Toyota Bluetooth Cell Phone Basics
Jason | Feb 20, 2009 | Comments 18
Bluetooth technology has radically changed the way that people integrate personal electronic devices into their automobiles. The term “Bluetooth” refers to a protocol for wireless data transfer that allows different types of consumer electronics – cell phones, navigational systems, and mp3 players, for example – to communicate with each other. Probably the most common instance of Bluetooth technology in use are wireless headsets for mobile phones. These small earpieces are paired with a cell phone that can be as far as 12 feet away, allowing hands-free operation of the phone while driving or working.
The Blackberry Bold (right) and the Samsung Eternity (left) are two new popular Bluetooth enabled phones that are compatible with Toyota’s Bluetooth systems.
Since cellular phones and driving safety have become inextricably linked over the past few years, many municipalities have passed laws banning the use of hand-held phones while driving. This has lead to a surge in the popularity of Bluetooth earpieces and headsets, as hands-free phone use is still usually permitted. Over the past few years, Toyota has helped to lead the charge to incorporate Bluetooth technology into their vehicles in order to take hands-free cell use a step further.
By building Bluetooth functionality directly into a wide range of their vehicles, Toyota has created a system wherein a phone can be paired with a vehicle instead of just a headset. This means that when the phone rings, it can be answered through the car’s stereo system, which has been updated to include a small microphone. Drivers can speak as though they are conversing with another passenger instead of concentrating their attention on a phone. Obviously, using your Tundra’s Bluetooth system to take and make phone calls is much safer and far less distracting than holding a cell phone, drinking a Big Gulp, and steering with your knees.
Toyota has also added in a bunch of features like one touch dialing through a vehicle’s navigation screen, as well as directly connecting to destinations listed on the nav system. A phone log is also kept, along with a phone book for the car. Toyota’s website provides an excellent description of Bluetooth technology in general, along with the specifics of what their integration includes.
Up to 6 different phones can be paired with a single Toyota, meaning that your spouse and children can all take advantage of the additional safety of hands-free phone service without having to go through any complex procedures to activate their mobile units. Unlike a standard earpiece, Toyota’s Bluetooth system can maintain a call even if the phone is up to 30 feet away from the car, which could be useful if you need to answer your phone only to realize that it is in a friend’s pocket while they are making a pit stop at a gas station or convenience store.
In order to take advantage of this new technology, Toyota requires that your phone be compatible with their service. Fortunately, the list of phones that can by used with Toyota’s Bluetooth-enabled stereos is quite long. If your phone isn’t in the list, but you are still interested in using Bluetooth in your Toyota, you can actually purchase a handset from them that will let you do so.
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By far the second best feature in my truck. If you have to ask about the best feature you either don’t own a Tundra or you didn’t opt for the 5.7.
Had the verizon/Onstar in my 06 chevy. Used the phone maybe 5x a month. Not worth the extra $10 a month. In my Tundra I use my MP3 until it died and now have an Ipod Nano.
Could care less to answer my phone while driving. I’m used to being unavailable while on the road anyway (motorcycle). I have a headset as it’s the law in Cali and I can walk out of the truck and continue to use the phone when I get to my destination.
Being in the Technology support field I have to be in constant contact with people. I guess that it why I love mine.
Hold on – I’ve got a call. I’ll comment on this later!
My Blackberry has a special tone for every other setting except my work email which is silent (no sound, just the red light). That should tell you how much I stay connected to work.
I tried to connect my I phone to my 09 Tundra Via bluetooth and it does not seem to want to connect. It seems like a shame that one of the most popular trucks and most popular phones are not compatible. Hopefully im mistaken can anyone clarify.
Chris – Is your phone listed here? http://toyota.letstalk.com/bra.....t/home.htm
Wish Toyota’s bluetooth functionality supported encryption. My Corp blackberry requires bluetooth connections to be encrypted. Anyone know if there’s an update from Toyota available?
Dan B – Good question!
Hopefully someone knows the answer. I’m working with my BB support group to edit their enterprise policy on this issue.
Has anyone been able to pair the new blackberry storm 2 9550 with the 2010 toyota tundra?
I upgraded from the storm this week, which paired in no time, to the storm 2 and can’t get it to.
Any help?
Toby
I just purchased a 2010 Tundra and can only pair my blackberry bold (9000) for bluetooth audio which works great. I can’t get the phone functions working and the system acts like it has not been paired. When I try to pair it for phone only it will not pair. I looked on the compatibility website and the bold is not listed there for the 2010 Tundra. Tell me there is a firmware update for the Tundra BT system????
Wats Up – Sorry man, I don’t have an answer. This is one of the few times when it makes sense to call Toyota’s customer service number directly rather than your dealer. Honestly, it might be easier to get another phone…
@Wats Up: I have the same phone and am able to pair it to my ‘07 Tundra. Are you not getting the “BT connection successful” message on your Nav unit? Make sure your bold is not trying to find an encrypted connection, I know that won’t work. Ocassionally the connection will flake on me and i have to delete the device from both the truck and phone but not too often.
After fiddling with the bluetooth settings again and trying a connection for the hundredth time the phone started working. I don’t know what the difference was as I was doing the same sequence of things but it just started working! Yeah! Thanks for the posts.
Im having trouble transfering my contacts to my Tundra radio from my BB Bold 9700. Can anyone help me?
The handsfree feature via bluetooth to the BB Bold worked for about one week and then quit. I tried to relink up with my phone but to no avail. The streaming music works great, just not the phone features. Tried to stream Pandora as well and it will for about 5 seconds and then drops connection. If Pandora is playing and then I use the built in media player via bluetooth, both the media player and Pandora stream at the same time. Very strange. I think there must be a bug in either the phone firmware or the Tundra firmware. Nor sure which. Is anyone else having similar problems?