I'll preface this with, "I'm an idiot" but just curious as to your thoughts. I just took my 2010 4Runner in to the dealor for my 5k mile tire rotation. Dropped it off at 7:30am and they hadn't touched it when I called at 2pm but they assured me that the tire rotation would be done by COB and it was. I know I should have checked but some @ss at the dealor turned off my backup sensor and I totally backed into a brick wall the next day when I was parking at work ... my fault I know. I only scuffed the tow hitch but I called the Service Manager to express my annoyance and requested a callback. He never called but sent out an automatic survey the next day. What would you do? There's no real damage other than a scuff mark but I was annoyed that they turned off the sensor. Parking in the DC metro area is tight and I rely heavily on it.
Backup Sensor ... I'm an idiot!
- Thread starter susie441
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Johnny Utah
New member
I'm sorry to hear that. BUT, i've actually been wanting to talk about this. I don't even think my backup sensor is turned on. How can i tell if it is? or how do i turn it on?, etc?
1engineer
Moderator
Yes, they should have turned it back on. Yes, there is no substitute for visually checking when backing up.
Sensor
I'm not sure if they are standard equipment but my sensor button is to the left of the steering wheel and down a bit. The steering wheel and turn signal block it from sight which is why I didn't notice it was turned off
Mine lights up when it's on and beeps when you get close to backing into something. The tone gets faster the closer you approach something.
I'm not sure if they are standard equipment but my sensor button is to the left of the steering wheel and down a bit. The steering wheel and turn signal block it from sight which is why I didn't notice it was turned off
Mine lights up when it's on and beeps when you get close to backing into something. The tone gets faster the closer you approach something.
Johnny Utah
New member
I'm not sure if they are standard equipment but my sensor button is to the left of the steering wheel and down a bit. The steering wheel and turn signal block it from sight which is why I didn't notice it was turned off
I've seen the little circles on my bumper, so i think i have those. I'll look for the switch. Thanks man!
mountaineer83
New member
The reason there is a button to turn it off is in the event that you are towing a trailer. With a trailer attached, and in reverse, you get a solid beep as if you are about to back into something.
As for the OP: I doubt that there is anything that they would do about it, seeing as how you say there was no extensive damage. And too, there would be no way to prove to them that the dealership turned it off. I agree that they should not mess with someone's settings unless that is the item being serviced or it directly affects what is being repaired.
Also, I wouldn't ever completely rely on the sensors when reversing. I had them on my Super Duty and was backing into our shed to get some firewood. I felt a thump, and then it beeped. I had backed into our log splitter and the sensor never beeped until I had already hit it with my hitch.
As for the OP: I doubt that there is anything that they would do about it, seeing as how you say there was no extensive damage. And too, there would be no way to prove to them that the dealership turned it off. I agree that they should not mess with someone's settings unless that is the item being serviced or it directly affects what is being repaired.
Also, I wouldn't ever completely rely on the sensors when reversing. I had them on my Super Duty and was backing into our shed to get some firewood. I felt a thump, and then it beeped. I had backed into our log splitter and the sensor never beeped until I had already hit it with my hitch.
scanny
Senior Member
I'm always afraid to forget to turn sensors back on, even when I carry bikes on hitch mount I prefer to hear some beeping then turn it off. By the way I think that Toyota should have followed Ford with this switch. Fords have it on by default and to turn if off you need to keeep swithc pressed for a few seconds. That would be a good mod for SR5.
As per dealership I would try to contact a service manager again, maybe contact his manager and let them know that I'm not going to give them high marks in the survey unless they promise that would not turn the sensors off again and /or repaint the hitch (althouhg I think that you'll have only apology at best). If they not cooperative you can do the service in any Toyota dealership.
As per dealership I would try to contact a service manager again, maybe contact his manager and let them know that I'm not going to give them high marks in the survey unless they promise that would not turn the sensors off again and /or repaint the hitch (althouhg I think that you'll have only apology at best). If they not cooperative you can do the service in any Toyota dealership.
Come on people.
I dont think you can blame the dealer for backing into a brick wall.
When truck is new, the snesor is OFF. Just ask JohnnyUTAH who didnt even know he had sensors.
They are aids to tell you how close you are but they are not a replacement for looking over your shoulder and avoiding a brick wall.
Have a good weekend.
I dont think you can blame the dealer for backing into a brick wall.
