How does my truck communicate with Toyota?

This is likely a dumb question but my truck clearly communicates with Toyota for all those services. How though? I've not given it any wifi permissions so I'm guessing they have a contract with the major telcos? Surely it isn't satellite communications. Anyone know?

 

There's basically (from what I understand)...two "cellular connections" in your truck. Two "cellular modems" if you will.

One is the one we "subscribe to" - this is the one that (in some vehicles we can change the SIM card, etc in). This one does the stuff like unlock the doors, remote start from the app, etc...

The other is the one that is just hardwired into the vehicle - and does the communication for that sort of thing back to Toyota (or insert other vehicle manufacturer here).

Now it *is possible* that there is ONLY ONE modem...and it handles the communication / authorization on another level. But the two modems is how it worked when I looked into it on my previous Volvo. ie. I could change my default SIM card (that was AT&T) to T-Mobile and still have the vehicle connect features (or even remove it entirely). And the "hardwired" stuff would still continue to transmit to the manufacturer through that ever-present AT&T cellular modem.

I think you *know* what wifi is - but for clarity (in the actual networking industry), wifi is largely connecting via 2.4 or 5 ghz to a wireless modem that is stationary and usually has a wired connection (to a modem and through an ISP). In general, the public largely refers to any wireless data communication as "wifi" however.

 

Have you found the hidden camera in your cabin yet?

 

Check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tptueNYuIZ8&t=83s

 

There is an onboard camera accessing the interior of my wife's Tesla Model 3. I put a piece of tape over the camera lense.

 

What is this all about? I’ve never observed any evidence that my truck has cell network connectivity.

I don’t have keyless entry, remote start, or the fancy head unit.

I have a vague memory of some Toyota remote communication service that you have to subscribe to being discussed on here.

 

Toyota using the latest covert telecom tech to monitor your truck’s performance, your driving style, and your precise location, but they still can’t figure out how to paint a frame to prevent rusting.

 

I got curious and found these:

https://www.toyota.com/audio-multimedia/support/3g-faq/

https://www.toyota.com/connected-services/

 

It's a built in GSM cellular connection, on the AT&T network as I recall. Included on all trims 2020+, even SR, for the safety connect feature / SOS button - among other "features"

 

thank you

 

Wait, you have a 2001? Uh, it’s not your truck spying on you, it can’t do that. Something much more nefarious is going on…

 

They know how to paint a frame, the bean counters said it wasn't feasible.

 

Speaking as a bean counter, they didn't say it's not feasible....they said it can be done but it will drop gross margin by $x.xx, and then the executives spoke from their ivory towers and said no way, our shareholders will freak out, and the the shareholders respond with why the fuck can't Toyota paint our frames. It's a vicious cycle

 

I disagree. They simply can’t figure it out, no matter how hard they try. No bean counter wants millions of recall notices and hundreds of thousands of frame replacements. Toyota simply lacks the knowledge, expertise, and skill to apply black paint to a truck frame to the same level of proficiency as say, Ford.

You can’t be good at everything.

 

Why worry? Everything is spying on you. Especially your smart phone, iPhone and Android. Talk about buying a 32" computer monitor and for weeks on your web browser you'll see ads for monitors even if you don't do a search for it. Go to a restaurant and a week later google will ask "How was El Rodeo Mexican restaurant?" Though you never checked in on social media or anything. You're always tracked somewhere by technology.

 

Always fun times here

1. I *also* have a 2023 Tacoma OR. Guess I'd better add that to my profile though.
2. Nothing about my post suggested "omg conspiracy!". Was simply curious about how that works. Put the popcorn down.

Thank you @deaps, @mattleg and @TA2016 for explaining!

 

I think almost all vehicles these days have a little "black box" installed that are accessible to the Manufacturer in one manner or another. It's the real time data that is of concern to me.

 

I pulled up to my dealer last week for my 1 yr service and a big screen outside the garage door said welcome and my name as I pulled up

 

Everyone knows Paco in your neck of the forest, bro.