Interesting (and smart) feature on my '05.

[ToolmanJohn]

Re:Radio Problem

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

Not hijacking the thread, but your radio roblem is a bad head unit. When it stops functioning, drive to the dealership and leave it running so the tech can see t. This is how I had to get the dealership replace my stereo in 2003.

 

[eorange]

There's a thread on here that indicates this is a widespread problem. The problem is possibly releated to the auto door lock feature, and at least one person managed to get an amp replacement to fix it...?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1413&highlight=radio+volume

 

[khaug]

Anyone know of another vehicle with this feature?

Our '05 M-B E320 CDI has it. It's nice to have two vehicles in the family with this feature.

 

[pat161]

A friend of mine has an 03 GMC Yukon which also has the auto-crank feature. I don't mind what Toyota is doing but they are basically just using options other vehicles have on their own models. I have friends who like Toyota reliability but didn't buy the 3rd gen runner because the interior is too plain, low and behold the 4th gens came out all jazzed up with a bunch of buttons, much like what other companies had been doing already.

 

[Mark86]

Anyone know of another vehicle with this feature?

The V8 X5's have it as well. BMW didn't put that feature into the V6 5 yet though.