When truck is new, the snesor is OFF. Just ask JohnnyUTAH who didnt even know he had sensors.
They are aids to tell you how close you are but they are not a replacement for looking over your shoulder and avoiding a brick wall.
Have a good weekend.
westwind77
New member
If you leave a hitch on the system beeps, had mine off for the last year.
Ford's system turns itself on every time you start, a nice 'back-up' (no pun intended) but can be annoying turning it off every time.
Ford's system turns itself on every time you start, a nice 'back-up' (no pun intended) but can be annoying turning it off every time.
Fuzzylogic
New member
You have ability to turn it off for things like backing up with a trailer connected, like a boat. It will drive you nuts unless you turn the sensors off when backing down a boat ramp.
I almost hit my neighbor's car the other day because I forgot to turn the sensors back on after a day of boating.
Add verification that it's on to your mental checklist each morning.
TTown
New member
The Limited does not have this feature. We get the backup camera on the nav screen. Do you guys use the screen on the rearview mirror, or is it too small to effectively use?
I know others have said they still look over their shoulder, but I have grown to love the backup camera. Now when I back up in my wife's car, I look at the radio expecting it to change into a screen.
I know others have said they still look over their shoulder, but I have grown to love the backup camera. Now when I back up in my wife's car, I look at the radio expecting it to change into a screen.
Antman
Elite Member
I leave my hitch in all the time in case some idiot decides to use my bumper as, well, a bumper. My reverse sensors work perfectly even with the hitch in place. I guess it depends on the type of hitch you use. Only time I turn mine off is while towing, and I wish it would default to "on" as well. Like others, my Titan had this feature and I appreciated it everytime I almost backed "the beast" into something.
More than likely, they have the key in the ignition during the service and they turn the parking sensors off to keep it from beeping like crazy while they are in the service bay.
I agree that they should give you the car back in the condition you left it, but it never fails that they'll mess with the seat or something. Just one of the checks I do when I get back in the car after an inspection or something.
I like the button the way it is. I typically have a hitch mounted bike rack that folds up in front of my sensors. Having to turn that off every single time I drive somewhere (like Nissan) would annoy the hell out of me.
I also use the backup camera way more than the park sensors. The park sensors are nice when parallel parking, but that is the only time I really use them. The camera gives a more comprehensive view of the back.
I agree that they should give you the car back in the condition you left it, but it never fails that they'll mess with the seat or something. Just one of the checks I do when I get back in the car after an inspection or something.
I like the button the way it is. I typically have a hitch mounted bike rack that folds up in front of my sensors. Having to turn that off every single time I drive somewhere (like Nissan) would annoy the hell out of me.
I also use the backup camera way more than the park sensors. The park sensors are nice when parallel parking, but that is the only time I really use them. The camera gives a more comprehensive view of the back.
+1^
I also rely heavily on my parking sensors, but mainly for the sides of the vehicle as I back out of my garage, as it is pretty close quartered. However, I always supplement the sensors with the use of my side view mirrors. For susie441, I would use this incident as a learning experience and note that you have three options; 1) ask the Service Manager to assure the backup sensors are on upon vehicle return each time you take it for service, 2) As Quentin suggests, make this a self check item following service, or 3) go to a different dealership if they do not seem to care enough to respect your wishes. I don't know if I would slam the dealership in the survey, but I might to choose to express my annoyance at the fact the back up sensors were turned off and note the possible consequences to an unknowing/unrealizing customer. A reputable dealer/Service Manager should try and correct the situation (which is just a check of the button) to avoid customer dissatisfaction.
I also rely heavily on my parking sensors, but mainly for the sides of the vehicle as I back out of my garage, as it is pretty close quartered. However, I always supplement the sensors with the use of my side view mirrors. For susie441, I would use this incident as a learning experience and note that you have three options; 1) ask the Service Manager to assure the backup sensors are on upon vehicle return each time you take it for service, 2) As Quentin suggests, make this a self check item following service, or 3) go to a different dealership if they do not seem to care enough to respect your wishes. I don't know if I would slam the dealership in the survey, but I might to choose to express my annoyance at the fact the back up sensors were turned off and note the possible consequences to an unknowing/unrealizing customer. A reputable dealer/Service Manager should try and correct the situation (which is just a check of the button) to avoid customer dissatisfaction.
