What is your *least fav* 4G feature?

[alpha]

These are all minor, but here goes:
-My front windshield wipers squeak and don't do a great job of cleaning the window (already replaced a few times)
-Can't open or close the windows with the key fob
-Placement of the gas release lever. I don't know about everybody else, but I always fear that I will accidently release the hood and look like an idiot at the gas station! :awais:

I did that a few times. accidentally opened the hood at the gas station.. i'd just play it off and make it look like i was checking my oil and windshield washer fluid when i did it though.. haha.. gotta give it up for those times i wasn't paying attention to which lever i pulled.

my new car opens the windows with the keyfob.. be nice if it did the sunroof too though..

 

[slimjim]

the back seats don't recline, i can't turn on my fog lights with out turning on my head lights, i have to buy a scion head unit to get the 160 watt amplifire, the '06 spoiler has a huge bump on top of it, and i have to take off a large metal plate before i can chage my oil.

 

[Koz]

This is a problem with all Toyota's, the seat belts don't retract all the time (most of the time they need help). The rear lid doesn

 

[atomic punk]

- clear plastic gauge covers scratch too easily
- larger interior handles for opening the doors. You can only fit about 2 fingers in these 3" weenie handles.
- better layout of the center floor console, so I don't have to lean forward to put my drink in the cupholders. Most cars have them where that small, practically useless cavity is at the front of the flip-up part of the console.
- small, practically useless cavity at the front of the flipup part of the console.
- only 12v socket
- designer trash bag costs $30
- doesn't clean itself automatically like my oven does

 

[toybox]

No lights on the Homelink buttons


Double decker cargo thingie....useless.

 

[OUTRNNR]

...and i have to take off a large metal plate before i can chage my oil.

This annoys the sh*t out of me. I could change my oil so much faster if I didn't have this stupid skid plate in my way. I like how they tried to incorporate "hinges" so the skidplate could just swing down and hang there. Well after having that thing fall on me more than once, I just remove it completely. The worst part is trying to get all of the holes lined up when you put it back on. Always seems like I get three of the holes lined up, but the 4th one isn't even close. This is very annoying to me.

The liftgate is heavy, but I find its alot easier to close with one hand from the side. Stand on the left side of the truck, facing the truck, and shut with your right hand (or vice versa for you lefties).

The lock thing did confuse me at first, but now I'm used to it. It doesn't matter if the window switches have lights or not, I couldn't see them at night anyways because they're so horribly placed. And the hill ascent thing gets very annoying if you shift into drive too quickly while backing down a driveway.

And for something that hasn't already been mentioned:

I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE the brake assist feature. I F*CKING DESPISE IT. And I've recently found out how it works too. Driving down the highway during rush hour going about 50, pretty tightly packed, which means I don't have a whole lot of space in front of me, it also means you gotta be quick on your feet to stop if the car in front of you slams on its brakes. So what I do uncontiously when I see the car in front of me begin to slow is hit the brakes very fast but only engaged about 50%. This is the key, rapid engagement because the system recognizes this as an emergency braking situation. The system thinks I'm some 80 pound woman who isn't pushing the brake pedal hard enough, so the system applies full braking power when I'm only depressing the brake pedal 50%!! I hear all 4 tires impending lockup, and the person behind me almost runs into me. What's worse is the system won't disengage until you let completely off the brake. So what I do is let off a little, thinking the system will reset, but when I go to re-apply the brakes, same thing. I must look like a complete idiot when this happens because the 4Runner is lurching all over the road and I'm flying back and forth because I'm not expecting it. Must look very comical from the outside. Has this happened to anyone else?

All that being said, I still love the 4Runner it definitely has some interesting quirks though...

 

[atomic punk]

Double decker cargo thingie....useless.

Love that cargo shelf since I just bought 2 8" bazooka tubes: they fit perfectly under the shelf, and out of sight - right up against the seat backs. Golf bag and spikes go under there too, and I still have the whole shelf up top (almost as big as the floor space) for anything else I gotta transport.

 

[LSUMBA]

I must look like a complete idiot when this happens because the 4Runner is lurching all over the road and I'm flying back and forth because I'm not expecting it. Must look very comical from the outside. Has this happened to anyone else?

Yes...yes it has & I agree that I probably looked quite the fool as well.

 

[Koz]

This annoys the sh*t out of me. I could change my oil so much faster if I didn't have this stupid skid plate in my way. I like how they tried to incorporate "hinges" so the skidplate could just swing down and hang there. Well after having that thing fall on me more than once, I just remove it completely. The worst part is trying to get all of the holes lined up when you put it back on. Always seems like I get three of the holes lined up, but the 4th one isn't even close. This is very annoying to me.


