Orange stereo head unit display
- Thread starter McGruder
- Start date
ckon
New member
Yes, it's more of an issue for me because I drive with my lights on virtually all of the time. If other drivers see me 1/100th of a second sooner because my lights make me more visible, I'll take the advantage.
If these lights just brightened and dimmed with all of the other lights in the dash system, I wouldn't have any problem. Too bad they don't.
There are other lights that are under control of the light sensor so they stay at max brightness even though the lights are on (during the day only). Unfortunately, Toyota didn't see fit to include these display brightness levels in the same circuit. It's really just a dumb ergonomic oversight.
Last edited:
westwind77
New member
Yes, it's more of an issue for me because I drive with my lights on virtually all of the time. If other drivers see me 1/100th of a second sooner because my lights make me more visible, I'll take the advantage.
Well, that is why the 4R's have DRL (daytime running lights), no reason to use your actual lights (unless rain). If you are worried about someone not seeing the 4R when 1/100th of a second really counts it is already too late! I hate to say it but sometimes headlights during the day can actually be distracting to other drivers, hence why they make DRL on vehicles now, safely making the vehicle visible to others, but not distracting/dangerous. When it rains obviously it is darker out, cloud cover etc, display is easier to see when the lights are on in that condition. The system was not designed for the extremely over caution driver. Who knows, there seems to be a lot of amazing electrical techs on here, maybe one can find the wire the trips the HU to dim and block it from happing via a switch, that way it will be bright at all times, unless you flip the switch. Much like the mirror video always on mod I saw on here today.
harper7
Senior Member
I was like ckon and just left my headlights on all the time on my last 4runner for extra safety.Hard to tell if it did any good but nobody ever pulled out in front of me .With headlight auto shut off 30 seconds after you shut off the engine it was no big deal.
Since I couldn't see the dim orange instrument lights with the lights on in my 5th Limited I just leave them on "auto" which turns the DRL's on during daylight. I changed the DRL bulbs from the yellow to clears so they are brighter and hopefully more noticeable then yellow.
Since I couldn't see the dim orange instrument lights with the lights on in my 5th Limited I just leave them on "auto" which turns the DRL's on during daylight. I changed the DRL bulbs from the yellow to clears so they are brighter and hopefully more noticeable then yellow.
westwind77
New member
It has to do with the glass on the display in relation to your particular sunglasses, Polarization angles/lines. Linear polarization. Read my post above. One side it will be brighter the other side darker, same with tilting your head side to side with your glasses on facing directly at the unit.
alpinedriver
New member
Has anyone had any luck getting the display to be brighter with the headlights on? Has Toyota been able / willing to adjust it to be max brightness?
alpinedriver
New member
I asked the dealership about getting the display brighter (matching the DRL brightness with the lights on). They seemed pretty baffled that I was even bothered by the dimness. Unfortunately they claimed there was no easy way for them to increase the brightness.
Antman
Elite Member
Ahhhhh.
It's on my "list of things to figure out", along with a switch to turn-on all the interior lights at once. I just haven't had the urge to yank my dash apart AGAIN!
Once it gets colder outside I will probably be bored enough to make it work- hopefully!
DannyLlama
Elite Member
SOrry, off topic. I use and love Zenfolio. MChecked out your pictures and was wondering which Antena you are using? Do you like it ?
Rubberdown
New member
Put an pn off switch on the illumination wire for the radio.
WagonMaster67
New member
cant read orange display
i have read a lot of reasons like the glass used, having to get polarized glasses and more. The bottom line is the car is designed by a moron and it was probably never road tested. I got rid of a 1996 ford explored with the cruise control on the wheel and it was lit up, it did not dive down in the front end when breaking, the belt height was not so high that when i pulled into a parking spot i had to open the door to see the white lines. If the wheel was not exactly horizontal i did not have to worry about breaking off the cruise control stick with my right knee when jumping in. I could read all the instruments plainly lights on or off The light and wiper switches were not hidden by the wheel such that i had to memorize how they worked because i couldn't read them while driving and they lit up too. The seats though built in 1996 in 2012 when i sold it to wife's sister were still comfortable not like the toyota that was incredibly uncomfortable on a 300 mile trip. It was terribly painful. with the shift on the column i could stretch my leg and get some circulation but not in the toyota with a huge useless console. If i have to replace the radio i cant imagine having to replace 90% of the dash to do. In short the car is a piece of junk.
i have read a lot of reasons like the glass used, having to get polarized glasses and more. The bottom line is the car is designed by a moron and it was probably never road tested. I got rid of a 1996 ford explored with the cruise control on the wheel and it was lit up, it did not dive down in the front end when breaking, the belt height was not so high that when i pulled into a parking spot i had to open the door to see the white lines. If the wheel was not exactly horizontal i did not have to worry about breaking off the cruise control stick with my right knee when jumping in. I could read all the instruments plainly lights on or off The light and wiper switches were not hidden by the wheel such that i had to memorize how they worked because i couldn't read them while driving and they lit up too. The seats though built in 1996 in 2012 when i sold it to wife's sister were still comfortable not like the toyota that was incredibly uncomfortable on a 300 mile trip. It was terribly painful. with the shift on the column i could stretch my leg and get some circulation but not in the toyota with a huge useless console. If i have to replace the radio i cant imagine having to replace 90% of the dash to do. In short the car is a piece of junk.
sandcrawler
Senior Member
sure sounds like it wasn't.
tamerunner
New member
I guess you could be included in that group of "Morons" who didn't road test it before you bought it. Unfortunate you made such a costly mistake. I would recommend getting your Explorer back and quit your whining.
