I'm starting to really not like my '14...

[mdogg]

2. Factory Nav System - Let's take a reality pill here. All factory installed Nav systems that I've ever seen are overpriced and typically under-deliver (compared to aftermarket options). You have two choices: Live with it and operate within it's functionality.....or replace it with a significantly better aftermarket add on. Period. Those are your options. Complaining about what it can't do isn't going to help. Comparing it to a "better" aftermarket solution isn't going to help. I personally miss the days where I could "opt-out" of a factory radio altogether and just have my vehicle delivered with a $500.00+ additional discount that I could then apply toward a superior aftermarket unit. Unfortunately, there are NO car manufacturers that I know of who are doing that anymore. In reading countless posts on the factory system here on this forum, I've noticed that most of the functionality issues tend to be in many cases related to the device being paired with the Nav system. You might consider searching and reading to see if anything jumps out as a possible match for your issues. I have the factory (non nav) system in mine, and I find that it functions just fine as a radio and simple head unit for an ipod or usb drive with some music. It also works perfectly for me as a hands free interface to my android phone.....so I have no need to change it out.

3. Your TPMS issue - This should be solvable by your dealer. Tip: If your dealer hasn't been able to solve it in multiple visits, you might consider bringing it to another dealer with better techs. At the end of the day there are a finite number of components involved that could be the issue. Either you're driving on low tires (doubtful), or you have a sensor or part or the computer interface infrastructure that is faulty and needs to be replaced.

These 2 points are right on the money. #2 serves to showcase the basic limitations of the stock navigation unit. The bottom line is that it sucks. Use any free GPS/map service on your cell phone for better navigation. If there are interface issues on the unit itself, those are different and should be addressed by Toyota at some point.

#3 serves to highlight that it sounds like you might be dealing with idiots at the service center. Really, there are only a handful of things that could be wrong with the TPMS system. Their job is to find which sensor (or multiple?) is causing the issues you are having.


Unrelated to this, but on the point of spare TPMS since it was already mentioned..... the spare does not have a TPMS sensor in it and is not read by the computer. It could be inflated fully, flat, or removed completely and the computer would not know. At least, the 2010-2013 didn't have a spare TPMS, so I'm assuming this trend continued for 2014-2015 MY as well.

 

[1engineer]

Jeez. Call it what it is:

Buyer's Remorse.

Trade it for something you want because life's too short man. Seriously.

I have to laugh at all you "PC" guys.

 

[Orc]

I can understand the hood scoop and tires. Although I did do some wild snow off roading the other day and the stock tires did way better that my 07 tacoma tires did, maybe it's because of the weight over the back being an suv or because I was in 4lo with atrac on it did really well through snow up to the rockers!

I agree about the screens on the dash and center stack but it's an old design and they will likely go to what the 2016 tacoma is getting.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Unrelated to this, but on the point of spare TPMS since it was already mentioned..... the spare does not have a TPMS sensor in it and is not read by the computer. It could be inflated fully, flat, or removed completely and the computer would not know. At least, the 2010-2013 didn't have a spare TPMS, so I'm assuming this trend continued for 2014-2015 MY as well.

I think your right. I was thinking of my 4th gen I guess.

 

[Matt007b]

Reading the original posters post about the very vehicle I'm thinking of buying scares me... the factory NAV is really that bad? The ride is harsh and eats tires?

I'll have to research aftermarket units a little more I guess..

 

[Canon_Bob]

Reading the original posters post about the very vehicle I'm thinking of buying scares me... the factory NAV is really that bad? The ride is harsh and eats tires?

I'll have to research aftermarket units a little more I guess..

No, it's not. It's just like ANY factory nav system....overpriced and not nearly as functional as a Garmin unit. That's not a Toyota thing.....its ANY factory nav unit that I've ever seen regardless of vehicle manufacturer.

We have the same factory nav system that the OP doesn't like in my wife's Rav4, and she loves it. It does the job. But if you think you're getting the equivalent of a Kenwood or Pioneer integrated nav aftermarket unit (or an external Garmin unit)...think again. You'll be disappointed....just like the OP is.

 

[Marcocopuffs]

 

[gm350reratliff]

Reading the original posters post about the very vehicle I'm thinking of buying scares me... the factory NAV is really that bad? The ride is harsh and eats tires?

I'll have to research aftermarket units a little more I guess..

