Orange stereo head unit display

[McGruder]

Anyone else find that the stereo display is too dim during the day, even though the console brightness is turned all the way up? At least the information display above the stereo has the ability to kick the brightness up (using the "mode" and "set" buttons with the headlights turned off) to a legible level combined with the larger character set. Perhaps there is a way to increase the intensity or polarity of the stereo display I couldn't find in the manual??

 

[SeattleMike]

Anyone else find that the stereo display is too dim during the day, even though the console brightness is turned all the way up? At least the information display above the stereo has the ability to kick the brightness up (using the "mode" and "set" buttons with the headlights turned off) to a legible level combined with the larger character set. Perhaps there is a way to increase the intensity or polarity of the stereo display I couldn't find in the manual??

Those settings can be changed at the dealer, according to the manual.

 

[adoihcj]

Anyone else find that the stereo display is too dim during the day, even though the console brightness is turned all the way up? At least the information display above the stereo has the ability to kick the brightness up (using the "mode" and "set" buttons with the headlights turned off) to a legible level combined with the larger character set. Perhaps there is a way to increase the intensity or polarity of the stereo display I couldn't find in the manual??

Yes, the lighting is terrible - especially if you drive with your headlamps on during a daytime snow/rainstorm. I wish it would stay as bright with your lights on as it does with your lights off. If this is a dealer setting, I will make sure they fix this on my first oil change.

 

[Jed]

Yes, the lighting is terrible - especially if you drive with your headlamps on during a daytime snow/rainstorm. I wish it would stay as bright with your lights on as it does with your lights off. If this is a dealer setting, I will make sure they fix this on my first oil change.

It is incredible to me that manufacturers still make this kind of design mistake. Don't they pick up on this kind of thing when their test drivers are doing their "real world" testing prior to manufacturing the vehicles? I've read other people complain about it as well, so it's not like a big secret or anything.

When the 4th gen first came out, people complained that the instruments were hard to see during the day time, so they quickly changed the instrument lighting to be on whenever the engine is running. Maybe Toyota can make the stereo display default to a brighter setting even if the headlights are on during the day time?

 

[ckon]

Yes, the lighting is terrible - especially if you drive with your headlamps on during a daytime snow/rainstorm. I wish it would stay as bright with your lights on as it does with your lights off. If this is a dealer setting, I will make sure they fix this on my first oil change.

Lights on, wearing polarized glasses makes it impossible to see them in the daylight. The dealer can't increase the brightness enough to solve the problem, so I've just kinda gotten used to it, though I don't like it.

It's really odd that turning the light dimmer switch to maximum doesn't increase the brightness of that display like it does the main display.

 

[McGruder]

Those settings can be changed at the dealer, according to the manual.

The only thing I can find in this regard is an adjustment to the amount of ambient light to trigger the increase or decreases brightness (determine day/night). It would not enable the display to be any brighter than it already displays at full console brightness at night time - just when night time mode kicks in.

 

[McGruder]

It is incredible to me that manufacturers still make this kind of design mistake. Don't they pick up on this kind of thing when their test drivers are doing their "real world" testing prior to manufacturing the vehicles? I've read other people complain about it as well, so it's not like a big secret or anything.

When the 4th gen first came out, people complained that the instruments were hard to see during the day time, so they quickly changed the instrument lighting to be on whenever the engine is running. Maybe Toyota can make the stereo display default to a brighter setting even if the headlights are on during the day time?

Jed - Yes, this is my finding as well. The headlights must be turned off in order for full brightness to be achieved. If you run headlights during the day, the visibility of the stereo display is severely compromised.

There should be a way to achieve the highest brightness level even if you have the headlights on.

 

[ckon]

there should be a way to achieve the highest brightness level even if you have the headlights on.

agreed!!!

 

[ckon]

There should be a way to achieve the highest brightness level even if you have the headlights on.

Has anyone heard of a solution to this problem, yet? A TSB perhaps? I've got a visit to the dealer coming up and would like to be able to steer the tech toward a Toyota solution to the problem. TIA

 

[philsey]

Wow! This topic is right on. I've changed my driving style enough to have gotten used to brake dive, but THIS, this damnable unreadable display is a constant annoyance and inconvenience.

Unacceptable in this level of vehicle...

I would dearly love to find a solution ... I'd even pay for it.

 

[philsey]

OK, slight topic drift, but along the same line:

The radio face panel also glares, making it even harder to read.

Is there such a thing as a "polorized film, or coating" to help this? ...or will it just exacerbate the problem...

 

[453030]

Wow! This topic is right on. I've changed my driving style enough to have gotten used to brake dive, but THIS, this damnable unreadable display is a constant annoyance and inconvenience.

My first observation after starting a Trail for the first time for a test drive was that I could barely read the stereo display. I changed my position, toggled my sunglasses on and off; nothing worked to an acceptable level for my tastes. I am past the days of after market stereo gear, so I just ordered the NAV/JBL package to be done. No way I could live with that orange display.

 

[ckon]

I am past the days of after market stereo gear, so I just ordered the NAV/JBL package to be done. No way I could live with that orange display.

I HAVE the NAV/JBL and it's terrible! I take it that nobody's found a solution?

 

[sandcrawler]

I HAVE the NAV/JBL and it's terrible! I take it that nobody's found a solution?

"terrible" as in hard to read the display? my Nav display is perfectly clear even with polarized sunnies on... :shrug:

 

[453030]

I HAVE the NAV/JBL and it's terrible! I take it that nobody's found a solution?

It will be fine for me. Looks great too. The aftermarket trim kit is not my cup of tea. But if you want a solution just go to any car install place. For 2-3K you could have an incredible audio system, or just a new head unit for much less.

 

[ckon]

"terrible" as in hard to read the display? my Nav display is perfectly clear even with polarized sunnies on... :shrug:

It's not the nav - it's the display panels above and below the nav.

 

[westwind77]

OK, slight topic drift, but along the same line:

The radio face panel also glares, making it even harder to read.

Is there such a thing as a "polorized film, or coating" to help this? ...or will it just exacerbate the problem...

I have resorted to buying a pair of non-polorized sunglasses when driving :redbrick: so I can see the display on the stereo. I look over and see black with my polorized glasses, take them off and see bright orange, had to switch. Maybe people in Japan do not wear polorized glasses???

Not sure if any of you realize, but laptop screens are affected the same way the 4R stock stereo display is with polorized glasses. Try it, put your sunglasses on, tilt your head sideways (left & right) while looking at the screen straight on and it will go totally black. With my Sony and Oakleys it happens with the head tilted to the left, all depends which direction the polorizations runs on your particular glasses.

 

[ckon]

The problem is that these screens are very difficult to see even without polarized glasses. They're way too dim when the headlights are on during the day.

 

[westwind77]

The problem is that these screens are very difficult to see even without polarized glasses. They're way too dim when the headlights are on during the day.

Besides when it rains, when do you run your lights during the day? If you live in an areas that does not see much rain, or reason to run them during the day, it seems to be less of an issue.

 

[1000MPH]

I'm unhappy with this display also. I find myself constantly wiping it thinking it's covered in dust. What's the point of steering wheel controls if you can't see what channel you're on?
Can't you get 500 different colors on the ford focus display? I'd be happy with 2.