Toyota Vehicle Security System (TVSS)

[rvt]

Hi ! this is my first post here in Tsikot, Been hanging around for quite sometime
reading post on SUV and Cars.

Last Sept. 01, my '05 Hilux rear quarter window (left) was smashed till it fell inside the cabin and my valuables was stolen. The fact that I'm just several meters away from the vehicle, IF ONLY IF THE ALARM ACTIVATED I WOULD EASILY HEARD THE SOUND PLUS THE FLASHING OF THE LIGHTS. I verified it with Toyota Bicutan and they confirmed that the TVSS will activate only if the door was open. Holy Grail, even if all windows would be broken it will not alarm! Therefore the TVSS is just merely KEY LESS ENTRY.

If only they informed me of that TVSS I would upgrade to a better system. I spent more than P100,000 in the upgrades from the sound system, sliding bed cover, front and rear suspensions. Several thousand on the alarm upgrade would not make much difference in investment.

I email Toyota Phils and no reply so far. I requested toyota bicutan to upgrade the alarm at their cost but they gave me all the alibi's known to Phil. Car industry. I have brand new civic and lancer before both below P1 Million and yet they have decent alarm better than TVSS.

All Hilux and Fortuner Owners out there, better to check your TVSS because it may be on a mere KEY LESS ENTRY. Bad elements out there know the limitation of Hilux and Fortuner.

In the Future I will not acquire a Toyota Vehicle, the reply I recieve from Toyota Bicutan S U C K S !

[Mile2]

This is the same concern I raised with my Innova G, it does not have a descent impact sensor.

Infact, most of the service advisor from Toyota does not know that TVSS has impact sensor

Go inside your ride and arm your TVSS, slap hard your dash board on top of the instrument panel and alarm will set on Slap hard any part of your ride and alarm will not set

TVSS still need to be upgraded to another alarm system where impact sensor can really work.

[BlueBimmer]

err..isn't the TVSS explained in the manual? or it would have come in a separate manual from the main Hilux manual. If it is indeed explained in the manual (how it works) then i think Toyota phils. is not liable in any way.

But if the manual does not state anything about how the alarm works, then you could maybe demand toyota phils. to replace your TVSS to a more expensive alarm system for free since you could claim false security from their TVSS.

Basically all cheap alarms, even most of those that come stock with brandnew cars, rely on a module which can detect slight movements or vibrations of the car while armed. I'm not sure though how TVSS works. If this module is set to a high enough sensitivity, then the breaking of your rear quarter glass would have probably set off the alarm..

If you want a more sophisticated alarm, you would have to look for an alarm system with motion detection. we had a similar Bosch alarm system that could detect movements inside the car cabin installed on our old 190E benz before.

[2Dmax]

those robbers knew about the TVSS better than the dealers. tsktsk! uneducated in their field of work..

[rvt]

err..isn't the TVSS explained in the manual? or it would have come in a separate manual from the main Hilux manual. If it is indeed explained in the manual (how it works) then i think Toyota phils. is not liable in any way.

But if the manual does not state anything about how the alarm works, then you could maybe demand toyota phils. to replace your TVSS to a more expensive alarm system for free since you could claim false security from their TVSS.

Basically all cheap alarms, even most of those that come stock with brandnew cars, rely on a module which can detect slight movements or vibrations of the car while armed. I'm not sure though how TVSS works. If this module is set to a high enough sensitivity, then the breaking of your rear quarter glass would have probably set off the alarm..

If you want a more sophisticated alarm, you would have to look for an alarm system with motion detection. we had a similar Bosch alarm system that could detect movements inside the car cabin installed on our old 190E benz before.

I have a 3 series bmw 2 years ago, familiar with that sophisticated system.
Am a busy person, no time to check Manual of all my cars. Just sharing my experience so that others may not be a victim.

As I posted, Toyota Bicutan has confirmed that the TVSS of Hilux only activate if the door is open. It has no sensor to sense that impact.

[BlueBimmer]

hmm kung di mo binabasa ang manual and if nasa manual nga ang TVSS...baka malabo makahingi ng free upgrade sa casa...baka sasabihan ka ng di mo binasa ang manual, be it may time ka magbasa o wala...

pero malay natin malusot sa sindak

[drey]

I suggest you read the manual mr. rvt.

