Impressions After One Week

[Wandering Sagebrush]

In general, I really like the TRD OffRoad. The ride is slightly harsh on the highway, but it has wonderful manners, and handles quite nicely. My last new Toyota was a 1996 T100, so that was 30 years ago.

Where the shock comes in is setting up the dash display. With 3 views, a bunch of various functions, and options for gauge style, I’m somewhat overwhelmed. What button to press, when to press it, and in what direction was frustrating. I was considering digging out an old IBM flowcharting template to help document the process. Holy **** Batman, I’m getting close to 80, and technology has left me behind. My daughters, both in their 50s, have newer Toyotas and said they struggled as well. Maybe it’s not just me.

My impression is the dealers should take a couple of hours to walk buyers through the setup. After the sale, it seems things became a bit disinteresting for them.

Overall, it’s a very nice and capable vehicle that will take me into country I want to fish, hunt, camp, and explore.

Sponsored

 

[HVLA]

Yeah the dash customizations are confusing. There are some good youtube videos out there that help.

You in the high desert?

 

[6thGen1419]

Where the shock comes in is setting up the dash display. With 3 views, a bunch of various functions, and options for gauge style, I’m somewhat overwhelmed. What button to press, when to press it, and in what direction was frustrating. I was considering digging out an old IBM flowcharting template to help document the process. Holy **** Batman, I’m getting close to 80, and technology has left me behind. My daughters, both in their 50s, have newer Toyotas and said they struggled as well. Maybe it’s not just me.

My impression is the dealers should take a couple of hours to walk buyers through the setup. After the sale, it seems things became a bit disinteresting for them.

I'm in the same boat as you on that one. Told my kids when I first got my ORP that I felt like I was learning to fly the Space Shuttle.

 

[Mike N]

I agree YouTube has helpful videos. It's really not difficult once you get the hang of it. You can set up 3 variations for different usages. I have one set up for general driving, one for trailering, and one for off roading.

 

[mfoga]

Go back to dealer and ask them to walk you through things. My dealer asked if needed it I said no. I felt it was pretty easy to figure 95% of it out with a manual or searching Internet. Maybe because I work in IT and always adapting to new tech , maybe because I have drive 30-40 different rental cars a year. My parent's bought a new Lexus and they asked them same thing. I asked what does it include? Because maybe it's easier for them to do it than me but I opted to do it myself mostly because they aren't going to remember it all and I'm getting called so easier for me to it figure it out and be able to talk them through it's again. My parents are in your age range and I'm in your kids age range.

 

[Joestac]

I feel fortunate at times to have lived in both worlds.

I had corded phones growing up, then moved to cordless, had AOL dial-up in 1995. I went off on my bike in the summer and didn't come back until the street lights came on. Though, I also had computers and gaming consoles around the house since my dad was into technology. Now having been in IT professionally for 15 years and been building my own computers for 25. It always came naturally.

However, big part of my job is working with folks who just do not get it, and that is perfectly fine. What I can say is I always appreciate those that are willing to make an effort. I also understand that technology isn't always perfect, far from it usually. Trouble is you cannot escape it anymore.

When I get something new, including this vehicle, I just sit in it and press every button, go through every screen, actually read the manual, and learn anything I possibly can. I tend to obsess and want to ingest as much information as possible. Probably why I spend too much time on this forum.

Glad you are still enjoying the experience.

 

[jblack]

First thing to do is turn off most of the things that start with P
That PDA thing is particularly obnoxious

 

[6thGen1419]

First thing to do is turn off most of the things that start with P
That PDA thing is particularly obnoxious

Disagree. Learn to love PDA.

 

[SouthCoast]

Disagree. Learn to love PDA.

PDA is terrible... I absolutely hate, loathe and despise it

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Yeah the dash customizations are confusing. There are some good youtube videos out there that help.

You in the high desert?

At the base of the Elkhorns.

 

[6thGen1419]

PDA is terrible... I absolutely hate, loathe and despise it

I like PDA

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I feel fortunate at times to have lived in both worlds.

I had corded phones growing up, then moved to cordless, had AOL dial-up in 1995. I went off on my bike in the summer and didn't come back until the street lights came on. Though, I also had computers and gaming consoles around the house since my dad was into technology. Now having been in IT professionally for 15 years and been building my own computers for 25. It always came naturally.

However, big part of my job is working with folks who just do not get it, and that is perfectly fine. What I can say is I always appreciate those that are willing to make an effort. I also understand that technology isn't always perfect, far from it usually. Trouble is you cannot escape it anymore.

When I get something new, including this vehicle, I just sit in it and press every button, go through every screen, actually read the manual, and learn anything I possibly can. I tend to obsess and want to ingest as much information as possible. Probably why I spend too much time on this forum.

Glad you are still enjoying the experience.

I was a C and C++ programmer before going into senior leadership. Moved into C in 1985. Just wish the flow would have been well documented in the operators manual, and the dealership would have been more interested in seeing me get a good start.

 

[Mike N]

Like everything today you just have to get used to the ins and outs of the technology. It's interesting how opinions, likes, and dislikes differ across this forum. It's refreshing to read and consider everyone's views.

 

[6thGen1419]

I was a C and C++ programmer before going into senior leadership. Moved into C in 1985. Just wish the flow would have been well documented in the operators manual, and the dealership would have been more interested in seeing me get a good start.

I have had a long career in systems engineering, systems programming, user interface design, etc.

The owners manual is a fine car owners manual and the multimedia manual is also designed like a car owners manual. The documentation does not at all work as a user interface, users manual.

The user interface on the dash controls and settings is not at all intuitive, IMHO. The Multimedia display is a bit better, but not great.

YouTube videos were more helpful.

 

[horbit]

35 and I work in IT, I spent 30 minutes with the dealer on the tech after purchase and was overwhelmed with its options. All my previous cars were pretty low tech, comparatively.

Sponsored