4 Runner Usability Issues

W

Wahoo

New member
Recently bought a 2005 4Runner SR5. While I love the functionality and the way the car drives, I am both suprised and dissapointed by a number of usability flaws on the vehicle.

Part of my dissapointment is that my last car was a Nissan Maxima, and I perceived Toyota as a step up in terms of engineering. My experiences after 3 months with this truck is that things in the 4Runner are NOT well thought out, which is shocking considering the longevity and popularity of this model.

1. Button on the remote to lower the back window-- No less than 8 times I have arrived to my truck to find the back window down, the button on the remote key fob having been accidentally pressed in my pocket. While this function is there as a "convinence," I can't think of very many situations where I would want to open the back window completely from afar. I can think of several BIG reasons (theft, damage due to rain) why I wouldn't want to accidentally do this.

2. Can't lock the door from the remote with any doors open-- Yet I can lock it from the button inside the car. I carry around a lot of stuff. My routine is to open the back door, lock the car, put the keys in my pocket, grab my stuff, then shut the door with my hands full. When I attempt this, the car scolds me with a long high pitched beep, and won't lock the car. Part of the problem here is my routine since my last car allowed me to do it this way, but what "safety" does not allowing me to lock with the remote provide? Especially when I can easily lock my keys inside the car with the button on the inside of the car anyway?

3. Car beeps incessantly as I lock and unlock the doors. I have always hated the a-holes who's cars did this, and now I am one of them. :D

4. Cup holders: Adjustable for three sizes: Too small, a little too big, and way too big. Come on. This is Design Concepts 101 stuff. On the other hand, the in-door bottle holder is actually very nice. Just not something I can use while driving.

5. Climate Control: Auto never seems to "know" what I want, and resets my demands every time I restart the car. The up-down temp buttons are a rediculous way to set temp (I have to press the button 15 times to go from HI to 70 after the car warms up) but this seems to be the new trend in the auto industry. Getting nitpicky here but the design of this was not well thought out in my opinion.

That's the big stuff. Overall I love the way the truck drives but a few of these things are dealbreakers. I am waiting for the day I arrive to my car to find a bum sleeping in the back, rear window down. :bigok:

Any suggestions to how to get around some of these flaws are appreciated, of course!!! ;):
 
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I was totally expecting to come in and find some unreasonable complaints, but honestly I feel the same way about the majority of them! haha

I think the key is that they create many features for the "majority" of users, when in reality we may not be part of that majority. I work around it; however, and I just try to be extra careful about hitting any remote buttons around my car. I have noticed that the remote buttons are far more sensitive than any other remote I've carried.

I have found the cupholders to be mediocre at best. I try to put a coffee mug in there - no dice. My girlfriend's {cough} Jeep Liberty{cough} can handle that task though. Just a minor thing.

Like you said, all minor issues but still they're annoying at times.
 
Wahoo said:
Recently bought a 2005 4Runner SR5. While I love the functionality and the way the car drives, I am both suprised and dissapointed by a number of usability flaws on the vehicle.

Part of my dissapointment is that my last car was a Nissan Maxima, and I perceived Toyota as a step up in terms of engineering. My experiences after 3 months with this truck is that things in the 4Runner are NOT well thought out, which is shocking considering the longevity and popularity of this model.

1. Button on the remote to lower the back window-- No less than 8 times I have arrived to my truck to find the back window down, the button on the remote key fob having been accidentally pressed in my pocket. While this function is there as a "convinence," I can't think of very many situations where I would want to open the back window completely from afar. I can think of several BIG reasons (theft, damage due to rain) why I wouldn't want to accidentally do this.

2. Can't lock the door from the remote with any doors open-- Yet I can lock it from the button inside the car. I carry around a lot of stuff. My routine is to open the back door, lock the car, put the keys in my pocket, grab my stuff, then shut the door with my hands full. When I attempt this, the car scolds me with a long high pitched beep, and won't lock the car. Part of the problem here is my routine since my last car allowed me to do it this way, but what "safety" does not allowing me to lock with the remote provide? Especially when I can easily lock my keys inside the car with the button on the inside of the car anyway?

3. Car beeps incessantly as I lock and unlock the doors. I have always hated the a-holes who's cars did this, and now I am one of them. :D

4. Cup holders: Adjustable for three sizes: Too small, a little too big, and way too big. Come on. This is Design Concepts 101 stuff. On the other hand, the in-door bottle holder is actually very nice. Just not something I can use while driving.

5. Climate Control: Auto never seems to "know" what I want, and resets my demands every time I restart the car. The up-down temp buttons are a rediculous way to set temp (I have to press the button 15 times to go from HI to 70 after the car warms up) but this seems to be the new trend in the auto industry. Getting nitpicky here but the design of this was not well thought out in my opinion.

That's the big stuff. Overall I love the way the truck drives but a few of these things are dealbreakers. I am waiting for the day I arrive to my car to find a bum sleeping in the back, rear window down. :bigok:

Any suggestions to how to get around some of these flaws are appreciated, of course!!! ;):
Click to expand...

