DanTheMan
Rising Sun Member
Congrats Jeff! I'm happy for you! Can't wait till you review its off-road abilities.
2024 Land Cruiser "250 series"
- Thread starter Hulk
- Start date
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
Hopefully I can get this ironed out, but it may take a trip down the hill to Groove. When I first got my 250, I bluetooth paired it with my phone and discovered that unlike my wife's RAV4, navigation does NOT live in the car's brains, and it appears to have no GPS of its own but instead relies on your phone. Which sucks if the GPS in your phone is sketchy like mine is. But, I had a google map at least.
To make matters worse, they really really really want you to download and install the Toyota app, which I did the next day. Okay, now I can start the car, lock the doors and roll up the windows from my phone. Big deal
. It'll also tell me how many PSI in each of the tires.
But now, I have no navigation! When you select the map from the touchscreen, it insists that you "get started" with "Drive Connect". So when you select it, it wants to text a link to your phone. Then you have to put in your phone number (which the car already has anyway), and then the text they send...wait for it...has a link to download and install the Toyota app, which is already installed. If you tap on the link it...opens the Toyota app.
I went around and around with this for a couple days. I emailed the sales guy and he suggested uninstalling and reinstalling the app, which I did. It made no difference, and I still can't get a damn map!
FINALLY, yesterday I spent abut an hour in the driveway exploring every nook and cranny of the touchscreen and the app, and discovered that this "Drive Connect" is a PAID SUBSCRIPTION that wants either $15/mo or $25/mo depending on the level of fanciness for a damn map. I JUST WANT MY DAMN MAP!!!!!
BTW, none of this is in either the owner's manual or the multimedia manual. The multimedia manual just says to select the navigation icon for the map. This is making me really, really mad.
To make matters worse, they really really really want you to download and install the Toyota app, which I did the next day. Okay, now I can start the car, lock the doors and roll up the windows from my phone. Big deal
. It'll also tell me how many PSI in each of the tires. But now, I have no navigation! When you select the map from the touchscreen, it insists that you "get started" with "Drive Connect". So when you select it, it wants to text a link to your phone. Then you have to put in your phone number (which the car already has anyway), and then the text they send...wait for it...has a link to download and install the Toyota app, which is already installed. If you tap on the link it...opens the Toyota app.
I went around and around with this for a couple days. I emailed the sales guy and he suggested uninstalling and reinstalling the app, which I did. It made no difference, and I still can't get a damn map!
FINALLY, yesterday I spent abut an hour in the driveway exploring every nook and cranny of the touchscreen and the app, and discovered that this "Drive Connect" is a PAID SUBSCRIPTION that wants either $15/mo or $25/mo depending on the level of fanciness for a damn map. I JUST WANT MY DAMN MAP!!!!!
BTW, none of this is in either the owner's manual or the multimedia manual. The multimedia manual just says to select the navigation icon for the map. This is making me really, really mad.
Johnny Utah
Rising Sun Member
Thanks for sharing Jeff, it sounds super frustrating. I appreciate this kind of info because it reaffirms my belief about the potential for intrusive systems with new vehicles. Big picture, this isn't a deal breaker, but it does concern me enough that I think about it.
It's too bad that you had to download and use proprietary apps for your new cruiser. It's also too bad that it has a monthly subscription attached to it. I would love to have a new vehicle one day, but I don't want "nanny" monitors, subscriptions, and the seemingly ever-growing data mining that comes with them.
Oddly enough, my wife's 2023 Honda CRV hybrid does not require apps or subscriptions, nor did it come with lane change monitoring (omitted due to chip shortage). It does have smart cruise control and proximity monitors, but I don't mind those so much. We enjoy the vehicle and can just "get in and drive" without any systems controlling anything. Is it harvesting data from us? Not sure...
It's too bad that you had to download and use proprietary apps for your new cruiser. It's also too bad that it has a monthly subscription attached to it. I would love to have a new vehicle one day, but I don't want "nanny" monitors, subscriptions, and the seemingly ever-growing data mining that comes with them.