I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE the brake assist feature. I F*CKING DESPISE IT. And I've recently found out how it works too. Driving down the highway during rush hour going about 50, pretty tightly packed, which means I don't have a whole lot of space in front of me, it also means you gotta be quick on your feet to stop if the car in front of you slams on its brakes. So what I do uncontiously when I see the car in front of me begin to slow is hit the brakes very fast but only engaged about 50%. This is the key, rapid engagement because the system recognizes this as an emergency braking situation. The system thinks I'm some 80 pound woman who isn't pushing the brake pedal hard enough, so the system applies full braking power when I'm only depressing the brake pedal 50%!! I hear all 4 tires impending lockup, and the person behind me almost runs into me. What's worse is the system won't disengage until you let completely off the brake. So what I do is let off a little, thinking the system will reset, but when I go to re-apply the brakes, same thing. I must look like a complete idiot when this happens because the 4Runner is lurching all over the road and I'm flying back and forth because I'm not expecting it. Must look very comical from the outside. Has this happened to anyone else?

All that being said, I still love the 4Runner it definitely has some interesting quirks though...

You can add a remote oil filter and mount it under the front bumper and all you have to do is reach behind the front bumper.

The brake assist is doing what it was designed to do. You have to train yourself NOT to hit the brake so quick/fast. It is annoying when you really don't need that much braking but it will be welcomed when you do.

Koz

Koz

 

[leftyrb]

drivers seat rattle
cheap plastic instrument cluster lens
no heated exterior mirrors on the SR 5 model

 

[exokomp]

While I find it very comfortable, I hate everything about the appearance and layout of the interior. I hate the winged look of the center dash, hate the notchy looking faux HVAC knobs (but find them very easy to use), hate the location of the window and mirror controls, hate all the dummy buttons, hate the 4 way passenger seat (pointless), hate the fuel release location (i've also released the hood accidentally a few times), hate the amber dash lights.

If it weren't for the 06 exterior update, I doubt I would have purchased a 4R but I'm glad I did. It drives great, has great power, and it should be far better in the long run than my Jeeps.

 

[nated05]

My only complaint would have to be the sunroof. I love using it, but everytime I open and close it I hear grinding noises and it sounds like it is about to die. Fortunatly it hasnt yet (knock on wood), my previous car was a pontiac GP which had quite a few issues, but I never had a problem with the sunroof.

 

[ThatsRicci]

not much to be desired...

Interesting replies thus far! I've never had a problem with the brake assist feature. As i only activated it once when i was cruising on a 55mph road, and was approaching a RR crossing with a red light, the light turned yellow and i figured i'd just blast through it since i was getting close, but then the RR crossing lights came on and the gates started coming down so i jumped on the brakes. I was thoroughly impressed with how quickly and securely i felt with the vehicle stopping that fast from that speed!!! Personally it was a great first experience with that kind of stopping power. no wheel skid or anything.

Stop TAILGATING on the freeway damnit!!! This causes accidents. utilize the 3 second rule. Or at a minimum the 2 second rule. ( 2-3 seconds behind the car in front of you, gauge by using a market on the road, or side of the road). This of course doesn't stop me from doing the max limit on the highways, and it is in all honestly a lot more comforting for passengers and the likes. As when I am a passenger and the driver is tailgating I can never be comfortable because i trust nobody's reaction time over my own. Arrive Alive


I too am upset that i can't open the side door windows with the key fob, or with the key in the drivers door (like the rear window lowering/raising). Lights on the buttons are nice for other people to see, but drivng it once in the daylight is all i need to be able to locate them in the dark - plus they have raised bumps so i know which button i'm pressing, just like the keyboard you type with.

an AC plus with a ground (3-prong) hole would be great. But i imagine i'll do my own inverter mod for the backseat when I get a dvd/video system for the xbox to be installed

love the new 4runner! so glad i got it!!! sulpher smulfer smell!! When i got all the windows down (back window too) i'm cruising the beach towns and going slow enough for the girls to smile - no sense in blasting by them causing the smell.

 

[tkr128]

The moonroof is cheapy designed. The sunshade is too light, the outside molding warps, it rattles and the auto feature keeps needing to be reset. The whole headliner also feels cheap, the material has no density to it.

I agree with the switches being lit up. I get so disappointed when I get out of my friend's Jetta that has nice blue and orange lighting and every single one of the switches are lit up and into my car.

 

[OUTRNNR]

Re: not much to be desired...

