Bumper Sonar Question.

[SurferRob]

Do most people just leave the sonar on in the back all the time?

Just wondering.:lookout:

 

[Antman]

I am definitely not "most people", but I only turn my sonar off while towing.

 

[CmdrCody]

Same for me.

Just have to remember to turn it back on afterwards...

 

[Jtraskell]

I installed a rear view camera. Keeping the sonar on seemed somewhat redundant as well as annoying. So off it went.

 

[SurferRob]

sweet thanks. I don't tow much so that makes my life even easier!

Merry New Year.

Rob:surfer:

 

[JayBe]

I only shut it off when I have the bikes and bike rack on the back. But I always forget to shut it off until it starts going nuts, picking up the bikes

 

[scanny]

I always leave it on, even if I haul bikes on hitch mount.

 

[H2O_Doc]

I only turn mine on when in enemy waters rife with torpedos.

I just wish it made that cool pinnnnng....pinnnnng.....pinng sound.

Somebody should hack it.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I have only used mine once in the two years I have had my runner. And that was to check that it worked. The camera is the best thing to use in my opinion.

 

[Quentin]

I only shut it off when I have the bikes and bike rack on the back. But I always forget to shut it off until it starts going nuts, picking up the bikes

Yup! That is exactly what happens when I load my T4R up for some biking.

 

[1engineer]

Snow and ice will set it off too. Turned mine off yesterday.

 

[JayBe]

Snow and ice will set it off too. Turned mine off yesterday.

Good to know. I'll have to remember that this year. This will be the first winter for Felix. How are the OEM tires in the snow? I can't imagine they'd be too good but I'm just curious.

 

[philsey]

Snow and ice will set it off too..

Explain please.

 

[1engineer]

Good to know. I'll have to remember that this year. This will be the first winter for Felix. How are the OEM tires in the snow? I can't imagine they'd be too good but I'm just curious.

We have just received our first major snowfall of the year with about 10" on the ground. The snow (and ice) can partially obscure one or more of the sensors on the rear bumper causing the sonar to alarm, even though there is nothing behind you. How can it obscure a sensor when the sensors are located on a vertical surface? When you drive in snow, the snow will get "sucked" into the low pressure area created behind your vehicle, much like rain and dust. This snow and ice coats the rear of the vehicle and obscures the sensore. When you go to reverse the next time the sensors are covered! Even just a little snow or ice on one of them will set it off.

My OEM tires have 24K on them now and about 1/2 -3/4 worn. They did just fine as I drive according to conditions. Are they as good as dedicated snow tires? Absolutely not but as long as you drive like you have some sense they are fine. I even got stopped on a hill as several in front of me were stuck. When I went to go around them, I started to spin and my VSC kicked in. As I was going really slow the braking action of the VSC was not helping. I disengaged it (press the button) and was able to spin a little to build momentum and had no problems. Are there better tires out there? Sure and I will get a new set soon but for right now they did OK. You guys have to remember I have been driving in the snow my whole life and during high school (100 years ago) I earned extra money driving a snow plow and plowing lots. On another note, my daughter's Honda CRV handled exceptionally well as I put a set of Goodyear Fortera Tripletreds on it about 5K ago. Good tires all around. At this stage in my life I have four vehicles to maintain and keep going. My daughters in her second year of college and my son will go this fall. So, between 4 vehicles I am constantly putting windshield wiper fluid, wipers, batteries, tires, bulbs and everything else. My wife's 2009 CRV has the lowest maintenance as she only drives about 6K a year. So, 2 Hondas, a Subaru and a Toyota. Can you tell I am all about reliability and durability?