Im sure it wont hurt your time.

[boybi]

I have a 3 series bmw 2 years ago, familiar with that sophisticated system.
Am a busy person, no time to check Manual of all my cars. Just sharing my experience so that others may not be a victim.

As I posted, Toyota Bicutan has confirmed that the TVSS of Hilux only activate if the door is open. It has no sensor to sense that impact.

Maybe you can tell your secretary to read the manuals of all your cars for you and if you've got a question, just call/ask your secretary ;)

[Mile2]

I have a 3 series bmw 2 years ago, familiar with that sophisticated system.
Am a busy person, no time to check Manual of all my cars. Just sharing my experience so that others may not be a victim.

As I posted, Toyota Bicutan has confirmed that the TVSS of Hilux only activate if the door is open. It has no sensor to sense that impact.

That is what always the service advisor will tell their client, that TVSS has no impact sensor

I'm sure Innova/Fortuner/Hilux has the same TVSS in common.

Do this, go inside your Hilux and arm your TVSS. when you see the flashing LED it means it is already armed. Now slap hard the top of your dash board about 6 inches away and centering your instrument panel, I'm sure it will activate your impact sensor Slap hard other parts of your dash board and alarm will not activate.

I raised this at Toyota that they may need to relocate the impact sensor somewhere or they have to give us way to adjust its sensitivity but I got no favorable response and it seems even the service dept does not know that it has impact sensor.

Hilux/Fortuner/Innova was already around since 2005 and yet not everyone in Toyota service knows that TVSS has impact sensor.

[drey]

All they do is "Hindi naman sa naninira ng ibang kompanya"... Hihihihi... Thats all they now. I hope im wrong.

[number001]

The manual (of the Fortuner) says "Abnormal impact is detected when the impact sensor function is on" Pg 39 - 42 . Page 41 mentions how to disable the impact sensor. Browsing through those few pages, I dont see any indication on how to adjust the sensitivity of the impact sensor.

[LoveHamster]

I Inherited the corporate Fortuner last July when my bro migrated. I was shocked when I discover he deactivate the TVSS and turn it into a mere keyless entry almost a year! it cause the spare tire to be stolen w/o him knowing! So I bring it to Toyota to reactivate it!

After reading this thread, i want to make sure its impact sensor is working, I test it by seating inside and activate the alarm, I open & close the glove compartment, the alarm went off! Good!

[gaol]

Does this mean we have to either:

1) replace the stock TVSS with a more secure alarm system? 0r
2) reinforce it with an additional aftermarket alarm system that wil coexist with the TVSS--is this possible?

For #2, what would be a good aftermarket alarm system?

[louchua]

Ganun pala ang TVSS ng Toyota.. buti pa MMAS ng Mitsu sobrang sensitive, sa sobrang sensitive nakakairritate na minsan, kahit lowest setting na
alarm pa rin even with the slightest vibrations. eg: pag may dumaan na truck or what. To the point na nilalagay ko na sa valet mode lalo na pag nasa church. Pero better like that than not functioning at all.

Sorry for the OT, gusto lang po mag post.

[rvt]

The manual (of the Fortuner) says "Abnormal impact is detected when the impact sensor function is on" Pg 39 - 42 . Page 41 mentions how to disable the impact sensor. Browsing through those few pages, I dont see any indication on how to adjust the sensitivity of the impact sensor.

The manual of Hilux does not defined what is the "Abnormal Impact". My window was broken no alarm activted. Followed what the manual says, still no alarm when I hit the window column with my hand.

Now to give you update . . . the Main Toyota Office at GT TOwer just refer me to the Manual. I told him still the alarm did not work after following the instruction . . . no reply NA ! MEANING IF YOU HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THEY WILL JUST REFER YOU TO THEIR MANUAL. WHAT KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT? THEY DON'T BOTHER TO CHECK THE CAR IF IT HAS REALLY HAS SENSOR OR THE SENSOR IS WORKING ???????

[rvt]

Ganun pala ang TVSS ng Toyota.. buti pa MMAS ng Mitsu sobrang sensitive, sa sobrang sensitive nakakairritate na minsan, kahit lowest setting na
alarm pa rin even with the slightest vibrations. eg: pag may dumaan na truck or what. To the point na nilalagay ko na sa valet mode lalo na pag nasa church. Pero better like that than not functioning at all.

