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TIA
My '91 LS430 just has the basic sound system (i.e. non ML). The owner's manual clearly suggests that the ALS function should alter the sound level to compensate for changes in ambient noise. (It says nothing about changes in vehicle speed - just noise level changes due to road noise, outside noise, etc.)
I have done a test with the ALS on (ALS displays on radio LCD)and I have set the volume so it is just audible. I have then opened the windows where there is a lot of noise and, rather than detecting any volume change, the sound is just drowned out by the noise. In fact I have never noticed any compensating changes in volume.
So it appears to me that the ALS function is not working.
Now when I explained this to the service guy his first reaction is that the ALS does not make that much difference - but they would check on it.
Can those of you with the basic radio let me know - does your ALS make a noticible difference or is this a useless function?
Other that this the car has been flawless
Thanks in advance.
edarte, I have a 2K LS400 with the base stereo with ALS feature. It works. When I lower the windows at toll booths or in the City, I don't have to raise the volume manually. The ALS system compensates.
I don't need/want to make a big deal over this.
But if the ALS has actually failed perhaps the unit is flawed and something else will go next.
Thus I would like to be clear on what I should expect when the ALS does kick in.
I said, "Wait a minute, they told me I would be able to upgrade when the new one came out." He said, "Well, if you want to pay for it -- it's $350 for parts and labor, and we'd have to order it for you -- but there is no free upgrade."
Needless to say I am disgusted with all this double-talk. Do any of you know if and when the next Nav system release is available, and what it should cost?
Mine is the one that came with the car, identified as "2000, version 1".
Thanks -- Renny
1. During guidance following it suddenly "jumps" from one roadbed to another parallel one even thought IT guided you to the one you're currently on. Definite firmware flaw.
2. Tell them it oftentimes appears to successfully "compute" a route and then after you are somewhere along the computed route (maybe lost in the backwoods) it "bails", telling you that due to lack of map resolution in this area you must now use "dead reckoning".
3. Sometimes it will compute a "quickest time" route which is as much as an hour longer in time than the "shortest distance", computed route.
Seattle to Condon, Ore.
quickest: 311 miles, 5 hrs 58 min.
shortest" 268 mile, 4 hrs, 36 min.
Right, wwest?
DVD update.
I guess I was only half awake when I typed my last couple of posts. Yes, it is ASL and I have a '01 LS not a '91 as I claimed in my post.
Just got the car back from the service and I still do not detect any ASL effect. I will test it out more prior to the next service and then, if I still believe it is not working, I will insist on a demonstration in other vehicles.
Thanks again to all who took the time to help me with this.
He also told me that the 2002 LS430 has an upgraded Nav system drive, but not a new database.
If any of you have heard otherwise, would you please post. I still feel unsure that I now have reliable information.
We're getting totally different messages on the updates of the two.
I have a 2000 LS400. I didn't consider it after a short test drive. It was slow, handled poorly, and it's styling was down right 80s Buick.
Haven't driven a 2002 Q45. But I still doubt I would buy one given poor resale value and lack of image.
Beautiful on my 2000 GS300.
I was under the impression the 1st 2 nav updates were to be free and am now reading elsewhere that they are expecting to charge around $400 for them - when they finally become available.
They really ought to be embarassed about that phone issue and at least remove mention of it from their website. It borders on dishonest.
Maybe something special for the northwest only?? Somebody up there has a lot of pull.
As for the floor mats in the Ecru interior, I got my dealer to replace them with the darker gray mats for free since the standard off-white ones showed every speck of dirt after the first two weeks of owning the car. If you complain, they will usually give-in and give them to you for free.
Mine is in my profile. Thanks Greasykid 1.
Because of the higher mounting of the map display, at night people fly by and then slow down and play meek. They think the map is a radar detector. To be nice I turn it off. Nothing worse than passing a policeman. Tony
I see you're still trying (valiantly but unsuccessfully) to convert merc1 and arcoates. Good try, though. Plus, I happen to agree with you