[Beer1952]

In an advertisement Toyota states that OTA (Over The Air) software updates are used to ensure that all Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) functions are always up to date, with the latest functions and improvements.
Now I have a 2020 RAV4 Hybrid AWD and am wondering if this OTA feature only applies to the most recent models, or also to existing models.
Older models could also receive the updates during an annual service by the dealer, including the TSS functions.
If that is the case, there will undoubtedly sometimes be updates that may be important for the driver to know.
Does anyone have had any experience with TSS updates or that these were made known?
Or have you ever noticed from the car's behavior in one of the automatic functions or display that an update has been implemented?

Kind regards

 

[Variman]

In an advertisement Toyota states that OTA (Over The Air) software updates are used to ensure that all Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) functions are always up to date, with the latest functions and improvements.
Now I have a 2020 RAV4 Hybrid AWD and am wondering if this OTA feature only applies to the most recent models, or also to existing models.
Older models could also receive the updates during an annual service by the dealer, including the TSS functions.
If that is the case, there will undoubtedly sometimes be updates that may be important for the driver to know.
Does anyone have had any experience with TSS updates or that these were made known?
Or have you ever noticed from the car's behavior in one of the automatic functions or display that an update has been implemented?

Kind regards

As far as I know, OTA updates to TSS are only available with V3.

Not sure if any updates are pushed at the dealer via Techstream on older models.

You may be able to update the infotainment head unit yourself. In the US, Toyota has a site to download software,

Home | Toyota Software

 

[SoylentGreenIP]

Updated my 2020 today, thanks for the link!

I also found another update to Gracenote database at the link below:

Toyota (visteoninfotainment.com)

 

[Bill Mac]

Updated my 2020 today, thanks for the link!

I also found another update to Gracenote database at the link below:

Toyota (visteoninfotainment.com)

Per the above link I went to the settings on the Home screen on my 2023 RAV4 Hybrid and there is not a "Settings" tab. There's Driving Focus, Announce Messages, Appearance, Wallpaper, Siri & Suggestions and Show Album Art. No "System" tab on the Home screen settings or the settings (gear icon) when in an audio source. At least not that I could find. I'll have my dealer do all updates at the next service appointment.

 

[Beer1952]

Thanks everyone,
You've all been very helpful

 

[FKHeath]

Per the above link I went to the settings on the Home screen on my 2023 RAV4 Hybrid and there is not a "Settings" tab. There's Driving Focus, Announce Messages, Appearance, Wallpaper, Siri & Suggestions and Show Album Art. No "System" tab on the Home screen settings or the settings (gear icon) when in an audio source. At least not that I could find. I'll have my dealer do all updates at the next service appointment.

Toyota changed the radio starting in '23. Radios before that, you pressed the Menu button which would bring up the Settings icon on the display.

 

[Bill Mac]

Toyota changed the radio starting in '23. Radios before that, you pressed the Menu button which would bring up the Settings icon on the display.

Thanks for that information! Good to know I wasn't missing something.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

As far as I know, OTA updates to TSS are only available with V3.

Not sure if any updates are pushed at the dealer via Techstream on older models.

You may be able to update the infotainment head unit yourself. In the US, Toyota has a site to download software,

Home | Toyota Software

I remember there was previously some sort of 5th generation RAV4 OTA update... I think it was in about summer of 2022. I did it in a parking lot on my gas model '21 XLE AWD. There were discussions about it in this forum. It was pretty amazing to me how it all worked. There was a notice about the OTA update availability that appeared one day on my touchscreen.

 

[Variman]

I remember there was previously some sort of 5th generation RAV4 OTA update... I think it was in about summer of 2022. I did it in a parking lot on my gas model '21 XLE AWD. There were discussions about it in this forum. It was pretty amazing to me how it all worked. There was a notice about the OTA update availability that appeared one day on my touchscreen.

The OTA updates in the past were only for the head unit, not TSS. Also, one can go to Toyota software updates (in USA) for head unit updates as well instead of waiting for OTA updates. The updates usually addressed Bluetooth/phone compatibility issues. The last update I had for my 2019 was to Nav system adjust the clock during daylight savings time. I have not seen any updates for my 2019 in two or so years, so I suspect that is all I will see.

Home | Toyota Software

www.toyota.com

I believe TSS V3 is the first safety system to offer OTA updates.

 

[FKHeath]

I remember there was previously some sort of 5th generation RAV4 OTA update... I think it was in about summer of 2022.

Also, one can go to Toyota software updates (in USA) for head unit updates as well instead of waiting for OTA updates.

OTA updates are not always reliable nor do they fetch the latest updates in my experience. Also, it depends on what audio system you have: "Audio", "Audio Plus", or "Premium Audio" (JBL)

The "Audio" radios are generally made by Pioneer and include the -0R350 and Corolla -12610 which is a common 8" screen replacement for the 7" RAV4 radio.

The "Audio Plus" and "Premium Audio" radios are made by Denso-Ten and include the -0R370 radio.

There are different software update instructions for the two, see:
T-SB-0025-21 and T-SB-146-19.

When I installed my Corolla 8" radio (-12610) it immediately downloaded an OTA update which was not the latest shown on the Toyota software update web site. I ended up having to download it from the web site, put it on an USB memory chip to stall the latest.

Last week I got a good deal on the "Audio Plus" -0R370 radio and installed it. It refused to recognize any OTA updates, so again, I had to download the latest from the web site and install it.