Interesting (and smart) feature on my '05.

[chrisp]

Not sure if it's on earlier model years but on my '05 SR5 V8 when I turn the ignition switch it activates the starter and then it runs itself until the truck starts. What I mean is that if you twist the key and realease it fast the truck will continue to spin the starter until it fires up. Also, you can't try to start it again once it's running. You can never get that nasty grind when you accidentally twist the key while it's running.

I think this is a pretty cool feature. I wonder however if you don't get spark or fuel or if for some reason the engine won't start how long it will cycle for until it stops.

 

[Mark86]

Not sure if it's on earlier model years but on my '05 SR5 V8 when I turn the ignition switch it activates the starter and then it runs itself until the truck starts. What I mean is that if you twist the key and realease it fast the truck will continue to spin the starter until it fires up. Also, you can't try to start it again once it's running. You can never get that nasty grind when you accidentally twist the key while it's running.

I think this is a pretty cool feature. I wonder however if you don't get spark or fuel or if for some reason the engine won't start how long it will cycle for until it stops.

This is a feature on all 4th generation V8's. I am not sure if this is the same on V6 models. I think it keeps cranking for 20 or 30 seconds and then it will stop. I think this is a great feature. The only problem is when I go into somebody elses car, I let the key go and the car stalls out.

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

My does that too! pretty neat that you don't have to hold it till the motor fire up! I think all 4g 4R has it..

 

[ToolmanJohn]

All 4th gen have it

It's called the "hold start" feature. Not only does the starter crank automatically until the engine is running, it is also prevented from engaging the flywheel when the engine is already running.

 

[kglueck]

it's a great feature...but has unfortunate consequences...I sat down in our departmental vehicle at work the other day (a dodge pickup) and flicked the key to start it...needless to say, it's not as slick as our 4runners... Had to stop and start it all over again. :

 

[alpha]

This is a feature on all 4th generation V8's. I am not sure if this is the same on V6 models. I think it keeps cranking for 20 or 30 seconds and then it will stop. I think this is a great feature. The only problem is when I go into somebody elses car, I let the key go and the car stalls out.

My does that too! pretty neat that you don't have to hold it till the motor fire up! I think all 4g 4R has it..

same here and I have a v6.. so I think its on all 4g 4R's..

it's a great feature...but has unfortunate consequences...I sat down in our departmental vehicle at work the other day (a dodge pickup) and flicked the key to start it...needless to say, it's not as slick as our 4runners... Had to stop and start it all over again. :

I do that.. I do it when I drive my mom's Pilot.. oh and also at work if I don't remind myself before I start it to hold it down like I did before I had the 4R..

 

[jharris2]

it's a great feature...but has unfortunate consequences...I sat down in our departmental vehicle at work the other day (a dodge pickup) and flicked the key to start it...needless to say, it's not as slick as our 4runners... Had to stop and start it all over again. :

It's a great feature, and it's easy to forget that other cars and trucks don't have it. I forget all the time when I try to start the Camry.... :bash:

 

[tkr128]

I forget all the time when I try to start the Camry.... :bash:

Me too with the other cars in the house. People look at me like I don't know how to start a car.

 

[GYoter]

Re: Re: Interesting (and smart) feature on my '05.

The only problem is when I go into somebody elses car, I let the key go and the car stalls out.

I do that too. I got in my friends 3rd gen and gave it one flick. Of course it didnt start, my friend looks at me and says its not your 4th gen you jackass. Then i told him his crappy 98 should have that feature. I got a good laugh.

 

[greasefingers]

Hopefully this will extend the life of the starter motor, because the frickin intake manifold must be removed in order to replace the starter motor; on the v8.

 

[20runner]

Anyone know of another vehicle with this feature?

 

[cdoyle]

funny, I think we all do this now when we drive something else

It gets me everytime now when I drive somethign else,
I'll get in and flick the ignition. Just to sit there and wait for nothing to happen..

 

[AlexJet]

Re: Re: Interesting (and smart) feature on my '05.

This is a feature on all 4th generation V8's. I am not sure if this is the same on V6 models. I think it keeps cranking for 20 or 30 seconds and then it will stop. I think this is a great feature.

My V6 Limited has it. I figure it out this morning (after 2weeks of getting the truck from dealer) when I just touch the ignition key and looked out for kid loading sax in the trunk. When I looked back in to the dashboard and was planning to start my truck I figure out that it already been running.

 

[CVsGX470]

I'ts on all 4th generation V8s and V6s.
CV

 

[24runners]

Re: Re: Interesting (and smart) feature on my '05.

...The only problem is when I go into somebody elses car, I let the key go and the car stalls out.

I do this when I have to drive my grandparent's Lexus' (they have 2 Lexus 430's)...you'd think a $70k Lexus would have this feature!

 

[eorange]

That is a cool feature! Never knew I had it. I also sat in the driveway last night, took a deep breath, gritted my teeth, and started the engine while it was already running. No horrible noises! It's small features like this that make the difference.

I did notice that when I tried to start the engine while it was running, it power cycled the radio. This could be handy, because I've encountered the problem where the volume controls occasionally don't work. Turning the radio off and on doesn't fix it, but stopping and restarting the truck does. I wonder if using the ignition trick would work - will have to see.

Erik

 

[24runners]

I drove my grandfather's 2004 double cab tundra yesterday and it too had the auto start feature

 

[darktiger]

Yeah that comes standard. When I get into my RX330, I occasionally turn and let go and the engine stalls, my fiancee always gives me that wtf look. Cant help I am use to that hold start feature...

 

[DaveS]

I never understand why Toyota don't carry neat features like this across more of their range - the windshield de-icer on the Highlander would be so useful if it had been designed in to the 4Runner, the auto crank feature on the 4Runner could have been designed in to the new Sienna since it only came out in 2004... I get the feeling they design in teams with the door shut..

 

[24runners]

I never understand why Toyota don't carry neat features like this across more of their range - the windshield de-icer on the Highlander would be so useful if it had been designed in to the 4Runner, the auto crank feature on the 4Runner could have been designed in to the new Sienna since it only came out in 2004... I get the feeling they design in teams with the door shut..

my brother's subaru legacy 2.5gt awd turbo has windshield wiper heaters in the windshield that heats right where the wipers sit *hehe*...at least thats what i think it does

maybe toyota was thinking that the 4runner is WAY more of an off-road vehicle compared to the highlander..therefore might have to have the windshield replaced more often...and would be cheaper just bein a plain ol windshield plus people have already said the 4runner has problems with windshield chips