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Dashboard information - good or not ?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by mahout, Apr 16, 2013.

  1. mahout

    mahout Active Member

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    I 've had responsibility for numerous dashboards in vehicles and I wonder how many Prius C drivers like or want better/informative information than Toyota chose. Here's my list to start for comment, addition or modification:
    1. The speedomater and fuel gage are good, right size and location.
    2. The supplemental information is overloaded with stuff that doesn't matter and is too small.
    It needs only the trip/total mileage, mpg, and clock. All need to be double in size and stroke. I used to have to remind my young designers every day that not all of the drivers would be under 30 and visual identification in 1 second is crucial for all drivers.
    3. Instead, red lighted bars for engine problem(s), oil pressure, and the cruise control on/set indicator can fit easily and be larger as well. If its not identified in one second by 9 of 10 65 yr old driveers its incorrect.
    4. All HVAC controls, such as fan, flow control, and rear window defrost can be on the side and bottom. the flow cntrol MUST be much larger; again 1 second identification required. Additionally, they should be able to be operated with a driver wearing winter gloves.
    5. All controls that are 'twisted' to select position must have dimples or otherwise so that the position is dtermined by feel. That goes for the temperature set as well as the HVAC flow selction. Those tiny and dim little readouts are a waste of money and engineering time. likewise, to operating with gloved hands and not requiring looking at to set.
    6. Why does thed cruise control lever have to a separate stalk. Why not an on-off switch so its either on ort off when you drive the car; only speed select, increase/decrease is necessary to the driver.
    7. The display needs to be brighter when max is selecxted on the thumbwheel.
    8. Here's one that will be cheered but hated: When the vehicle is operating, that is, speedometer reading more than 2 mph, the cell phone connection disengages for any outgoing calls except 911.
    I'm always entertained by my discussions with young people who invariably agrre that texting or conversation by phone while driving ought not to be allowed, they rebel strongly when its pointed out that current cell phone technology could cut off all but 911 cals when the towers detect movement from one tower to the next. A law is OK but tech enforcement isn't. Its stunning how quickly theur opinon changes. I watched one bad wreck caused by a driver coming toward our locatuion texting hard. We could only see the top of his head. He smashed into the back of a car stopped to turn left into her driveway and knocked her car into the path of an oncoming van. THe two cars were totalled, the truck was well damaged, and 2 people went to the hospital.
    Your opinion is welcomed., especially if you like the existing dash.
    Tally-ho !
     
  2. Jake123

    Jake123 Junior Member

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    We have owned our Prius C for about 1 month and we have come up with the following:
    1. While HVAC fan is turned off, I want to be able to change the temperature. Air still gets through the vents when the fan is off, which is great but in order to make that tiny bit of air hot or cold, I need to turn the fan on low, turn the round temp dial, then turn the fan back off.
    2. At end of trip, the mpg and price shown for the trip is great, but I would also like to see how many gallons of gas I used.
     
  3. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    The reason they don't turn cell phones off by movement more than 2 mph is an easy one. There's these things called passengers that would be rightfully bored.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all good suggestions, even for us non c owners!(y)
     
  5. john roman

    john roman Junior Member

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    id settle for the info to be accurate.
     
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  6. Jake123

    Jake123 Junior Member

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    Also, I'd like the outside temperature to be shown somewhere all the time (not just on a specific screen).
     
  7. Rob.au

    Rob.au Active Member

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    I understand what you are saying here, but I don't agree with it being applied as a rule. This is especially so when the main elements you are applying this to are on the MFD and therefore do not need to be a one size fits all arrangement.

    The majority of drivers of this vehicle will still be south of 65. I'm roughly (*ahem*) in the region of half that age and generally I'm very very happy with the size and nature of information on the dash.

    I agree with your comments on speedo and fuel gague, but in this vehicle the HSD is quite significant and the way it is displayed in the c is both more readable and appealing than in the v and liftback in my opinion. The c already does have the option - if you want it - of removing all information on the screen other than the top line (ie. clock, mpg and trip meter), but when you do this it leaves the rest of the display blank. I don't think there would be anything wrong with this mode making better use of the space and making this remaining data larger. That simple change would be the best of both worlds and I suspect leave us both satisfied with the result.

