedometer than could only show the vehicle speed as one number (MPH or KPH, but not simultaneously). To ensure compliance with FMVSS 101 the software control that allows a customer to switch speeds from MPH to KPH was removed. They changed it to be able to switch between MPH and KPH in March 2016 as a running change for Prius LB.

Right now, a countermeasure is not available for customers that purchased a 16MY Prius with production prior to March 2016. We are aware, though, that this is a frustrating experience for our customers, and we're currently investigating whether or not another solution is available.

I don't currently have any information on whether or not our investigation will lead to anything, but I thought you'd want to know that we hear you and we're looking for a solution.

 

Thank you for the update.

 

I'm extrapolating now since I don't know the details. It's having a "KPH-only" setting on a US car that is out of compliance - it's possible it may be a new/changed requirement.

 

FYI,

As I posted in another thread as of yesterday afternoon approximately 3:00 PM east coast time the Case Manager I spoke with at Toyota Corporate told me there are no plans to fix this. Early buyers are stuck with the software bug.

Chris

 

That is a very uncool situation for customers. I hope this changes.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Yeah. I think those manufactured after Feb 2016 do not have this issue. That indicates Toyota knew they messed up.

 

I am the original poster of the other thread regarding the speedometer issue and other software problems in my 2016 Prius Four. I was told the remedy to fix the speedometer is to purchase a new 2016 or 2017 Prius to replace my new Prius.

Toyota advertises, "Let's go places." For truth in advertising, Toyota should really say, "Let's go places, except to Canada, Mexico and the rest of the planet because some Toyota speedometers can't display metric units."

As Toyota refuses to fix their broken software in the 2016 Prius, I don't think it is customer focused that Toyota owners should pay about $14,000 more to purchase a new Prius to replace their new Prius.

If Toyota can't fix the speedometer software in their 2016 Prius vehicles, as a manufacturer, they can crush my vehicle at their factory and replace it under the Toyota limited warranty.

Toyota is well aware of their software problems and I documented some of the issues on this thread.
Did Toyota delete the mph/kph selection in the speedometer of your US 2016 Prius? | PriusChat

 

The Hybrid Control ECU can output the vehicle speed via the OBD2 diagnostic port. So it should be a simple matter to create a meter in Torque or Carista to display speed in any units you want. With Gen3, the query 7e2 21 0d replies with 7ea 61 xx, where xx is the car speed in kph. Gen4 may be different.

 

and knots, in case you go on a ferry.

The easiest temporary solution is probably to buy a cheap dashcam that shows the speed in km/h.

 

If it is a "simple" matter for Toyota to fix their defective 2016 Prius, why does Toyota refuse to fix something that is simple?

 

The Michigan Vehicle Code does not allow me to add a GPS or dashcam on my dash because it can obstruct the driver's vision.
Many other states and provinces have similar driver obstructed vision regulations.

I paid an extra $1,935 for the Toyota Advanced Technology Package when I purchased my 2016 Prius Four so I could avoid any issue with purchasing additional accessories for my vehicle such as a GPS or dashcam.

Reference:
Michigan Legislature - Section 257.709

257.709 Windshields and windows; prohibitions; rearview mirrors; exceptions; windshield wipers; exemption; hot air windshield defroster or electrically heated windshield or other device; windshield device; definitions.

Sec. 709.

(1) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle with any of the following:
(a) A sign, poster, nontransparent material, window application, reflective film, or nonreflective film upon or in the front windshield, the side windows immediately adjacent to the driver or front passenger, or the sidewings adjacent to and forward of the driver or front passenger, except that a tinted film may be used along the top edge of the windshield and the side windows or sidewings immediately adjacent to the driver or front passenger if the material does not extend more than 4 inches from the top of the windshield, or lower than the shade band, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield.

 

When I called the Toyota call center regarding this issue, Toyota was useless. Their solution to this problem was for me to purchase a new Prius to replace my new Prius. Our local Toyota dealer service manager refuses to write up this issue. because Toyota has no remedy. The lemon law regulation in Michigan states you need four attempts for repair. Since my local Toyota dealer refuses to even write up the problem, it appears Toyota is trying to avoid potential lemon law litigation.

Toyota is well aware of their software problems and I documented some of the issues on this thread.
Did Toyota delete the mph/kph selection in the speedometer of your US 2016 Prius? | PriusChat

 

PM @Prius Team They are Toyota US.

 

Probably not that simple, and they're hoping it'll blow over?? I'm guessing they won't budge until backed into a corner by lawyers, if there is a case.

 

Perhaps a government mandated recall is needed to get their attention?

 

The team internally has told me that they're doing some investigating to try and find a more general solution if one is available. There isn't an individual solution available currently that our support teams can offer directly to owners, which I imagine is why you're not able to get help from the support team. But we are definitely looking into whether there's anything we can do.

Unfortunately I can't give you a date when I'll know more, or a guarantee that a solution will be available. But we're looking.

 

Torque and Carista are applications that are run on an Android cell phone/tablet or iPhone. You don't need to convince Toyota of anything to solve the problem by setting up Torque/Carista. Or you could get an aftermarket car GPS. My Garmin RV 760LMT displays speed in either units, as well as the current speed limit in most areas. I assume other models do as well.

 

I have a ScanGauge II mounted on my dash. It can be programmed to display four "gauges" at a time one of which can be KPH. I have attached a couple of photos, one showing where I mounted the ScanGauge and the other a closeup of the four gauges I have displayed. The KPH is at the top left. The degrees fahrenheit water temperature (lower right gauge) can be changed to degrees centigrade if you want an all metric display

Lou