I've never had the back window down accidentally by the remote. I've had the truck unlock before by mistake, but the truck normally locks back up in 30 seconds if no one opens it. For the rear window to go down, the button has to be depressed for a few seconds.

can't help you with the locking function. I kind of like that there is an indicator that one of the doors are not closed.

The beeps for locking/unlocking the car can be fixed. Some have disconnected the speaker for the beep or you can ask the dealership to lower the volume of the beeps.

Cup holders are annoying, but I've found that napkins fill in the gap quite nicely.

My climate control remembers what temp I had it set and it is still the same the next time I start the car. You can also hold down up/down and it will jump through the numbers quickly.

But hey it could be worse, you could be driving a Ford...
 
1. attach a small piece of thin plastic just above the window down button with super glue so you will have a flap protection.

2. change habit.

3. disconnect beeper at the dealer.

4. no idea they must have changed this for the 07 one size in the console.

5. agree. to picky. BUT ask the dealer as my climate control stays set with each re start.

.........
 
To clarify, the temp does stay set with each re-start... but A/C and recirc do not, if I am using AUTO.

I stopped using AUTO and just handle it manually which suits me fine.
 
Wahoo said:
Recently bought a 2005 4Runner SR5. While I love the functionality and the way the car drives, I am both suprised and dissapointed by a number of usability flaws on the vehicle.

1. Button on the remote to lower the back window-- No less than 8 times I have arrived to my truck to find the back window down, the button on the remote key fob having been accidentally pressed in my pocket.
Click to expand...

I've never had that happen to me. I have had the truck unlock by accident but it locked automatically 60 seconds later. It sounds like you have too much stuff on your key ring & something might be pressing the button.


Wahoo said:

2. Can't lock the door from the remote with any doors open
Click to expand...

I also HATE this! My last vehicle was like yours. I could, and did lock the doors with the remote prior to closing the doors. You know what... I NEVER accidentally locked myself out! This is one thing I believe Toyota dropped the ball on. They must think all their customers are idiots. :bash:

The cup holders, beeps, and climate controls all took a bit of getting used to or adjusting to your preferences. I now have no issues with any of those items.
 
Like others have said, I have never once returned to my 4Runner to find the rear window inadvertently down. On my key fob, it takes a good three or four seconds of depressing the window switch before the window is activated. How on earth have you been accidentally pressing the button that long repeatedly? Seems strange....

Did you know that you can set up the door locks to automatically lock when you start driving? I'm not really sure if that will help you, but I didn't really understand your complaint.

I myself would prefer a simple knob adjust temperature, but I learned to live with the 4Runner controls. I don't keep tapping the button....I'd rather just hold it until it gets to the desired setting.

Cup holders? Come on now.... I use my constantly and they seem to work just fine for just about any kind of bottle, cup, or container. I've had everything from a Big Gulp to a mug of coffee to a thin Red Bull in the cup holders and never had a problem. I think you're being a little nit-picky on that one!
 
Wahoo said:


1. Button on the remote to lower the back window-- No less than 8 times I have arrived to my truck to find the back window down, the button on the remote key fob having been accidentally pressed in my pocket.

I've had this happen many times as well, its not a great feeling to go eat after a round of golf and come back to find a set if titleist clubs sitting there for anyone to to just grab. i've had to get in the habit of carrying my keys in my hand until i think im out of range for the remote to work....Very annoying!!
Click to expand...
 
Wahoo said:


1. Button on the remote to lower the back window-- No less than 8 times I have arrived to my truck to find the back window down, the button on the remote key fob having been accidentally pressed in my pocket.

I've had this happen many times as well, its not a great feeling to go eat after a round of golf and come back to find a set if titleist clubs sitting there for anyone to to just grab. i've had to get in the habit of carrying my keys in my hand until i think im out of range for the remote to work....Very annoying!!
Click to expand...
 
revive a thread

Yes I see it is an old thread

I came across it searching for key fob covers. Some seem to think they are useless while others find them good cheap protection for the plastic key fob which itself is not that cheap to replace.

I don't know the 4th gens-but on the 3rd gens by activating the window lock button at the driver door the remote rear window down feature on the key fob is disabled.

Did not see anyone mention this so just throwing it out there for anyone else that actually searches for a similar topic.
 
I have had the back window roll down by the button on the key fob getting pushed when I put the keys in my pocket I just moved things around on my key ring to protect the button.....started out putting one of those little plastic card thingys they scan that the store give you for bonus points when you buy things points to cover the fob and now I just use my old dog tag....it about the size of the fob and protects the button nicely
 
Wow .........That's all I can say The things some people complain about ....Seriously locking the doors with a door open is really that bothersome ? Not trying to start something But when you bought your Toyota you obviously didn't research and bought an SR5 you should have bought a limited or sport if you need more automatic features ... yes toyotas are engineered much better than Nissan but not Toyotas fault you didn't get the options you desire.
 
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