Oddly enough, my wife's 2023 Honda CRV hybrid does not require apps or subscriptions, nor did it come with lane change monitoring (omitted due to chip shortage). It does have smart cruise control and proximity monitors, but I don't mind those so much. We enjoy the vehicle and can just "get in and drive" without any systems controlling anything. Is it harvesting data from us? Not sure...
@Rzeppa: Can you connect with either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (depending on what type of phone you have)? If so, you should be able to bypass the Toyota app and just take over the screen like it's a mirror of your phone with a different layout. Then you can use the mapping application of choice on your phone.
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
Yes, I think so. At one point my phone was wanting me to open Android Auto while it was on the lock screen. When I unlocked the phone that message went away. I don't think I have it on my phone though, guess I'll have to look.
My wife's RAV4 is so much simpler. You just press the voice button on the steering wheel, and the car verbally asks you what you want, then you say something like"Navigation" and then "Where is the nearest Taco Bell" and it figures out what you want and sets the route for you, and verbally reminds you when the turns are coming up etc.
Also, on her car I can play the MP3s that I have on my phone. So far the Land Cruiser doesn't seem to "see" that they even exist. But the radio works
gungriffin
Rising Sun Member
One item that wasn't more clear with my Mom's new Highlander was that it was possible to remote start by double pressing the lock button. I use that feature on my cars quite a bit as they aren't parked in a garage.
It really sucks to hear that certain features that feel like they should be included as standard are behind a paywall. That is frustrating for sure!
I always use Android Auto when available as I believe it to be a superior user interface. I would use Apple Carplay if I had an iPhone. The item that is important with Google maps on my phone is that it keeps the landmarks up to date unlike the built in maps with a vehicle. It even downloads the map and POIs for a trip if it believes there might be connectivity issues. I believe Android Auto is part of the operating system and it should not require a separate app download.
It really sucks to hear that certain features that feel like they should be included as standard are behind a paywall. That is frustrating for sure!
I always use Android Auto when available as I believe it to be a superior user interface. I would use Apple Carplay if I had an iPhone. The item that is important with Google maps on my phone is that it keeps the landmarks up to date unlike the built in maps with a vehicle. It even downloads the map and POIs for a trip if it believes there might be connectivity issues. I believe Android Auto is part of the operating system and it should not require a separate app download.
J1000
Rising Sun Member
That really sucks Jeff. It sounds like maybe by having you download the app you unwittingly agreed to who knows what and were able to change your truck's software with an over the air update.
Maybe you can get your salesman or the dealer to help you return the software to the original condition and then just never, ever download something from Toyota again.
Maybe you can get your salesman or the dealer to help you return the software to the original condition and then just never, ever download something from Toyota again.
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
Yeah, both my wife's RAV4 and my new Land Cruiser can be remote-started with the smart key. You press "Lock" twice within 2 seconds, then press it a third time and hold it down for 3 seconds. The flashers on the car lets you know that you have successfully communicated. This feature is NOWHERE in the owner's manual!!!
Oddly, I have Android Auto in the list of apps on my phone in the settings, but I have no icon to invoke it. I guess I'll have to figure out how it is supposed to work. I didn't even know I had it.
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
Exactly! I am going to call Groove's service department today and see if they can help me. It appears my sales guy is a bit over his head on this.
I have been looking at this for a bit as the new Tacoma is the same way
I was told I could load the MP3's using a memory stick into the internal memory
Android Auto is what most folks do
They paywall stuff comes with a free trail period
I don't have my truck yet. It just got off the train in Montana and then ONCE loaded (been there 3 days) has a couple day truck ride to the dealer in Boise I bought it from. I got $3700 off MSRP is why I bought from them.
I was told I could load the MP3's using a memory stick into the internal memory
Android Auto is what most folks do
They paywall stuff comes with a free trail period
I don't have my truck yet. It just got off the train in Montana and then ONCE loaded (been there 3 days) has a couple day truck ride to the dealer in Boise I bought it from. I got $3700 off MSRP is why I bought from them.
gungriffin
Rising Sun Member
On vehicles that have it, Android Auto has been initiated from the vehicle side of the electronics. You have to go through quite a connection process the first time that it is connected within the vehicle infotainment system. Most people seem to prefer Android Auto and Apple Carplay to the in vehicle system once they get over the learning curve.
