Black Box EDR in Tacoma?

[BearHunter]

Does anyone know if the 2005 and later Tacoma has an electronic black box installed by Toyota?
More and more manufacturers are installing these MVEDR "motor vehicle event data recorders". This type of unit records all sorts of data that can be accessed by your insuarance company in the event of an accident. The unit will record speed, braking, lateral G forces, etc in the moments leading up to a crash. As of now most states do not allow this information to be obtained without a court order in place. However if you car is totaled in an accident and paid for by the insurance company the vehicle and the information in the black box becomes their property.
I know our truck computer records some data but was wondering if we have a black box recorder in our trucks and how you feel about someone knowing the history of your driving.
Any thoughts?

[Marazzito]

Yes it does, If you look in the begining of the owner's manual it tell's you all about it!

[jpmorrisvb]

Originally Posted by BearHunter

As of now most states do not allow this information to be obtained without a court order in place. However if you car is totaled in an accident and paid for by the insurance company the vehicle and the information in the black box becomes their property.

Originally Posted by BearHunter

Any thoughts?

You're right .. if your vehicle is totaled, the truck, with the box, becomes their property.

Is it a privacy issued? Somewhat yes.

Do I want my insurance rates to continue to climb because USAA pays out for accidents that are caused by recklesss driving that would go unnoticed without the box? NO!

I suppose that it is simply a case of taking responsibility for your actions. We make hundreds of choices daily, some simple and some not. If someone's wrong choice affects me than I am all for the box.

It is a case of me knowing that I am a careful driver and if an accident occurs this could be the very thing that covers my butt.

Okay ... I'll step down from my soapbox now.

Be careful and drive smartly!

[BradleyWayne]

As already stated yes it does. I recently purchased a 2006 Tacoma and while at the dealer for routine maintenance I asked them about the EDR. I was wondering if they could spool out the data for me to read. I thought it would be interesting to see the previous owners driving habits. They were fairly puzzled by my question and told me that they had no idea on how to download the data. I am not sure the guy really knew what I was talking about. Didn't like the service the dealer performed either but thats the subject for another thread.

[flyman767]

'EDR' unlike an 'FDR'(flight data recorder) does not record data on a continual basis. The EDR only records data in the event of a crash. Certain 'crash' perimeters have to met in order for the EDR to record. Additionally, special equipment is needed in order to access the information stored and it's highly unlikely a dealer has that capability. Also, there have been court trials where the data from an EDR was used against a person to document after a crash that a person tried to commit homicide by the way of his/her vehicle. These conclusions were adopted based on the perimeters extracted from the EDR.

Originally Posted by BradleyWayne

As already stated yes it does. I recently purchased a 2006 Tacoma and while at the dealer for routine maintenance I asked them about the EDRhighlyperimeters. I was wondering if they could spool out the data for me to read. I thought it would be interesting to see the previous owners driving habits. They were fairly puzzled by my question and told me that they had no idea on how to download the data. I am not sure the guy really knew what I was talking about. Didn't like the service the dealer performed either but thats the subject for another thread.

[arekay06082]

"Toyota reports that all its '05 models except Scion xA and xB, Lexus IS300, Tacoma, Tundra, and GX470 have EDRs." (referenced from "The Evolution of the Black Box From Airplanes, to Race Cars, To Under Your Seat", by Peter R. Thom and Associates Inc., Automotive Consulting and Engineering) Link: Peter R. Thom and Associates Inc. - Automotive Accident Reconstruction, Product Liability, and Expert Witness Services - Library

[arekay06082]

Note: There are several articles at this site I posted that really get into the heart of this EDR technology and how it can be used for and against your benefit.