Digital Speedometer and Miles to Empty

Hey guys, I'm new here, not sure if this has been posted or not. Ive searched and found nothing. So here it goes. This is my second 4Runner. My first was a 2014 Trail, and it has the old basic digital display in the center. The display showed my digital speed and estimated miles to empty on a single screen. I traded that one in on a 19 Tacoma, this one also showed the digital speed and a estimated miles to empty. I traded the taco in on a 21 4Runner (I missed it, the Taco doesnt compare, and yes I had the v6). My new 4Runner has this fancy gauge cluster with a fancy lcd display, it has a lot of info in it, but I cant seem to figure out if Im able to put the miles to empty under the digital speed display like my previous two vehicles. I know this is petty, but ive become accustomed to it and it bums me out I just have digital speed, or i scroll and see the miles to empty. Why cant I have both? So theres my question, is there a way to add Miles to Empty to the digital speed display? Thanks in advance

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

The following applies to my ‘22. I think it applies to your ‘21 also. The multi information display is between the speedo and tachometer. There are two 4 way rocker switches on the steering wheel. You control the display with the one on the right. Press the center button. Then press the right button until you get to the “Drive Information” display. (You may have to press the up button to highlight the current display icon first.) The Drive Information display is denoted by the symbol “i”. Once there, then press the down button 2 or 3 times until you see “After Refuel”. You will see miles remaining there.

 

So im able to scroll, I was wondering if I was able to do this... Basically get the digital speedo and DtE on the same screen? Wasnt sure if there was some mod or something to make it happen (This is the taco)

 

I get it now. On my ‘22 the speed is on its own screen. There’s no way I know of to get speed and range on the same screen.

 

Thats how my 21 is. Upsetting... Its still lightyears better than the taco.

 

You can always get that information to show up on your stereo Home Screen instead. I’m aware it’s not as convenient, but it’s the option I’ve ended up with.

 

Fortunately there’s a dedicated speed display one inch away from the multi-information display.

 

This is what I use. Digital speed on the instrument cluster and miles to empty on the home screen of the head unit.

Only downside is when using android auto, you have to hit the home button to see miles to empty.

 

Can I get it to show up when my phone plugged in and carplays going? I know when I unplug it its there.

 

Thatll do it? Hit the home button to cycle off the carplay?

 

Yep, won’t turn CarPlay off (so audio will keep playing) but it’ll bring you back to the home screen.

 

On mine the control pad on the right side of the steering wheel is set up so that when I double tap on the top button it takes me directly to MPG after refuel and that gives me miles to empty. To get back to my speed, I can either press the back button on that pad twice, the down button on that pad twice or the "Home" button which I have programmed to be my digital speed. I know it's not what you were looking for but it's a quick way to check miles to empty.

 

Thanks for the tip. Wish they just did the same as the taco =/

 

Wifes Lexus is the same. She wants the speed on the same display as the miles to empty and no bueno.

My Tundra can show the speed and miles to empty just like the Tacoma. Must be a real truck thing.

 

Calling the taco a real truck is an insult to real trucks

 

So I guess you weren't too impressed with the Tacoma, with the exception of the miles to empty display...?

 

Well never owned one so I don't know.

Now calling the Ridgeline a truck is another story.

 

I'm telling on my age here, but I learned something from this story...

When my daughter started driving I asked her how much gas she had in her car.
She said "215 miles" (or something like that).
I laughed and said, "no, I mean what does your gauge say?"

I was a little annoyed that she couldn't answer such a simple question, but I had absolutely no argument when she said:

"Now why would I need to know what the stupid gauge says when I know exactly how many miles I can go?"

 

Because miles to empty isnt always true.

Yeah its fine an dandy saying 25 miles to empty while cruising the same speed. Hit some traffic and watch that shit drop fast.

 

She must have asked Alexa…

 

I know this will ruffle feathers, but at least its a 4Runner forum... So here it goes.
The Tacoma felt cheap, in every way you could possibly imagine. I had a 2019 Tacoma TRD Sport with a 6 Speed Manual, and it was trash. The motor was absolutely gutless, people have the same complaint about the 4R, they should try a Tacoma. Theyll love their 4R. The Taco lacks any and all insulation. You hear every single bump in the road, and feel it, it was the crappiest ride Ive ever owned. I get that they can be modded to all hell, and theyre terrific for overlanding, but if you want a comfortable ride, where if you have a rough day and want to drive home in silence you can, buy a 4Runner. Im 35 years old, and if I bought the Taco when I was 23 instead of 33, It woulda been awesome. Not the case anymore. It was a 40,000$ car that drove, felt, and sounded entirely too similar to my 1600$ 1996 Eagle Talon I owned when I was 16 years old. It doesnt have that quality feel the 4Runner has. The only thing I miss is the Miles to Empty display. So, in conclusion, No I wasnt impressed. Not even a little. I'm on my second 5th gen for a reason. The 4Runner is the best vehicle I've ever had, its an animal in snow, and just an overall great ride.

 

Now if you asked me how much gas I had, I'd respond with something like "half tank" or the like, but I still like the read-out

 

I hope I didn't give the impression that I was judging your desire to see the miles remaining... That really was not what I was trying to say. It just reminded me of a funny story and funny exchange with my daughter where I thought I was going to "school" her and ended up being "schooled" myself.

I'm glad you like your 4runner. I had not owned one in more than 20 years until about a week ago. I agree with your assessment that it is just about right in most ways but missing a few things that would make it perfect.

 

Not at all! And she got ya!

I shouldnt have gotten rid of the first one... It could use a few quality of life improvements, and I'm sure the 6th gen will have those, but the 6 gen doesnt have 13 years of working the kinks out either. The 4.0 is bulletproof, along with the 5 speed transmission. Its as refined as it possibly could be at this point. I intend on keeping it til it dies, which may be never. Its about as perfect a vehicle as I could ever want. I just need to keep the rust at bay.

 

I was looking for a replacement for my 17 year old Range Rover and just could not stomach the price of a lot of the new luxury SUV's. The 4Runner is a solid platform that doesn't require a lot of maintenance and the maintenance it does require is a lot more reasonable than what I've been driving... Plus, I am amazed at the resale value.

Just curious, what do you plan to do to keep the rust in control?

 

Ill end up using Fluid Film Black on the entire undercarriage once a year in the fall.

 

I see a lot of posts suggesting the use. I may adopt your strategy.

 

If you do Fluid Film yourself, does the overspray on the bottom of body or electrical wiring/conduit cause any problems? Is it impossible to avoid overspray on the exhaust system and if not, does it burn off? Reading it is Lanolin based, it seems it would just burn off? Do any mechanics that might work on the vehicle later have issues with the Fluid Film all over the under-carriage? I’m guessing it does not make any subsequent repairs more challenging