Sorry for the OT, gusto lang po mag post.

Yes MItsu system better. I have a Lancer GLi before, the alarm is OK.

If swertehin this Dec I will be getting a Strada 3.2L. three months to go . . .
Although I like my Hilux, I have to give it up later coz I can't stomach going to a service Casa when at the back of my mind I don't trust people running it.

Another is I see a lot of Strada on the streets. . .

[Ventoy]

Hi ! this is my first post here in Tsikot, Been hanging around for quite sometime
reading post on SUV and Cars.

Last Sept. 01, my '05 Hilux rear quarter window (left) was smashed till it fell inside the cabin and my valuables was stolen. The fact that I'm just several meters away from the vehicle, IF ONLY IF THE ALARM ACTIVATED I WOULD EASILY HEARD THE SOUND PLUS THE FLASHING OF THE LIGHTS. I verified it with Toyota Bicutan and they confirmed that the TVSS will activate only if the door was open. Holy Grail, even if all windows would be broken it will not alarm! Therefore the TVSS is just merely KEY LESS ENTRY.

If only they informed me of that TVSS I would upgrade to a better system. I spent more than P100,000 in the upgrades from the sound system, sliding bed cover, front and rear suspensions. Several thousand on the alarm upgrade would not make much difference in investment.

I email Toyota Phils and no reply so far. I requested toyota bicutan to upgrade the alarm at their cost but they gave me all the alibi's known to Phil. Car industry. I have brand new civic and lancer before both below P1 Million and yet they have decent alarm better than TVSS.

All Hilux and Fortuner Owners out there, better to check your TVSS because it may be on a mere KEY LESS ENTRY. Bad elements out there know the limitation of Hilux and Fortuner.

In the Future I will not acquire a Toyota Vehicle, the reply I recieve from Toyota Bicutan S U C K S !

iTO PALA ANG NAKAKATAKOT PAMBIHIRA TALAGA TONG TOYOTA NA TO KAILANGAN PA TALAGA TAYONG PAHIRAPAN

[rvt]

Does this mean we have to either:

1) replace the stock TVSS with a more secure alarm system? 0r
2) reinforce it with an additional aftermarket alarm system that wil coexist with the TVSS--is this possible?

For #2, what would be a good aftermarket alarm system?

My advice:

1. Not really replace. First have it check and verify with your dealer the details on where the sensors were installed or May Sensor ba talaga?

2. I'm not sure, actually cost of the alarm is not that expensive compared to the possible damage it may entail later. There are several good brand depending on the sensitivity you want. Better ask your reputable local shop.

[rvt]

iTO PALA ANG NAKAKATAKOT PAMBIHIRA TALAGA TONG TOYOTA NA TO KAILANGAN PA TALAGA TAYONG PAHIRAPAN

Well, they knew they dominated the Market. Not for long. . . Koreans cars are improving fast and the price is very attractive. I hope my case is an isolated one cos if not then it will be another flaws in their deteriorating quality.

NO! They will not " PAHIRAPAN TAYO " actually it's the REVERSE. We should use the power of the Consumers. I for myself will think 10x before getting a toyota cars, will not allow my direct Families also to buy one. In the Office the mere fact of knowing what happened to the TVSS of my hilux have them think twice. Our total managers in the place I work is more than 110. Try to imagine just having internal email to them the complete scenario. Those had bought will definitely complain or verify and demand a better set. Those that are planning to buy will think twice and think of the friends and family, the mupltiplier effect is geometric. An example, the CRDI problem of their diesel on Hilux and Fortuner. I for myself got a Gas Hilux because of that. Because at that time ('05) no better alternative pick up, that was my first Toyota in my 15 years driving. But now, there is strada, Navarra coming. I will not be surprised if Mitsu regain the Number 1 spot in Pick up sales now.

Don't mis quote me that all Toyota cars is Bad, No! The problem is SOME of the PEOPLE RUNNING THE BUSINESS, they should not be there cause they do harm to the product.

[wildthing]

TVSS is a mere marketing ploy...it really is simply a "useless" alarm... they simply put a "name" to it for propietory claim as well as marketing feature.

i am a product brand manager in a different field (note toyota) - and those type of work for marketing ploy is part of our job.