Hidden Features

[stugray]

Here's one (unbeknownst to most BMW & Mercedes drivers):

To the left of the steering column, there is a little stick that pokes out.

If you push it up (to go right) and down (to go left) you can magically transmit your intention to turn or change lanes to other drivers in your vicinity.

[InspGadgt]

Originally Posted by humfrz

If the sound generator is making too much sound inside the cabin, they supplied a plug (from the outlet behind the glovebox) to stuff into the mouth of the sound generator tube where it comes through the firewall.


humfrz

What is this "sound generator" I've seen mentioned a few times? What is it's purpose?

[chaoskaze]

Originally Posted by InspGadgt

What is this "sound generator" I've seen mentioned a few times? What is it's purpose?

It's a tube that goes off from the side of intake to the passenger side cabin. So you have more engine noise in car. There are also different type tubes you can install to amplify/mute the sound coming through it.


Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

[blackhawkdown]

Originally Posted by InspGadgt

What is this "sound generator" I've seen mentioned a few times? What is it's purpose?

the purpose of the sound generator fools the driver how powerful and fast the twins are. usually it is accompany by the driver making car noises to help the car move faster.

[InspGadgt]

Interesting...is it too quiet without the tube? I find mine right now to be a tad quieter than my tC was. I haven't pushed it yet though since the engine is still breaking in.

[blackhawkdown]

Originally Posted by InspGadgt

Interesting...is it too quiet without the tube? I find mine right now to be a tad quieter than my tC was. I haven't pushed it yet though since the engine is still breaking in.

you will regret those words when the crickets come

[azian_advanced]

- it hasn't been mentioned in this thread, but you can access all the hidden dealer settings by connecting your car to a Windows XP machine (or a virtual machine running WinXP) using a cheap $20 cable on eBay (example) and setting them using Toyota's TechStream software (available here).
Here are some of the settings I changed:
-rear window & mirror defrost to stay on all the time when activated, instead of timing out after 15 mins,
-when auto climate control is turned on, A/C is off by default
- when walking away after locking the doors, the headlights only stay on for 30 secs
- disabled occupant detection buzzer (for my heated seat install).



- on the 10-series (not sure about monogram and other fr-s), you can flip your rear trunk mat upside down to expose the rubber-side facing up. this is great when you're bringing dirty junk with you in the car. easy to clean, no need to vacuum, and keeps your precious 10-series embroidery clean & intact.



- the car comes pre-wired for a compass/homelink mirror upgrade (but, most of you already know this)



- the cigarette lighter socket in the centre console provides enough current (amps) for aftermarket heated seat elements on both seats (assuming they are ~60 watts per seat). you just need to disable the passenger seat belt warning chime using TechStream (refer to 1st point above). a "must have" mod for those living in cold climates and don't own a BRZ Limited or monogram.



- if you've ever wondered what "ASL" and "ASR" are on your base headunit audio settings and never knew what they meant, then read below:

ASL (Automatic Sound Levelizer): Adjusts the audio volume due to increasing noise based on driving speed. Set to Low-Mid-High for different sensitivity levels.

ASR (Automatic Sound Retriever): Adjusts for better/richer quality of MP3/WMA/AAC sound based on audio compression quality. Set to LOW RATE for low compression media, and HIGH RATE for high compression media.




-The base & premium stereos (not sure about the 2014MY stereosl) are capable of wiring steering wheel controls (Mode, Vol Up, and Vol Down). The owner's manual says so and the dealer troubleshooting guide shows which pins in the harnesses do what. I can send the document to whoever is willing to take up this task.



-not exactly a hidden feature, but did you know that the M/T's 6th gear is shorter than A/T's 5th? that's like having 2 extra gears for freeway/highway driving!



-also did you know that our 6 spd MT are air-cooled internally?





-the passenger seat occupant detection sensor can tell the difference between a person sitting and a child seat installed on it.
the airbags will remain deactivated if the sensor detects that a child seat is installed.
however, electronic devices can also trigger the sensor to think an occupant is present.



- in the event of an emergency shutdown while in motion, you can either hold the start button for 2 secs or press it 3 times quickly to kill the engine.
(10-series/monogram/brz limited)

[czechm8]

Good stuff!

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by InspGadgt

What is this "sound generator" I've seen mentioned a few times? What is it's purpose?

The sound tube pipes intake noise to a little hole in the firewall behind the carpet on the passenger side. The "sound generator" itself is a canister attached in-line about halfway through the sound tube that has a membrane in it to help transmit engine noise through the pipe. It has no performance purpose whatsoever. Its only purpose is superficial. You can take it out as long as you plug the intake hole.

I didn't mind the sound of it, but I plugged the grommet in the firewall with the cigarette lighter plug cap (which is made to fit) and was pleasantly surprised at the (slight) difference. The car doesn't really seem any quieter, but the sound of the exhaust note seems more pronounced without competition from the sound tube. I find that my car seems to sound best in the cockpit with the sound tube plugged and the rear seat down.

[InspGadgt]

Originally Posted by blackhawkdown

you will regret those words when the crickets come

Are you speaking of general noises like the dash squeaking and such or the chirp noise I hear mentioned with the fuel pump? I'd be pretty disappointed if the dash started squeaking...my 8 yr old tC never developed squeaks like that and I would hope this car would be at least of the same quality. If you are speaking of the chirp from the fuel pump I read that was fixed in the later 2014s so hopefully my 2015 doesn't have this issue.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by InspGadgt

If you are speaking of the chirp from the fuel pump I read that was fixed in the later 2014s so hopefully my 2015 doesn't have this issue.

LOL. You read wrong.

[InspGadgt]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21904

Yeah I see now someone still has the issue with the new pump but it is not as bad as before. It also sounds like it reacts differently to different quality gas. I rarely ever use the gas that is reported to cause the chirp. Pretty much only use Chevron or 76 which most people report works fine.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by InspGadgt

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21904

Yeah I see now someone still has the issue with the new pump but it is not as bad as before. It also sounds like it reacts differently to different quality gas. I rarely ever use the gas that is reported to cause the chirp. Pretty much only use Chevron or 76 which most people report works fine.

That's the wrong thread. You want this one:

Engine idle chirping (cricket) noise poll.

Be sure to read all of it.

I appreciate your optimism, but the "new" pump does not improve the crickets. My 2014 has the "new" pump. I have crickets. Most of us do. They are just as loud as the old crickets.

Chevron and 76 do not necessarily get rid of crickets. I have found that Chevron in my area is usually quieter than Shell, but it's not consistent from station to station. The only thing that is consistent is that if I fill up at Sam's Club (Murphy Oil), the crickets will scream like nothing you've ever heard.

I found an ethanol-free station. Ethanol-free gas did not exterminate the crickets. Some people have had good luck with it, but my car is living proof that it's not a reliable solution.

Enjoy your crickets when they come, which they inevitably will. Just relax and imagine yourself out on the porch at dusk with an adult beverage.

[CokeSlap]

2500 chirp free miles with 0 ethanol premium used.