Carista

'Sup everyone! We made an Android app called Carista OBD2 that allows you to change your own Lexus Personalized Settings. That includes the "dealer-only" settings like DRLs, auto-off heated seats, auto door locks, etc. (see list below). Carista can also do Lexus-specific diagnostics of all computers in the car (incl. ABS, airbag, navigation, etc.). The app runs on Android phones and tablets; we're starting development on an iOS version now.

Just wanted to tell you guys that this app exists. You can play with your LPS as much as you want with it. It's not free: it costs $19.99 for the ability to change LPS and do Lexus-specific diagnostics. Once you buy it, you have unlimited access to changing settings and doing diagnostics as many times as you want on as many cars as you want (incl. supported VW, Audi, Toyota and Scion models). The app lets you see what customization settings are available on your specific car before you buy the Pro Package.

The hardware that you need is a generic ELM327 Bluetooth dongle ($10ish) that plugs into the diagnostic port inside the car, under the dash. See some examples here.

So the total cost is around $30 for unlimited use. Compare that to going to a dealer ONCE



Here's a sample customization (LPS) list from a clublexus member's 2014 GX460 (US model). Your settings may vary depending on equipment and market.


Doors / Windows / Remote:

Blink turn signals when locking/unlocking with remote
YES / NO

Beep when locking/unlocking with remote
YES / NO

Volume of beep when locking/unocking with remote
OFF / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / MAX

Beep when opening/closing windows with remote
YES / NO

Warn when door can't be locked with remote because it's open
YES / NO

Panic function on remote
ENABLED / DISABLED

Open glass hatch via remote
SINGLE CLICK / DOUBLE CLICK / LONG PRESS / VERY LONG PRESS / DISABLED

Re-lock doors automatically if you unlock, but don't open a door
YES / NO

Re-lock doors automatically if you unlock, but don't open a door within…
30 SECONDS / 60 SECONDS / 120 SECONDS

Unlock doors via remote
DRIVER'S DOOR ON 1ST PRESS, ALL ON 2ND / ALL DOORS ON 1ST PRESS

Unlock doors via physical key
DRIVER'S DOOR ON 1ST PRESS, ALL ON 2ND / ALL DOORS ON 1ST PRESS

Unlock doors via smart key (door handle button)
DRIVER'S DOOR ON 1ST PRESS, ALL ON 2ND / ALL DOORS ON 1ST PRESS

Auto-lock doors when moving
ON / OFF

Lock doors when shifting into gear
ON / OFF

Unlock doors when shifting into park (P)
ON / OFF

Unlock all doors when driver's door is opened
ON / OFF

After locking with smart key, allow re-opening within…
0.5 SECONDS / 1.5 SECONDS / 2.5 SECONDS / 5 SECONDS

Smart key location to start car
FRONT SEATS / ANYWHERE IN VEHICLE

Open glass hatch via smart key
YES / NO

Open windows/sunroof by holding key in door lock
ON / OFF

Close windows/sunroof by holding key in door lock
ON / OFF

Open windows and sunroof via long-press on remote
ON / OFF


Instruments / Display / Dings:

Remote low battery warning
ON / OFF

Front parking sensor range
NARROW / WIDE

Rear parking sensor range
NARROW / WIDE

Mute parking sensor when stationary for more than 3 sec.
YES / NO

Parking sensor beep volume
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / MAX

Activate parking sensors in neutral (N)
YES / NO

Enable front parking sensors when in reverse (R)
FRONT / FRONT CORNER / OFF

Enable rear parking sensors when in neutral or forward gear
REAR / REAR CORNER / OFF

Dash display mode
ALL / UNDISP

ECO Drive indicator zone
ON / OFF


Lights:

Daytime running lights
ON / OFF

Coming-home lights duration
OFF / 30 SECONDS / 60 SECONDS / 90 SECONDS

Auto headlights activation threshold
DARKEST / DARKER / NORMAL / LIGHTER / LIGHTEST

Instrument lights dimming sensitivity
DARKEST / DARKER / NORMAL / LIGHTER / LIGHTEST

Instrument lights restoring sensitivity
DARKEST / DARKER / NORMAL / LIGHTER / LIGHTEST

Dim interior lights after…
7 SECONDS / 15 SECONDS / 30 SECONDS

Turn on interior lights when you shut off engine
YES / NO

Turn on interior lights when you unlock doors
YES / NO

Turn on interior lights when smart key in range
YES / NO

Interior footlight (bright when doors open, dim when driving)
YES / NO

Center console spotlight (bright when doors open, dim when driving)
YES / NO

Turn on interior door-handle & center console lights dimly (flood lights) when ignition is on and shifter is not in park (P)
YES / NO

