Windshield camera

Anyone know if the windshield camera is always recording, and if the data is only available to Toyota?

 

It might help if you post it in the 2nd gen area.

Also, do you have an aftermarket dash cam? To my knowledge no Tacoma’s have come with a factory dash cam. So if you have one it should be available to you and only you.

 

Lets start with some clarification. Is this on the '08 in your profile or something else?

 

This is a 2018 TRD Sport 4x4. Sorry for the confusion. There's a large camera box to the passenger side of the rear-view. It is used for lane guidance, but I've heard that it records constantly.

 

It does but not the way you think it does. It's not like a dash camera. Nor is accessible by Toyota, unless HQ is involved and authorizes it. I've only seen it reviewed twice and it won't show fault of an accident, more so what the system observed in an incident.

 

So why do you want to know???? Lots of stuff records you and tracks you these days.

 

Pretty sure the manual says it records, and the only ones with access: 'Toyota' It's probably a generational thing, but the idea of paying that much for a truck, and knowing I'm filming in case Toyota needs evidentiary support; not down with that at all. Pretty soon we're going to start getting tickets in the mail because the GPS clocked us over the speed limit, or the camera watched you run a red light, or roll through a stop sign.

 

Yeah, they’ll go full 5th element on us.

 

Uhhhh. Ummmm. Eehhhh.

I hate to break it to you, but that’s already happening.

 

Most likely the reasoning is for Toyota to see how the system responded and if there were any failures in the warning system. It could also be used to make future improvements. Also, my guess would be that the info would only be accessed should a death occur from an accident. I really doubt anyone will want to get access to it due to a minor accident.
Also, traffic cameras have been recording you running red lights for years now. And with more and more people getting dash cams these days you are being recorded speeding or rolling through a stop sign.

 

I'm sure he meant the camera on the truck. Not traffic cameras

 

Unless you are in Hicksville USA, it already is.

Have a prepaid pass for a toll road? Easy to clock you between booths and mail a ticket.

Intersection cameras can even nail you for not wearing a seat belt.

If you want a low tech vehicle, (I do too), thats what you should buy. Or learn to disable what you have.

 

It's not just that vision is obscured to the right of your rear-view. When your municipality starts sending you a monthly statement of traffic infractions based on your Toyota ecu, don't say you didn't know. I get it. The tech is cool. I like it too, but at a certain point, it goes too far. Your 2018 tacoma is sending info about you on a regular basis. It's not just recording. Read the manual. I know everyone scrolls down to the "accept" button on your tech stuff without reading it, but you might want to start reading it.

 

Your cell phone is recording WAY more data than a truck.

Ever wonder how Google Maps knows what color to make a road?

 

I thought I woke up to alien crop circles but soon figured out some douchenozzle teenager had been doing donuts in my freaking yard.