What does the SOS button do ?

TexasBigBlue

Well-Known Member
So, I was driving back to Texas after a short visit to Colorado yesterday and the tiny drop down door to the SOS button fell open as I was negotiating some serious pot holes on I-25. It's in the ceiling. I've seen the little green light in the same button as the SOS button so just two questions;

1. Why did that little green light come on, and stay on, about a month after I bought my Tacoma ?
2. What is the SOS button used for and how would I activate if I was really under duress ?
 

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It looks like a tracking device that transmits where and what you're doing?
Pretty much if you subscribe to the service. You don't want to push it if you do. The truck will start talking to you that help is coming. You can push it again to deactivate it. I think toyota gives you a trial subscription like sirus xm. I remember flipping the cover of that sos button when my truck was new, then all hell broke loose. On a very new truck do not try it.
 
Pretty much if you subscribe to the service. You don't want to push it if you do. The truck will start talking to you that help is coming. You can push it again to deactivate it. I think toyota gives you a trial subscription like sirus xm. I remember flipping the cover of that sos button when my truck was new, then all hell broke loose. On a very new truck do not try it.
Good point, I think I'll just leave it alone. Thanks.
 
If you are a macho trained killer with a medical degree you'll never need the button. But my wife often drives the truck alone. I like her being able to push a single button and be connected to whatever emergency service she needs. It also automatically calls for help if it senses an accident.

Oh, by the way. Your truck knows exactly where you are and how many miles are on it plus other stuff even if you "opt out" of stuff. You really don't think Toyota would turn off those types of things just because you ask, do you? Supposedly opting out only prevents them from passing the info along to third parties like insurance companies.
 
If you are a macho trained killer with a medical degree you'll never need the button. But my wife often drives the truck alone. I like her being able to push a single button and be connected to whatever emergency service she needs. It also automatically calls for help if it senses an accident.

Oh, by the way. Your truck knows exactly where you are and how many miles are on it plus other stuff even if you "opt out" of stuff. You really don't think Toyota would turn off those types of things just because you ask, do you? Supposedly opting out only prevents them from passing the info along to third parties like insurance companies.
I think the only way they would know is, if they were able to access some of that info once they had the vehicle in their shop. As long as you don't have that service, there's no they can know where you are. It's not like a cell phone.
 
I think the only way they would know is, if they were able to access some of that info once they had the vehicle in their shop. As long as you don't have that service, there's no they can know where you are. It's not like a cell phone.
Well this is getting bigger than I want it to be. The wife has just informed me (Geico rep 30+ years) that the Electronic Data Recorder (EDR) is the "black box" of all new automobiles. It will start recording prior to an impact but does not store data longterm.

The Telematic is a service that you pay for that is voluntary. It does record acceleration, braking, speeding, etc, but does NOT track you. So tacojoel you are correct.

Toyota does not record this information to sell to insurance companies or other 3rd parties, however, it can be subpoenaed by a coourt/judge/attorney there is limited info on EDR download in the event of a serious wreck.

I'm pretty sure I just muddied the waters even more.
 
Well this is getting bigger than I want it to be. The wife has just informed me (Geico rep 30+ years) that the Electronic Data Recorder (EDR) is the "black box" of all new automobiles. It will start recording prior to an impact but does not store data longterm.

The Telematic is a service that you pay for that is voluntary. It does record acceleration, braking, speeding, etc, but does NOT track you. So tacojoel you are correct.

Toyota does not record this information to sell to insurance companies or other 3rd parties, however, it can be subpoenaed by a coourt/judge/attorney there is limited info on EDR download in the event of a serious wreck.

I'm pretty sure I just muddied the waters even more.
Can they track it across the border into Mexico?
 
I should get my truck checked for a tracker
Maybe the US customs and border enforcement planted one a couple months ago when they searched my truck and made me wait indoors until they were done rummaging and found nothing
 
I should get my truck checked for a tracker
Maybe the US customs and border enforcement planted one a couple months ago when they searched my truck and made me wait indoors until they were done rummaging and found nothing
I don't think anyone is tracking you. Lol
 
The "black boxes" were installed as part of a change to the FMVSS.

Insurance companies were driving the change. These are intended to function similar to the FDR and CVR on airplanes. It is a good way to sift thru driver's recollection of accident events.

Its all part of the "nanny" driving gadgets leading towards autonomous vehicles. But there is one HUGE misconception. A computer with the ability to adapt and solve problems as quick as the human brain is yet to be realized.


Oh, BTW. If someone wants to track me.....I don't care. I have nothing illegal going on. So, they would be bored out of their minds. I typically only go to Menards, Landfill, QuickTrip and the Legion Hall. Otherwise the truck is sitting in the driveway. The wife's 2019 CR-V has the most annoying nanny gadgets......it sits in the garage. To date, it has collected just under 8,000 miles. I pity the person tracking us.

More practically, imagine how many people would need to be employed to monitor the "trackng" for all the vehicles. Even with the aid of computers, satellites, cell towers......it would be an immensely daunting task. Just not practical. Perhaps practical for a few select individuals like felons, consulate members, foreign diplomats, habitual DUI.....but every car in the USA..........not likely.
 
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