Turn on exterior footlight (on side mirror) for…
OFF / 7 SECONDS / 15 SECONDS / 30 SECONDS

Turn on scuff plate light when smart key in range
YES / NO

Turn on scuff plate light when doors unlocked via remote
YES / NO

Turn on scuff plate light when driver's door is opened
YES / NO

Interior light control
ENABLED / DISABLED

Exterior light control
ENABLED / DISABLED


Heater & A/C:

Temperature dial calibration
-2°C / -1°C / NORMAL / +1°C / +2°C

Auto-increase blower speed when front defroster is on
YES / NO

Auto-turn on A/C when AUTO button pressed (if needed)
YES / NO

Deactivate front defroster when AUTO button pressed
YES / NO

Also blow to feet in face mode
YES / NO


Other:

Slide driver's seat back for easy exit
OFF / SHORT / STANDARD

Lolrax

Seems like we have a lot of these options available to be changed in the Nav screen. Very cool app regardless!

Herd72

Wish it was available for iphone!

T4Fun

what about folding mirrors in? i guess not everything is customizable yet

Craig B

There isn't an auto fold switch like on my LS 460, or even the RX. The LX also has auto folding mirrors, but not the GX 460 for some stupid reason...

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Anyone try a compatible bluetooth dongle?

Carista

That's coming soon. We're starting development now.

We can only change settings that the vehicle supports. If a dealer can change something, Carista should be able to change it as well. (Disclaimer: that's the ultimate goal; we don't yet support ALL settings that the dealer can change... but we do support more than what the nav gives you access to).

Yeah, that seems to be the case, unfortunately.

Pretty much any ELM327 Bluetooth dongle should work, as long as it uses an ELM327 v1.4 or newer. Note that "OBDLink" brand devices (which are great in general) emulate an ELM327 v1.3a, so they're not fully compatible with our Lexus-specific functionality.

I personally think every driver should have an ELM327 dongle in the car, even if they don't use Carista. So just try it Carista is free up to the point where you want to change a setting's value or do advanced diagnostics. You can see what settings are available on your particular vehicle and what their current values are for free. Seeing those also confirms that both your Bluetooth device and your vehicle are compatible with Carista.

TrixyGXer

Bought the dongle above, downloaded the app (play store) paired it with (at the time) my Samsung GIII, used the in app purchase to get the advanced settings content and about 5 minutes later I was programing the settings exactly how I wanted. It was really simple, straight forward and in my mind, worth the money. I would recommend it if you are into having things "just so"...

Carista

Thanks I'm glad you liked it.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Great App
Auto windows roll down and up via remote was disabled by dealer and i was able to re-enable it via app

The Beta version also allows to disable the seatbelt chime (including passengers.)

Cant wait to see more features, maybe enable preset profiles? Id also like to see if we can enable flood lights and console mood light to stay in the brighter "Park" setting while driving?

tecman

I want to play
Any update on the iPhone app Carista?
Any Possibilities of bypassing the remote start shut off problem when entering the vehicle?
I don't think it is dealer supported but you can figure it out. Right? Yes you can, come on you can do it

I would pay extra for an upgraded App with more options.

Carista

Thanks I'll look into the mood light stuff, but I don't think there's a setting for that.

The iPhone version got a bit deprioritized, but we're going to start actively working on it as a main priority when we release version 2.2 of Carista for Android (within a couple of weeks).

We can only change settings that the car supports. We don't "hack" the car's computers to make them do things they weren't made to do... so if the car was made with a defect or weird behavior that's not configurable (such as the remote start shutoff you mentioned), we can't change that. Sorry

Carista

Ok, the new functionality with the seat belt warning settings has been released.

Starting heavy development on the iOS version now. Stay tuned

craigrpete

Can't wait to get my hands on this app for my iPhone. Bought my car used and would rather pay you to be able change settings at my convenience and experiment with them vs stealer hourly rate.

What adapter are you using with iOS? Many say they only work with Android.

Let us all know about progress!

Thx

Carista

Our iOS version is almost ready! We'll be looking for beta testers in early January, so if you haven't yet, please sign up for updates here: http://www.caristaapp.com/ios/

It will use WiFi ELM327 adapters (not Bluetooth) because Apple doesn't allow standard Bluetooth communication.