    With respect to the cruise control stalk, Toyota has kept to what seems to be a very standard arrangement - every cruise control I've ever used has had identical functions. That doesn't mean it can't be improved, but there's a lot to be said for consistancy. I do use all of its functions, mostly just Set, Resume and Cancel, but sometimes also speed increase and decrease.

    I'm in two minds about this... I got used to just lightly touching the fresh air/recirc control button on the steering wheel when I want the temperature.
     
  8. mahout

    mahout Active Member

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    Good point about controlling temp when the fan is off; however, I also wonder if it isn't. When I change the temp 'wheel' the incoming air seems to change to approximate temp - cooler or warmer.
    2. Interesting. I fill up at the end of my trip and the gallons are there; If I divide the trip mileage by the mpg I get the gallons that refill should need. Unfortunately. thats often wrong simply because refilling is a variable as the 'end' point is difficult to hit every refill.
     
  9. mahout

    mahout Active Member

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  10. mahout

    mahout Active Member

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    Considering the difficulty accurately sensing the attributes of speed, distance, and gas level, for accuracy within 1% means adding $5,000 to the cosrt of your Prius. Getting speed with 2% is very good, likewise distance but gas level within 5% is good.
     
  11. Joseph Rams

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    Then why do so many posts complain that MPGs are overestimated? You should get an even mixture of members indicating over and underestimated mileage. I see about 5 MPGs less than the computer states after fill-ups. The measurement is very accurate, but seems set to make me believe I'm getting better mileage than I really am.
     
  12. Rob.au

    Rob.au Active Member

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    I have to strongly disagree with you here. Firstly I didn't dispute the 1 second recognition, but the point is that 1-second recognition is different for different people. I have that for everything on the dash now. I do not need or want things removed - this requirement is already achieved.

    The point I was making here is that the what you are saying is how things used to be... where the dash had to be one size fits all - it could only display things one way and that had to cater to as wide a range of users as possible. Sure.

    With the Prius c having a MFD screen, this kind of logic is no longer applicable and is - in my view - bad. The dash displays are now flexible and can adapt to meet the needs of different users. This is a good thing... but this now means that if you are suggesting that you only want to allow the design to occur in one way such that almost all users fit into a one size fits all dash, you are now achieving the opposite effect - you are not catering to people who are comfortable and attuned to having more input.

    I'm sorry, but your post comes across to me as "Sheesh all those young drivers, texting away, no wonder they are having crashes... texting culture is so bad, let's clear the dash" and that last step in the flow is not logical to me. Yes, drivers doing something else in the vehicle not related to driving is terrible, but that's got nothing to do with this. Please do flesh out your view if I'm getting this wrong.

    I have to apologise - I wrote HSD when I meant HSI. HSI is the hybrid synergy indicator and is a very significant part of the Prius' communication with the driver about what it is doing. As I said in my earlier post, it is so significant that in the liftback Prii with the head-up display function (which shows critical information into the windscreen such that it reflects towards the driver closer to their main field of view), the HSI is one of the very few items that can be displayed in that manner. Basically the information that can be displayed via the HUD are speed, turn information from the GPS and the HSI. Some people might see the HSI as a kind of tachometer, but it really isn't that at all.

    This is what the HSI looks like on the c:

    http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/06/Prius-c-mpg-550x412.jpg
    http://priuschat.com/attachments/hybrid-system-indicator-jpg.40530/


    As an aside, this an example of the HUD display in a liftback Prius, showing speed and HSI:

    http://priuschat.com/images/prius_hud_opt.png

    MFD stands for multi-function display and is a large part of what we are discussing here. MFD is what it is called, calling it that doesn't mean I drive along in my car cycling through screens. I guess you haven't read many of my previous posts, but it's probably self-evident by now from this post that the selection I use at all times is the one with the HSI on it. I'm intruiged to know if this is the display you consider appropriate for driving or if it's one you consider "cute electronics".

    Well this is just incorrect.

    http://media.caranddriver.com/images/11q3/410468/2012-mclaren-mp4-12c-cruise-control-stalk-photo-410884-s-1280x782.jpg
    http://media.caranddriver.com/images/10q3/360984/2011-scion-tc-cruise-control-stalk-photo-361004-s-1280x782.jpg
    http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/65793/2006-porsche-cayman-s-cruise-control-stalk-photo-67594-s-1280x782.jpg
    http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/0/EC0286ED947D8823CA256B27001B2293/$file/2001.10.15_con_Holden_AcclaimVXII.JPG?OpenElement
    http://cdn.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ford-pk-ranger-cruise-control-625x415.jpg

    I've never heard of putting cruise onto the wiper stalk and that is a terrible idea in my opinion. I can see there is a trend with some manufacturers to get rid of the stalk and plaster yet more buttons over the steering wheel, but I don't like this. I can currently operate my cruise control with one finger without removing my hand from holding the wheel - that's how it should be in my view.