No, it's not. It's just like ANY factory nav system....overpriced and not nearly as functional as a Garmin unit. That's not a Toyota thing.....its ANY factory nav unit that I've ever seen regardless of vehicle manufacturer.

We have the same factory nav system that the OP doesn't like in my wife's Rav4, and she loves it. It does the job. But if you think you're getting the equivalent of a Kenwood or Pioneer integrated nav aftermarket unit (or an external Garmin unit)...think again. You'll be disappointed....just like the OP is.

Canon_Bob is correct. It's not as bad as everyone says, at least I don't think so. Knock on wood, I haven't had any issues with mine ever. There are some that do have issues though. Luck of the draw really. Does it work as good as my Pioneer touch screen in my 4th gen, no, but I didn't really think it would anyway.

As for the ride, I thought my '14 TE was too soft of a ride, just like my 4th gen. For my taste, I think it is much better now with the Icons, SAW rear springs, and rear Bilsteins but everyone will have a different opinion on this. My mom loved the way her old Buick drove. I couldn't stand it, I don't even get sea-sick on a boat in rough water but I would in that car.

Eating tires is usually because 1) the alignment is out of spec and/or 2) tires are not properly inflated. You would be surprised at how many vehicles are out of spec right from the factory. Same goes for tire inflation, although I believe TPMS has cut down on this.

Find a dealer that is willing to let you have an extended test drive and try out everything.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Reading the original posters post about the very vehicle I'm thinking of buying scares me... the factory NAV is really that bad? The ride is harsh and eats tires?

I'll have to research aftermarket units a little more I guess..

I have yet to hear anyone rave about any factory navigation system on a reasonably priced vehicle. You typically fall into two camps, the regular joes and the audiophiles.

 

[flatspin]

Mostly because it's wrong way more than it's right. Compared to Google Maps it's harder to find the locations, isn't as up to date, and gets the route wrong often.

For instance, I was trying to find my way to a park I had never been to for mountain biking. I'm sitting in my driveway for 5 minutes trying to get the nav to work. Finally gave up and used Google Maps on my phone. Took me 30 seconds and I was on my way.

Not that I'm complaining as I have never heard of someone who liked their OEM nav. I just use Bluetooth and Google Maps now.

 

[bpwwer]

I just want to comment on one point here.

Just like that hot girl the voice command either doesn't understand me, or ignores me. I'm not exaggerating when I say I had a Sony Ericsson cell phone from 2002 that had perfect voice recognition, because it matched your voice to your voice. I would love it if this voice recognition was half that good.

I felt the same way when I first tried to used me. At one point I was trying to cancel a route and it kept launching that fuel finder app. A bit later I discovered in the setup area that you can "teach" the voice recognition your voice. I went through the training steps and it now mostly understands what I say. Is it perfect, no. But it's way better than it was.

I still do have problems in that the delay between when it prompts and then beeps to indicate that I should talk is way too long. I tend to start talking before it's ready and that usually doesn't work out.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Reading the original posters post about the very vehicle I'm thinking of buying scares me... the factory NAV is really that bad? The ride is harsh and eats tires?

I'll have to research aftermarket units a little more I guess..

Test drive, eyes wide open, ignore the sales people. Read, read, read, think about it longer, search a while longer, read some more. No vehilce is ever perfect or does it all but it only has to satisfy "you". There's always compromises. It's been this way for every vehicle I've ever purchased.

Remember where you are when reading/researching and what they're about. This forum has a majority of people that have modified their rigs for a specific purpose. Reading some of the things they say may/will not apply to your use for your vehicle. Take the comments within the context when they're made. If I'm running MUD terrain tires, I might get 20,000 miles out of them on pavement. That has nothing to do with the tires you might have. Context, remember context.

PS, no factory Nav is ever going to measure up to a 3rd party, frequently up-datable Nav. Reading and searching would reveal this. I have the factory Nav but I rely on my 7" Garmin Nuvi 2757. I knew this before I purchased. I can save trip logs to use years later. I just reviewed a 2002 Yellowstone trip last week. In dash navs just get it done, no frills.

 

[wfo9]

Here is the good news. You should have great trade in value. t4rs hold their value very well.

And I agree, they have many imperfections and are meh in several areas. I don't think it would be my first choice if durability and off-road capability was not my #1 and #2 requirements. I can live with or work around all the other things that are annoying.

