This afternoon at 3:30 PM, I started up our 2010 Prius in 90F weather. The neighbor's tree was just starting to cast its shadow but the radio didn't work. The LCD display showed 'heat stress' muddled patterns and no sound came from the box. I had errands to run and about 10 minutes later with the AC working, the radio came back. The display was still 'heat muddled' but at least the electronics were working. I parked in the shade to do my shopping and when I came out, the radio and LCD display were working perfectly. So the question is, what next? Do we treat this as a defect and return the car for correction? Now I can put some sort of sun screen over the radio area and hopefully minimize or reduce the heat stress. Southerners are also used to using a sun shield in the windshield and I'll put one in the car. Now I can easily instrument the area and verify that my fixes work. But that doesn't get the problem back to Toyota for a proper fix ... if it can be fixed. Thoughts? How should we address this 'feature' or 'defect'? Bob Wilson ps. The 'feature' is no sound to distract you from having saved money by avoiding the window tinting.
Hi Bob, Yes, I suggest you use a digital camera to take a good photo of the display when it has failed so that you can prove the existence of this intermittent problem.
Definately get it in for a check. According to Murphy's law, they will not be able to duplicate the problem, but you will have a record so that after the warrantee expires, and it starts doing this consistantly, you will be able to get it fixed under warrantee becuase the dealer has a record of you early complaint.
In marketing, there are no defects, only features. This feature is to audibly and visually indicate you should be cautious because it's hot and you could be in danger. So this is a safety feature, not a defect
Oh, like when the 'server' at a restaurant warns you the plate is hot! I have to agree, 'defect or feature', it shouldn't be happening. There isn't likely a warning in the owner's manual to not park in the sun because some of your electronics will fail.
