Making a Bluetooth hands free call while driving

doema · 12-23-2012, 11:35 AM

I have just purchased a 2013 impreza sport premium within the last week so everything with the car is still very new to me.

My question is once my phone (iphone 4) is paired to the blutooth system and speed dial numbers are set, is it possible to make a call with the system while driving?

I get a message saying something to the effect of "due to safety concerns, this feature is not available while driving". Is this correct? Is anyone out there able to make a bluetooth call while driving?

Once the speed dial is set it takes about the same effort to make a call as
it does to change a radio station or turn on the a/c. (Which the car allows you to do while driving)

Thanks in advance for your help!

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ICE_NY · 12-23-2012, 11:23 PM

Which head unit do you have? I have the navigation and once you hit the phone button on the steering wheel (bottom left on the picture) I have access to a key pad on the nav which is gray-out (assuming the car is moving) but I still can access my "favorites" at the bottom menu. From there I can choose any of my favorites saved numbers.

Also, until last week I had a razr2 phone and I used to flip the phone and press and hold a key and be able to start a phone call regardless of if I was using the head unit (Radio, GPS, etc.) at the moment. I know with the iPhone this is much more complicated because of the touch screen interface, but maybe you can use Siri to assist you.

One more thing, I know for a fact you can use the "virtual assistant" in the car (the button with the speaking face on the steering wheel) to dial a number. I found this feature a hit or miss.

I hope this helps a little,

cheers.

blzr25x · 12-25-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doema

I have just purchased a 2013 impreza sport premium within the last week so everything with the car is still very new to me.

My question is once my phone (iphone 4) is paired to the blutooth system and speed dial numbers are set, is it possible to make a call with the system while driving?

I get a message saying something to the effect of "due to safety concerns, this feature is not available while driving". Is this correct? Is anyone out there able to make a bluetooth call while driving?

Once the speed dial is set it takes about the same effort to make a call as
it does to change a radio station or turn on the a/c. (Which the car allows you to do while driving)

Thanks in advance for your help!

I've experienced the same thing, I don't understand why it doesn't let you use the speed dials while driving. Even thought it is pretty much the same as using your radio presets, as you said. But you can dial by using voice commands.

mclrn227 · 12-25-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blzr25x

I've experienced the same thing, I don't understand why it doesn't let you use the speed dials while driving. Even thought it is pretty much the same as using your radio presets, as you said. But you can dial by using voice commands.

This annoys me to no end. You can easily press radio presets, so wtf? Or, they could have made the preset button on the steering wheel scroll through them and she could say the names!

I think they want to discourage the driver from placing calls while driving.

vette2000 · 12-28-2012, 06:20 PM

Is this an Iphone behavior or is it related to the subaru bluetooth?

Mephiska · 12-28-2012, 06:27 PM

The Nav has voice recognition for names in your contacts. I find it works best if you say the last name first, then first name. I have an iphone 5 paired via bluetooth on my 2013 nav.

voice recognition works while driving.

DANGELO · 12-28-2012, 06:38 PM

In my '13 Sport, I cannot use the car to make calls, nor can I adjust the stereo settings for balance, fade, and bass. I can receive calls fine, and I can use my iPhone 4S to make calls using Siri, which ain't all that bad.

The limits on the stereo settings irk me most...Can't lower the bass while driving. With my iPod shuffling thru literally thousands of different types of songs, I worry I will kill my speakers from bass settings from one genre to the next.

Alas, although I upgraded the speakers, the sound is lacking compared to the Alpine head-unit & Boston Acoustics Components in my '04 Corolla S that the Impreza replaced.

I see a new (Alpine or Pioneer) double-din touchscreen 'app-capable' head-unit down the road.

VR/SLD in CT

Happy New Year

Shohin · 12-29-2012, 01:33 AM

Somewhat related, but where is the microphone located for the handsfree?

Whenever I make a call, people tell me it sounds like I'm driving with the all the windows down on the freeway.

2013 WRX w/o nav paired with iPhone 5

rickrobin · 12-31-2012, 02:41 AM

These outrageous, unacceptable speed dial preset, tone control, and HD on/off lockouts are controlled via a wire that tells the head unit when the car is in motion. In the 2012 Impreza Limited, it's pin 19 in the wiring harness to the head unit. If you cut the wire, full control is restored. If you prefer not to cut the wire, search the audio forum for svxdc. He makes harnesses that can be inserted between the factory harness and the HU. Removing the bezel and head unit to do the mod is quite easy on the LTD, since the automatic climate control is electronic; on other models you have to disconnect the mechanical controls. There are threads, including mine, about all of this and other models, and svxdc can help as well.

Also, there are hidden menus where you can access the overall eq and loudness settings, which are largely responsible for making these stereos sound so bad. (Recommend turning both the eq and the loudness OFF.) Here's the insane procedure to access these on the Ltd:

Key in ACC position, radio off: Hold preset button #6 while spinning the right adjust knob 4 or 5 notches (works for me, but some people say more); release the button, then REPEAT the procedure. Now you're in the adjustable presets pages. Spinning the knob or hitting the "back" button will bring up loudness, EQ, and screen brightness settings, which can be toggled with the knob.

doema · 01-02-2013, 09:28 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

Banner · 01-29-2013, 01:30 AM

The BRZ has the same thing, even the VOICE CONTROLS won't let you make a phone call while drive? What stupid F'king ******* thought this up? Should be fired and never allowed to work again. NOW I have to dig my phone out and focus on that tiny screen to make a call.
THAT is a lot more dangerous.