My Mom was super peeved that her 50k Highlander didn't have remote start. I agree that it wasn't covered in the owner's manual anywhere I could find either. A quick Google search showed how it was done. I believe that it could have been an attempt to get people to download the "Drive Connect" app by making them believe it was the only way they could access remote starting capabilities. Not cool Toyota.
Also, good luck with finding an acceptable resolution. New cars are definitely more complicated!
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
I just got off the phone with Nathanial in the service department at Groove. He told me to use Android Auto, and explained that in order to do that, I have to first connect the phone to the car via actual USB cable. There are 3 USB ports, two for charging and one is for actual data, that's the one I have to connect to. I just looked, it is a USB C, so I can't use my USB A to USB C cable I normally use with my phone, I will have to go buy a USB C to USB C cable. Anyway, he said that once the car's infotainment system is introduced to my phone via Android Auto, it will then work wirelessly.
gungriffin
Rising Sun Member
That is interesting to hear about connecting through the cables first. I guess I have always done that and just not realized it. One heads up, if the 250 came with wireless charging, that almost always sucks. I jokingly call wireless chargers phones heaters. On almost all phones charging will occur quickest through a USB-C to USB-C connection. I would highly recommend switching your USB-A to USB-C cables.
Anker makes really really good cables for the price. $8 with shipping for 2x 3 ft USB-C to USB-C cables on Amazon. Here is a non affiliate link:
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
I don't know if my phone even has wireless charging, it's a Motorola Moto G. But I am pretty sure the 1958 Land Cruiser doesn't have that, IIRC that is only on the higher trim models. My wife's RAV4 has wireless charging, but that's the Limited, which is the highest trim for RAV4s.
I use the USB A to USB C for both charging from regular plug in charging adapters and also for transferring data to and from PCs, I have never had occasion to need USB C to USB C until now.
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
Requiring a cable connection first is a security step to minimize chance of remotely hacking the system just by driving around parking lots or unauthorized access via Bluetooth or WLAN. It makes sense when you think about it.
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
Turns out I didn't need a cable. The sales guy said I just needed to go to the bluetooth setting on both the touchscreen and on the phone and enable Android Auto. Counterintuitively, I first had to disable the existing bluetooth pairing between the car and my phone, then I could enable Android Auto from the touchscreen. And now I have a map again! Woohoo!
Geez, my wife's 2021 RAV4 is soooooo much simpler!
I just put my deposit down this morning.
premium in Traildust. Will probably have to settle for a black interior. Toyota seems to only be shipping Java interior to east and west coast. I want to purchase at my local dealer.
premium in Traildust. Will probably have to settle for a black interior. Toyota seems to only be shipping Java interior to east and west coast. I want to purchase at my local dealer.
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With respect to the tech. Dealerships at this point should be required by Toyota to have delivery specialists that walk you through all this at time of purchase. 15 years ago when I was selling cars we were required to know how to set up everything we sold. Sometimes this took hours. When I pick up mine I fully expect to sign, have someone toss me the keys, and say “go bust bugs”
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
Just to circle back and close the loop on this tyre thing. Found the original spare Dunlop Snow Cruiser (or perhaps actually one of the original wheels since it's got hub cap clips?) from Dean's 1980 pickup. Size is H78-15 tubeless.
Wheel made March 1980.
Tyre was made 13th week in 1980.
Wheel made March 1980.
Tyre was made 13th week in 1980.
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
That was pretty much my experience at Groove. When I first bought a new 2015 RAV4 at Stevinson West, the sales guy Curtis Rogers took like an hour or so going over all the fancy tech. When I bought a new 2021 from him, there was a ton of similarity so he didn't need to go over as much with me. I assumed that there would be a lot of similarity between the 2021 RAV4 and the 250 Land Cruiser, but that wasn't the case!