4Runner Starfish Heater Controls Bug Me

grahamfitter

Expedition Leader
I spent most of last week taking a rental 2008 4Runner where the large label on the steering wheel expressly prohibited and, as some like to say, it really did do everything really well. Well almost everything: I just couldn't get to grips with the starfish heater controls and neither could my two companions, especially when driving in the dark. The front passenger was invariably given the responsibility of button pushing.

toyota_4runner_sr54x4v8_2008_dashboard_tempcontrol_640x480.jpg


Simply put, if a control is round and looks like a dial, you should be able to turn it. If its a push-button, it should be obvious from a distance what it does.

I really think Toyota dropped the ergonomic ball here.

Cheers,
Graham
 

Wanderlusty

Explorer
I dunno why folks think they have to design things just to be new and different, when there was absolutely nothing functionally wrong with what they already had....
 

Ryanmb21

Expedition Leader
Dude, you need gas.

I have living with those controllers for over two years and I really like them. Once you get used to them, they work great.
 

Photog

Explorer
We went from a 1988 4Runner, with sliding controls, to this type. It took about a month to get used to it.

The whole climate control system is electronically controlled now. The easiest way to use it is to leave the A/C on and Auto on. Then just set the temp you like. I occasionally make use of the defog circuit, to clear the windshield.

Since it is electronically controlled, and there are separate buttons to allow control of everything, they had to come up with some arrangement. I suppose they could have had 3 groups of 6 buttons, in a square grid pattern. Maybe two rows of nine buttons. Most of these options are not appealing either.

This simple push button system should be very reliable. No cables, no dials, not detent balls, etc.

The buttons are arranged in a round format. Don't think of them as dials, and you won't be dissapointed.:sombrero:
 

grahamfitter

Expedition Leader
I understand what you're saying and, yes, everybody will adjust to new systems pretty quickly. But in my experience something that represents a range (radio volume, fan speed, temperature, lamp brightness, etc.) is better controlled using a knob or lever of some sort, even if behind the scenes its all electronics.

So, yes, radios with buttons for volume control bug me too. The 4Runner radio had a knob. I liked that. :)

Buttons can work well though if they're well laid out. The up/down temperature buttons would be fine by themselves (they would be better with red and blue labels or lights) but add the left/right buttons which look identical but have an on/off action and there is instant confusion. Even if they're all buttons, controls that behave in different ways (on/off, increase/decrease, chose one of several, etc.) should look different enough that its obvious at a glance what does what.

Don't get me started on the Chrysler turn signal stalk that has about ten functions and they do different things on different vehicles despite looking incredibly similar. I can get over the fact that some do lights and wipers, some don't do lights, etc. But some (like the Dodge Charger I've got this week) can flash a turn signal indefinitely without fully engaging the lever and it takes half a mile of various left/right flashing looking like a complete ************ while I find the secret handshake that switches the bloody thing off. Compared to that, the Toyota starfish are masterpisces of product design.

But the starfish still bug me.

Rant over. As you were...

Cheers,
Graham
 

Christian P.

Expedition Leader
Staff member
while there are possibly more important things in life to complain about, I do agree with Graham on this one - my friend has a 4Runner 2005 and I was also perplexed about these controls the first time I drove it.
 

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