12-23-2012, 11:35 AM	#1
doema Scooby Newbie Member#: 340222 Join Date: Dec 2012 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: SF Bay area Vehicle: 2013 Impreza HB DGM	Making a Bluetooth hands free call while driving I have just purchased a 2013 impreza sport premium within the last week so everything with the car is still very new to me. My question is once my phone (iphone 4) is paired to the blutooth system and speed dial numbers are set, is it possible to make a call with the system while driving? I get a message saying something to the effect of "due to safety concerns, this feature is not available while driving". Is this correct? Is anyone out there able to make a bluetooth call while driving? Once the speed dial is set it takes about the same effort to make a call as it does to change a radio station or turn on the a/c. (Which the car allows you to do while driving) Thanks in advance for your help! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

12-28-2012, 06:38 PM	#7
DANGELO Scooby Newbie Member#: 329707 Join Date: Aug 2012	Agreed! Annoying... In my '13 Sport, I cannot use the car to make calls, nor can I adjust the stereo settings for balance, fade, and bass. I can receive calls fine, and I can use my iPhone 4S to make calls using Siri, which ain't all that bad. The limits on the stereo settings irk me most...Can't lower the bass while driving. With my iPod shuffling thru literally thousands of different types of songs, I worry I will kill my speakers from bass settings from one genre to the next. Alas, although I upgraded the speakers, the sound is lacking compared to the Alpine head-unit & Boston Acoustics Components in my '04 Corolla S that the Impreza replaced. I see a new (Alpine or Pioneer) double-din touchscreen 'app-capable' head-unit down the road. VR/SLD in CT Happy New Year

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12-23-2012, 11:23 PM	#2
ICE_NY Scooby Newbie Member#: 324263 Join Date: Jun 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: New York, NY Vehicle: 2013 Impreza Sport	Which head unit do you have? I have the navigation and once you hit the phone button on the steering wheel (bottom left on the picture) I have access to a key pad on the nav which is gray-out (assuming the car is moving) but I still can access my "favorites" at the bottom menu. From there I can choose any of my favorites saved numbers. Also, until last week I had a razr2 phone and I used to flip the phone and press and hold a key and be able to start a phone call regardless of if I was using the head unit (Radio, GPS, etc.) at the moment. I know with the iPhone this is much more complicated because of the touch screen interface, but maybe you can use Siri to assist you. One more thing, I know for a fact you can use the "virtual assistant" in the car (the button with the speaking face on the steering wheel) to dial a number. I found this feature a hit or miss. I hope this helps a little, cheers.

12-28-2012, 06:20 PM	#5
vette2000 Scooby Newbie Member#: 340625 Join Date: Dec 2012	Is this an Iphone behavior or is it related to the subaru bluetooth?

12-28-2012, 06:27 PM	#6
Mephiska Scooby Newbie Member#: 17560 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: SF Bay Area Vehicle: 2013 STI 5-door Satin White Pearl	The Nav has voice recognition for names in your contacts. I find it works best if you say the last name first, then first name. I have an iphone 5 paired via bluetooth on my 2013 nav. voice recognition works while driving. Last edited by Mephiska; 12-28-2012 at 06:37 PM.

12-29-2012, 01:33 AM	#8
Shohin Scooby Specialist Member#: 170188 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Vehicle: 2013 WRX WRB	Somewhat related, but where is the microphone located for the handsfree? Whenever I make a call, people tell me it sounds like I'm driving with the all the windows down on the freeway. 2013 WRX w/o nav paired with iPhone 5

12-31-2012, 02:41 AM	#9
rickrobin Scooby Newbie Member#: 306993 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northern Catskills, NY Vehicle: 2012 Impreza Ltd. Ice Silver Metallic	These outrageous, unacceptable speed dial preset, tone control, and HD on/off lockouts are controlled via a wire that tells the head unit when the car is in motion. In the 2012 Impreza Limited, it's pin 19 in the wiring harness to the head unit. If you cut the wire, full control is restored. If you prefer not to cut the wire, search the audio forum for svxdc. He makes harnesses that can be inserted between the factory harness and the HU. Removing the bezel and head unit to do the mod is quite easy on the LTD, since the automatic climate control is electronic; on other models you have to disconnect the mechanical controls. There are threads, including mine, about all of this and other models, and svxdc can help as well. Also, there are hidden menus where you can access the overall eq and loudness settings, which are largely responsible for making these stereos sound so bad. (Recommend turning both the eq and the loudness OFF.) Here's the insane procedure to access these on the Ltd: Key in ACC position, radio off: Hold preset button #6 while spinning the right adjust knob 4 or 5 notches (works for me, but some people say more); release the button, then REPEAT the procedure. Now you're in the adjustable presets pages. Spinning the knob or hitting the "back" button will bring up loudness, EQ, and screen brightness settings, which can be toggled with the knob.

01-02-2013, 09:28 PM	#10
doema Scooby Newbie Member#: 340222 Join Date: Dec 2012 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: SF Bay area Vehicle: 2013 Impreza HB DGM	Thanks for all the replies!

01-29-2013, 01:30 AM	#11
Banner Scooby Newbie Member#: 116138 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sacramento Vehicle: 2013 BRZ Black	The BRZ has the same thing, even the VOICE CONTROLS won't let you make a phone call while drive? What stupid F'king ******* thought this up? Should be fired and never allowed to work again. NOW I have to dig my phone out and focus on that tiny screen to make a call. THAT is a lot more dangerous.