    I also don't see how self-arming cruise controls are a good thing - that doesn't sound safe.

    Out of interest - what sort of car do you drive? Your profile just says "Other Hybrid".
     
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  13. mahout

    mahout Active Member

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    Its easier to name the brands I haven't owned: SAAB, Lincoln, the exotics, though I've instructed in many of them.
    I do look forward to instruct a student in a current McLaren.
    Ive owned four hybrids, 3 Civics and one Insight before the Prius.

     
  14. Rob.au

    Rob.au Active Member

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    Not sure why you are still arguing about 1 second recognition when it is not in dispute, although your insistence of what you believe is included and not included and what is important and not important appear to be set in stone and not open for discussion. That's disappointing, because that's the best way to improve one's understanding, but as that seems to be your choice there's not much point me continuing. I'll sadly bow out of this thread here.
     
  15. oberkc

    oberkc Junior Member

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    This is an interesting topic to me. In fact, the Prius displays (not necessarily the controls) are a primary gripe of mine.

    a) I find the fuel quantity display to be too easy to ignore. It should be larger/more prominent/color change...something that catches my attention. Never before have I had a car where i was so unaware of fuel quantity. That beep sound always catches me by surprise.
    b) Accuracy. Reported MPG is CONSITENTLY higher than actual. I suspect this is intentional.
    c) Color screen showing vehicle info. This is not as useful as it should be. I loved the displays in my original honda insight (best of any car I have ever had). It told me speed, RPM, engine temp, assist/regen, and instantaneous MPG (it was even accurate!). Add to this a display showing whether one is in all-electric mode (insight had no such mode) and this would constitute what I want to maximize efficiency. Unfortunately, there is no single screen in the Prius that shows all this. One has to toggle through various screens to get everything, with each showing things that are unimportant, and none showing ALL that IS important. If I could bring over my insight displays into the Prius, I would do so without hesitation.
    d) a little brighter illumination of the steering-wheel controls.

    I find no glaring problems with the controls. While I might prefer differences, there is nothing to which I have had any trouble adapting



    I disagree with this statement. I find up to three of the screens that provide useful data for driving. Once screen shows instantaneous MPG (among other less useful things). Another screen shows battery status/charge/assist/electric mode. A third screen show range remaining on existing fuel quantity. Unfortunately, there is not single screen showing all these things.
     
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  16. oberkc

    oberkc Junior Member

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    While I understand your motivation for this opinion, Is suspect this will, in the end, be counterproductive. People WILL use their phone while driving. If you disconnect bluetooth when moving, they will simply use the phone directly. Ultimately, I believe disabling bluetooth when moving will be LESS safe.
     
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  17. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    As for your screens. You can have these all on at the same time, just through your radio. I see you have a 3. If you hit the car button, it will show your instant mpgs while also showing your range remaining. Then just have the dash display showing your EV gauge.

    The steering-wheel controls shouldn't ever need to be looked at on your 3. That's what the touch tracer is for. It will show up on the dash. You just need to touch the buttons, don't have to push them.
     
  18. oberkc

    oberkc Junior Member

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    .​


    Thanks. I will check out the audio system displays. When I looked through that originally, I was not impressed, and have left it on the radio display exclusively since.



    Well, maybe they "shouldn't" but this is what I find myself doing too often. But, I will work harder at training myself. On the other hand, if that is the designer's expectation, why are they lit at all? Or labeled? Hopefully, I can break the habit.
     
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  19. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    Just hit the button that says car.
     
  20. oberkc

    oberkc Junior Member

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    Yes, I am familiar with the "car" button. I did not remember that it had multiple views.

    I tried the gas mileage view. No good for me. It needs to be closer to my front view, else it is too distracting to look so far away. In my 12 years with the insight, I relied on instantaneous mileage as a tool to affect my driving methods and I see no reason why the same methods would nor work on the prius.. Being so far away from my primary displays makes it less useful for this.