Overall, I think they are fantastic trucks that suffer from being a little outdated for a 2015 model year.

Most importantly, you have to have realistic expectations. Like everything, they have positives and negatives.

 

[Bouts]

I LOVE my Runner!!! How much??? I'm getting a '15 Trail in a couple of months. First time I've ever owned the same make/model twice in a row! That's how much!!!

 

[Kennyr44]

The Voice command is absolute crap. I wont even use it anymore. I just use my I phone. My wife still trys but I have a lower tolerance for junk than her. Dont have a fake scoop and havent had any drivability issues. When Im in snow Im in 4 wheel drive so tires arnt an issue. My only complaints with the truck is the binding in 4wheel drive on tight turns, Nav unit and lack of pr tailgate.

 

[wfo9]

The Voice command is absolute crap. I wont even use it anymore. I just use my I phone. My wife still trys but I have a lower tolerance for junk than her. Dont have a fake scoop and havent had any drivability issues. When Im in snow Im in 4 wheel drive so tires arnt an issue. My only complaints with the truck is the binding in 4wheel drive on tight turns, Nav unit and lack of pr tailgate.

Just FYI, I'm just saying this because I know others will hammer on this. The binding is not the trucks fault. It is what all locked center (no diff) part time 4wheel drive systems do in high traction situations. Take it out of 4wd in those situations or get a limited with all time 4wd and a center diff.

 

[ShannyBananny]

Nav is just meh. Not great, not the worst. It is definitely lacking.

Sounds like you should try a different dealer for the TPMS. It should be fixable and if the dealer you have been taking it to can't fix it, find another.

I also find mine to be a little gutless but I work around it. It is what it is.

Got rid of the stock tires one week after I bought it. Street tires on a 4Runner? No way.

The "quirky" things don't bother me because I love it. I took a hit when I traded in my one year old Camry for my 4Runner but it was worth it to me because I hated that Camry. It was total buyer's remorse. Maybe you are experiencing the same thing with your 4Runner but maybe if you get the TPMS thing figured out and put new tires on it, you will learn to love it.

 

[Titanpat57]

Sadly, if you had put some of the research into the 4runner like you did the FJ, you would've discovered most of your complaints are well documented here.

I hear your pain, and my take on nav units is this....I rather just spend the money on a new smart phone with several nav apps that work well, vs. buying technology that's antiquated. I had one vehicle with a nav and was never so disappointed.

I do think that tires are the absolute single best upgrade you can do...that an the Airlift 1000 mod.

The engine and the mapping is what it is. I had to make major "stomp and play" adjustments in my driving habits. Now I get my rocks off driving in 4L and the rear locker and ATrac on.

Hope it turns out to be something you can learn to enjoy

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

Agree that factory nav sucks in pretty much every application I've encountered. It's always so clunky and cumbersome compared to just using your favorite smartphone app. But I think it's this way regardless of vehicle.

Not liking the tires is an easy fix. But I have a bit of a tire fetish, having replaced the stock tires in both my vehicles as well as my trailer. And I buy a new set about every year for my car (because of track days and autocross). My point is, I probably have a higher tolerance than your average Joe for spending money on tires. However, I do think it's money well spent, among the biggest upgrades you can make (for any vehicle), and if you hate your stock tires that much, the solution is only as far as your nearest Discount Tire (or whatever).

The TPMS thing is a bit weird. I didn't notice where you live, but if you've experienced sudden fluctuations in temperature, could it be related to that? Could it be your spare? Could your sensors be bad? It seems like you could just take it to your dealer and refuse to pick it up until they fix it - I mean, if the air pressures are okay, it's either a bad sensor or a bad receiver, right? Maybe you just got a dud in this regard, but it too seems like an easy enough fix (and a free one, to boot). FWIW, my truck has never had a problem with TPMS, nor have I seen any threads about it, so I don't think it is a widespread or common issue.

The hood scoop thing, though, I've heard about. Don't have one, so don't know how bad it can get. Your idea of some sort of matte coating seems sound, though.

At the end of the day, though, you just might not be "feeling" the truck. I think when people want to like or dislike something badly enough, they usually find a way. Are you sure that's not what's going on here?

 

[JeremyB]

I found using the Bing app instead of the built in NAV voice command system is much better. Still nowhere near a phone or a Garmin with voice capability, but you can use it will moving and it works 80-90% of the time.