Parking Sensor Alert Volume Issue

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Apr 13, 2015 | 03:04 PM
  #1  
I've had my '09 ES 350 for a few months now. I am disappointed in the low volume of parking sensor alert. The volume is all the way up and the switch is on. Is anyone else expecting it to be louder as I am or do I have a faulty "speaker"? I'll be going to the dealer next month for service and will get their opinion at that time. Thanks to all.
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Apr 13, 2015 | 04:20 PM
  #2  
there is personalized setting for this that the dealer can adjust

F & R BUZZER VOLM (Front & rear buzzer volume)
M2 default
Function to change volume of buzzer / L, M1, M2, M3 or H
L: Low volume M1: medium low volume M2: medium volume M3: medium high
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Apr 13, 2015 | 07:02 PM
  #3  
Can adjust stuff like that with the Carista OBD2 app. (I had to adjust my Lock/Unlock volumes down.)
Nice app to have.

Walt
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Apr 14, 2015 | 07:04 AM
  #4  
So glad I posted here. I called the dealer before posting, they said there's no dealer adjustment, but I found that hard to believe as the volume is so low. It must be set on M1. Carista sounds handy to have as well.
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Apr 14, 2015 | 09:49 AM
  #5  
Quote: Carista sounds handy to have as well.
And probably much cheaper forever than having a dealer do it just once.
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Apr 14, 2015 | 11:20 AM
  #6  
Quote: Can adjust stuff like that with the Carista OBD2 app. (I had to adjust my Lock/Unlock volumes down.)
Nice app to have.

Walt
Which OBD2 Bluetooth Dongle did you get?
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Apr 14, 2015 | 03:58 PM
  #7  
Quote: Which OBD2 Bluetooth Dongle did you get?

Since I have an iPad, had to get WiFi Adapter, not Bluetooth (Apple does not allow Bluetooth, so developers had to design another Carista app for Apple devices, using WiFi instead). I was going to use my iPhone with the app, but app is optimized for iOS8, so I put it on my iOS8 iPad.
Walt

But to answer your question, I got this (wifi) adapter (Ebay $15.85, Free Shipping):

Parking Sensor Alert Volume Issue-wifiobd2.jpg  

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Apr 15, 2015 | 02:51 PM
  #8  
Quote: there is personalized setting for this that the dealer can adjust

F & R BUZZER VOLM (Front & rear buzzer volume)
M2 default
Function to change volume of buzzer / L, M1, M2, M3 or H
L: Low volume M1: medium low volume M2: medium volume M3: medium high
I called Lexus customer service/support. They confirm that my '09 ES350 doesn't have this personalized setting. I know it's available on LS460 for certain. Too bad. I'm going to the dealer next week and having them evaluate the low volume to determine if it's faulty. Will post results after my visit.
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Apr 15, 2015 | 04:38 PM
  #9  
Quote: I called Lexus customer service/support. They confirm that my '09 ES350 doesn't have this personalized setting.
Yeah, it looks that way. This is the sample of the (2008) ES350 settings that can be changed:

http://www.caristaapp.com/customizat...xus_es350_2008

I suppose your car is the same.
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Apr 15, 2015 | 05:42 PM
  #10  
Drive away from that dealer as fast as you legally can and never go back. Your '09 ES350 Owner's Manual clearly states that a dealer can change the Parking Assist warning volume.......Page 155. It's originally set to Level 3 by default. IF you have Navigation you can change all sorts of settings including the Park Assist volume etc., yourself. This is all in your Navigation Manual. Both Manuals list this function and others under "Customization" as nevernu explained.
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Apr 16, 2015 | 05:09 AM
  #11  
Quote: Drive away from that dealer as fast as you legally can and never go back. Your '09 ES350 Owner's Manual clearly states that a dealer can change the Parking Assist warning volume.......Page 155. It's originally set to Level 3 by default. IF you have Navigation you can change all sorts of settings including the Park Assist volume etc., yourself. This is all in your Navigation Manual. Both Manuals list this function and others under "Customization" as nevernu explained.
Hi OldGrump, glad you had the common sense to check the owner's manual. Even though my car is an '09, I've got an '08 manual. Between our two manuals it seems to be a sure thing. But the proof is in the pudding as it appears to be a dealer setting, I'm not going to buy the OBD adapter and app until the conflicting info from the mfgr and the owners manual is cleared up. I will bring the manual to show the dealer and do my best to have the setting changed at N/C. Thanks again.
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Apr 16, 2015 | 11:12 AM
  #12  
Just for kicks, I started the app on my car (2011 ES). I says it's checking with my vehicle to see what features can be customized, so apparently the car tells the app what can be changed. Then, this comes up. This is the screen shot, and on my 2011 the parking sensors can be adjusted. My volume is shown as "3".

So I'd say your 2009 can be changed with the app, but I don't blame you for being hesitant ....

Walt

Parking Sensor Alert Volume Issue-2011es350.png  

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Apr 16, 2015 | 11:32 AM
  #13  
Thanks for taking the time and effort. Good info.
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Apr 21, 2015 | 03:05 PM
  #14  
Went to the dealer today. The service writer showed me the printout for personalized settings. No settings for volume control or distance. There was no charge for this service. I going to order the OBD2 bluetooth dongle and download the Carista app. The nice folks at Carista told me n/c to download app and read the customized menu for my car. I only have to pay once I decide to make any changes. As the dongle is returnable, there's no financial risk to give it a try. BTW Carista is now available for iOS!
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Apr 21, 2015 | 05:07 PM
  #15  
Might be a little late, but I'll chime in. I have the 2009 Lexus ES350 Luxury Package. I have the OBD Cable and Toyota Techstream software on my laptop. I plugged everything in hoping to increase the volume for the parking sensors. To my disappointment, the volume adjustment for the parking sensor through TechStream is the same volume adjustment you get on the Navi touchscreen when you push the "Info" button --> "Parking Sensor" option, in other words there are five levels that can be adjusted on the Lexus Navi touchscreen which is the same five volume levels adjusted through Techstream software.

In addition, the picture posted by ayonnebay is the exact same options I saw using TechStream. So don't get your hopes up.

Finally, I think it may have to do with the pitch of the beeping that makes it not loud enough. But either way, there is no fix for it.
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