Defroster buttons are backwards for me (photos)

[cybele]

I hadn't noticed it before, because I haven't really needed the defroster much until it started raining a lot this past week ... but the defroster buttons are out of order on the steering wheel (for me).

At first I was having trouble telling which one was which, and I thought that was just my own fault for not figuring it out. I like to use the buttons on the steering wheel and not the screen because they're easier to access and I don't like to lean forward while driving.

Then I noticed that the buttons on the steering wheel aren't in the same order as they are on the display on the dash and the climate control screen:

The Steering Wheel - showing rear (square) and then front (curved):


The Climate Control Screen - shows front (labeled and curved) and then back (labeled and square):


The Dash - shows front (curved) and then back (square):


I know it's not a big deal, but I think this helps me to understand why I was having trouble knowing which was which. I know that the buttons must go clockwise on the steering wheel, but because the little pictogram of the car is just above the buttons, I assumed for a while that they matched up with the front and back of the car, as they were kind of under them.

I recognize that this may be only be my misunderstanding. I'm left-handed and often get things backwards as a result. I was kind of curious to know if anyone else had this trouble.

[Danny]

Cyeble, when did you get that new holographic dash option??

Good pics, by the way.

[rockluvr]

I also found it confusing at first - not real intuitive. I'm used to it now.

[joleta]

I haven't had to use the defroster yet, as I've only had my 04 for one day, but it's driving me crazy that I have to move the joystick upward to put it in reverse, and down to put it into drive. Does this mess with anyone else's mind?

Barbara

[daniel]

I can never figure out the defrost buttons on the steering wheel. There really is no positional clue because they are at an angle to each other. I wish they'd say F and R. But then European cars would have to be different.

The transaxle joystick does not bother me: the positions correspond exactly to the display next to the speedometer.

[rockluvr]

The positions of the joystick seemed odd to me at first also. I felt the same way that D and R should have been reversed, but now it is Ok. Just something else that you get used to - hint use the visual on the dashboard viewer as your guide instead of looking down at the shifter - somehow I find that is it easier that way.

[Astroprius]

Originally posted by rockluvr
I also found it confusing at first - not real intuitive.  I'm used to it now.

I think I've figured out the covention Toyota uses for the steering controls: Up (temperature, volume, front defroster) are all on raised bumps; Down (temp, volume, rear defroster) are all on buttons with the depression (crater?).

It would have been nice to have this scheme also on the track/station controls.

[bruceha_2000]

Originally posted by joleta
I haven't had to use the defroster yet, as I've only had my 04 for one day, but it's driving me crazy that I have to move the joystick upward to put it in reverse, and down to put it into drive. Does this mess with anyone else's mind?

Barbara

Not that I have one, but yes, when I first saw the pictures I thought it was really odd as I mentally rotated it to an "on the floor" manual and every one I have ever driven had 1st keft and up and reverse right and back.
I posted on Yahoo and got these 2 type of responses:
1) Mentally rotate it to the ceiling, then forward is drive and backward is reverse and all is fine with the world again :-)
2) Many cars ( racers I gather ) have manual transmissions with reverse being left and forward, 1st gear left and back. So it is a matter of one's prior experience.

[cybele]

Originally posted by Astroprius
I think I've figured out the covention Toyota uses for the steering controls: Up (temperature, volume, front defroster) are all on raised bumps; Down (temp, volume, rear defroster) are all on buttons with the depression (crater?).

That's a very helpful observation. It helps to have some clue as to the "code" for these things.

Thanks!

[Bob Allen]

Originally posted by Astroprius+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Astroprius)</div>

I think I've figured out the covention Toyota uses for the steering controls: Up (temperature, volume, front defroster) are all on raised bumps; Down (temp, volume, rear defroster) are all on buttons with the depression (crater?).

It would have been nice to have this scheme also on the track/station controls.[/b]

This is for blind drivers?