Most of you know, but RDS is a system certain radio stations utilize which will broadcast their programming, like what song is currently playing or the nickname of the radio station, or the type of programming e.g. 'Diary of Jane', 'Free FM', 'Rock', etc.


I looked over the audio section of the owner's manual and couldn't find where to 'enable' RDS. I could have sworn I'd seen it somewhere before, plus it makes sense that we'd have it, since we can display .mp3 text on the non-nav radios.


Can anyone point me to where I find how to enable? Or is my mind just playing tricks on me...

It is automatically enabled.

If the station broadcasts it you will see the MSG symbol appear.

Hit that symbol and you will see the name of the song.

From what I've seen....very few stations are currently broadcasting it.
I've been to your area, the hip hop station there would probably be broadcasting it.


Byron

I had completely forgotten about this. All the literature about Camry Hybrid says RDS is standard equipment. I hope someone knows about this! (then again, maybe none of my local radio stations are broadcasting the RDS signal)

Hmmm, just went back out to the car and checked. I see neither a MSG symbol nor where I would push to get it turned on.

I have non-nav radio, and I checked 101.5 FM which I know for a fact broadcasts RDS, since it would display in my recently sold BMW.

I did try pressing Text as well as holding down the Text button for 10+ seconds but got no confirmation beep and the display did not change from the 101.5 station readout.

Welp, if anyone figures this out for non-navs, by all means advise.

I do have the NAV, and that may be the difference.

I did leave out a potentially important thing. First program the station into a position.
After that select it from the menu. A few (up to 7) seconds later you should see the MSG light appear at the bottom of the screen....Actually hold on....let me check the exact positioning....ok...it shows up directly above the TRAF light on the bottom right corner of the screen.

Also...here is a list of all the RDS stations

http://www.rdslist.com/freq/89.php

The first Phoenix listing I saw was

89.5 KBAQ - Phoenix, AZ

Roger that, thanks for your efforts in researching the info...still no joy here.

The general consensus seems to be Nav=RDS, non-Nav=no RDS.
RDS is mentioned in the Nav manual while there is no mention of it in the regular manual.
Somebody saved a few dollars and left RDS out of the non-Nav radio.

OT (a little):
I (personally think) the LCD screen should be standard equipment on all TCH's whether they have a NAV or not. Just like all the Prius' do. The phone, radio, energy displays are so much nicer in the LCD even if you don't "pop" for the NAV.
Just my 2 cents.
J