Updating Software on 2016 Prius

Ever since I got the Apple iPhone X, I’ve had issues with the bluetooth system and the phone. The radio system would just restart when I try to place a phone call. The radio would not respond and pause thinking that it would swich over to the phone then it would just crash and restart. My navigation settings would reset. I would have to tell it the state I’m in and the map view setting. This is more dangerous than using the cell phone instead of bluetooth – in my opinion. It’s random but it happens at least once a day.

I checked if there was an update available but I can even install it. The button is not selectable. I believe you would have to plug in a USB or micro SD card and it checks if that contains an update. I searched online to see if I could find instructions but can’t seem to find any. I finally brought it in to a dealer and asked about it. The technician found out that there is an update available. They were going to charge me $70. I said no! That’s ridiculous for them not to support the software for free. I may be looking at it the wrong way but imagine buying a laptop from Dell and they charged you a fee to update the operating system – not even a new version of the OS but a patch. I asked if they could just give me the patch and I’ll give them a micro SD card to put it in. They would not do it.

I brought it in to another dealer since I needed to do an oil change. I mentioned about the radio and bluetooth issue and hinted that there might be some update. They added it to the list of things to do during the maintenance. I get a call back that the car was finished along with a software update installation. They didn’t even charge for the update. Here’s the software version before and after.

2016_prius_old_software.jpg
Old version 010182

Here’s the new software version.

2016_prius_new_software.jpg
Version 010192 – don’t mind the dust

After a few days it hasn’t restarted. The only difference I see now is my iPhone X doesn’t connect all the time when I turn on the car. I have to manually connect it. I don’t know if it’s the iPhone X or the Prius. I have a 2013 Toyota Sienna and my iPhone X works flawlessly there. I tried the Google Pixel 2 XL and it works without issues with the Prius.

I have already re-paired the iPhone X before trying the software patch with Toyota. Hopefully it continues to work without the restarts.

 


Comments

One response to “Updating Software on 2016 Prius”

  1. Hi, your entry was nice and informative! Hey, let’s follow, and share each other to grow together. Thanks!

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