I had my windows tinted over the weekend. Though I specifically asked for no metallic tint (after reading all the threads here) the guy thought I meant in the rear only so he used metallic on the side windows (I guess I should have been clearer ). With the GPS transceiver in the trunk would this cause a problem? I have noticed some loss of the GPS signal on the NAV display since tinting, but up until today it was at least on half the time. Today during my 15 minute drive home from work (mostly on open highway) I didn't see the green GPS indicator come on at all, though it was on for most of my ride into work along the same route early this morning. I didn't pay attention to this before tinting so maybe this on again off again thing is a common occurrence for the GPS indicator light, or maybe today was just a bad day for the GPS.

Anyway, can I get some feedback from people with and without tinting as to how often that GPS indicator comes on? Is it 100% on, 50%, etc. I know it depends a lot on surroundings, but given an unobstructed sky should it be on full time? And how long after you start the car and drive into an open area should it come on? For what it's worth, the quality of the NAV guidance doesn't appear to be degraded (yet), but I'd feel better knowing the GPS signal was working and I wasn't relying on tire rotation for the NAV display.

I've already made an appointment for later this week to have the metallic tint replaced, but in case they give me a hard time about it I'd like to be armed with information. I have a feeling they will come back and say that since the GPS is in the trunk the side metallic tint shouldn't be a problem. Maybe that's the case, but I'd like to know for sure.

Oh, and one last thing. Would this also have any impact on bluetooth cell phone use? It seems like my reception isn't quite as good as before, but that maybe just my imagination.

Thanks!!

BTW, I have a 2003 GS430

 

Even though your GPS unit may be in the trunk, that's not the location you need to worry about. You merely need to make sure that the ANTENNA is free and clear to the sky. The antenna for GPS is usually a square thingy just a little over 1" square. It is likely either on the extreme front of the top of the front dashboard, or on the rear deck. Based on the fact that you tinted the rear window, I'm guessing you'll find it on the rear deck. Re-tinting with non-metallic will solve the problem. Just make the installer aware of where your antenna is.

 

Thanks so much for the response. I was unable to locate a one inch square device you referred to. I checked the rear and the front. On the dash there are 2 round black things, one on each side, that I thought maybe were the light sensors? On the rear under the window I saw nothing other than the latches for the seat belts and a large square (maybe 12"x12") fabric covered device that perhaps is a speaker?

In any case, the rear window itself was tinted with non-metallic tint. Only the side windows contained metal tint, and no tint on the front.

I'd be interested to hear what kind of behavior you and other experience with regard to the GPS signal indicator. Mine seems to be 50/50, sometimes more, sometimes less. In any case, the performance of the route guidance and tracking does not seem to be adversely affected, making me wonder if it's worth the effort to re-tint.

Thanks again.