The "logic" behind the steering wheel stereo controls...

Pics or it didn't happen. Also, if you have a 2019 or earlier, it's up and down, but it's in a different spot than the 2020 and up, too. I forget what fills the spot on the 2020.

https://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/...dr-suv_trd-off-road-premium_swd_oem_1_815.jpg

 

I don't get it either 2018 here "rocker" switch for volume up is higher and down is well you get it.

 

This is the layout on a 2021.



I think 2020 was the first year for it, I know my 2015 has the up/down volume rocker.

 

I dunno I think I like the volume switch being up and down but whatever... It's the day of the cell phone nobody can live without their phones so it looks like that feature won out over the radio volume.

 

The old style you’re referring to was so much better and made a lot more sense.

 

The old ones already had controls for the phone, and they put the controls for the adaptive cruise in a previously unused spot, so I'm not sure what problem they thought they were solving.

 

X2

 

Yep.... lost them marbles!

 

Same.

With XM radio, I occasionally will listen to the stand up comedy stations. I see no reason to program in all of them. So I have 1 listed as favorite then turn the knob to listen to other ones.

 

System controls are always an interesting topic. I am an engineer and the design of user interfaces is always a daunting challenge. With more features, more controls are needed. The complexity of operation becomes more difficult. If you ever sit in the cockpit of jet, especially a fighter jet, you will be overwhelmed at the number of controls. More controls means slower human response time. That is why the next generation of fighter jets may not need pilots.

I am a big fan of the KISS principle (keep it super simple). However, as more features are developed more controls a required. It is a difficult task to add features and still keep it simple. And we all know that you can never please 100% of the people 100% of the time.

I personally like fewer options and more simple controls. For instance, I prefer a radio with tactile knobs that require less fine motor skills. I like controls that are obvious and don't require me to think through to operate. However, in the technology of today more options are not going to subside. Hence why the 4R owners manual is now hundreds of pages.

Our best hope is to adapt and gain the muscle memory to operate the controls, before we get so old that our muscle memory is gone. Mine is certainly starting to fade.

P.S. Maybe in the future AI will be so refined that we won't even need a transfer case shift lever and controls for traction control, etc. The computer will automatically adjust for wheel spin and engage whatever settings are required to keep moving. BUT THAT WILL TAKE ALL THE FUN OUT OF IT!

 

The volume/preset controls on my 2020 are seriously the single thing that annoys me most about the vehicle. In the sense that every time I drive I have to deal with it. An up-arrow to go from 101.5 to 99.7? Really? I thought it was some weird option that had been configured wrong...

 

I freakin' hope not. I bought the 4Runner 'cause it's a Toyota, but also 'cause it's got a good ole fashion shifter, the way God intended

 

I think I had it figured out until this post

 

Nope. My 2013 is proper with volume up & down. Crazy thing they did to change it! Just upgraded to a 2020 and it’s backwards.

 

This thread has been so validating! I just passed down my 2013 4Runner to my son and bought a 2020. One of the first things I noticed and my left thumb refuses to adapt.

 

agree that it makes no sense for volume to be left and right... i constantly make the mistake on my 2022 and end up changing the channel... wish there was a way in the settings to change this...

 

You adjust volume left and right instead of up and down.

There are also controls for seeking tracks, but instead of left and right, they are up and down, but laid out left and right.

The same kind of idiot logic is seen on the head unit.

 

I just wish they would not have different setups on cars across the toyota model line, and model years. What is so bad about standardizing, say the top 5 used functions across the entire brand?

Very little human factors engineering in these systems. The hvac system on my 2018 highlander xle is mindnumbingly designed. You feel the IQ points departing your head trying to operate it. I just cant figure it out…and the more you look at it the more confusing it gets. Its frankly a danger to figure out how to clear out a fogging windshield while driving. Love the simplicity for the 4 runner hvac, at least.

 

makes perfect sense.