Interesting replies thus far! I've never had a problem with the brake assist feature. As i only activated it once when i was cruising on a 55mph road, and was approaching a RR crossing with a red light, the light turned yellow and i figured i'd just blast through it since i was getting close, but then the RR crossing lights came on and the gates started coming down so i jumped on the brakes. I was thoroughly impressed with how quickly and securely i felt with the vehicle stopping that fast from that speed!!! Personally it was a great first experience with that kind of stopping power. no wheel skid or anything.

Stop TAILGATING on the freeway damnit!!! This causes accidents. utilize the 3 second rule. Or at a minimum the 2 second rule. ( 2-3 seconds behind the car in front of you, gauge by using a market on the road, or side of the road). This of course doesn't stop me from doing the max limit on the highways, and it is in all honestly a lot more comforting for passengers and the likes. As when I am a passenger and the driver is tailgating I can never be comfortable because i trust nobody's reaction time over my own. Arrive Alive

A couple things...

First off, I don't think some of you who *think* you have activated the brake assist feature actually have. There is a difference between having enough strength in your leg to push a brake pedal all the way to the floor and stopping under your own multiplied (by the master cylinder) power, and having this quirky hydraulic brake assist feature kick in. Its very noticible and very unrefined and jumpy. You will feel the brake pedal actually sink under its own power, or at a rate faster than expected followed by clicking (ABS?) coming from under the dash. Trust me, you'll know you've activated it, and I don't think it can be activated by simply braking hard.

Secondly: ThatsRicci, leaving 2-3 seconds of space is impossible on Colorado highways during rushhour. That's just inviting someone from another lane to cut in and fill the void. There's nothing wrong with tailgating during rushhour as long as your smart about it, pay attention to the road and watch the cars in front of the one your following. No need to worry about the person behind you, if they hit you its their fault, not yours...

 

[LSUMBA]

Re: not much to be desired...

Stop TAILGATING on the freeway damnit!!! This causes accidents. utilize the 3 second rule. Or at a minimum the 2 second rule.

Where in God's name do you live that some asshat is not going to jump over & fill in your 2-3 second void as soon as they see it? I agree that tailgating is not a good idea, but if I had to leave a 2 second gap from the car in front of me all the time, I would have to just stop & put my truck in park in the middle of the road here in Atlanta!

 

[HRD2PLZ]

Things I dislike about my 4Runner:

no auto up/down windows for passengers
no illuminated window/mirror switches
unable to close rear window with remote
lack of hatch release from remote
passenger power seat is only 4-way (but, I never sit there so whatever)
sun visors feel cheap (vinyl as opposed to fabric)
inaccuracy of trip computer

 

[alpha]

Re: Re: not much to be desired...

Where in God's name do you live that some asshat is not going to jump over & fill in your 2-3 second void as soon as they see it? I agree that tailgating is not a good idea, but if I had to leave a 2 second gap from the car in front of me all the time, I would have to just stop & put my truck in park in the middle of the road here in Atlanta!

a lot of california drivers don't fill that void actually. at least, from when i lived there, there wasn't a lot of tailgating going around in san diego. it was rare. then i moved to colorado, and i'd have to agree with outrnnr. i don't think tailgating is okay though, but when you get tailgated on the highway by a semi when you're already going 90, it changes your perspectives a bit..

 

[qs933]

Trust me, you'll know you've activated it, and I don't think it can be activated by simply braking hard.

I know I've activated Brake Assist and/or EBD and/or ABS (probably all three in combination) at least once -- I agree, you'll know it when you've activated it, because you'll hear and feel it.

There's nothing wrong with tailgating during rushhour as long as your smart about it...

"Smart tailgating" -- isn't that an oxymoron?

I understand what you're saying, but I disagree that tailgating becomes acceptable because you don't want others cutting in front of you.

On the other hand, I guess if you accept the risk that you may whack the car in front of you, then I guess that's the risk you've chosen to take.

No need to worry about the person behind you, if they hit you its their fault, not yours...

At work, all employees who drive company vehicles have to take a defensive driving course. One of the things they drill on is that regardless of who is technically "at fault," if there was something you could have done to prevent the collision, then you're still in the wrong.

This seemed very harsh, IMHO, but I'm guessing it's to avoid statements like, "it's OK if I put myself in a situation where I'm more likely to get rear-ended because it's the other guy's fault."

 

[coolpop]

Seats are way too uncomfortable on long trips...maybe the 06 has better seats, I don't know. Now, my girlfriend's Tahoe is a POS but the seats are very comfortable.