Hop into a Scion (or Toyota, for that matter) and you'll typically find most controls easy to use. But our xB has one annoying misstep -- the trip computer button. Instead of being located on the easily-reached center stack (as in a Ford or GM product), it's next to the trip meter button within the instrument cluster, requiring you to awkwardly reach over the steering wheel to prod with your finger.
Not cool for something you might want to toggle through to see what the outside temp is, what your average mileage is or how many miles you've got left in the tank. Chalk one up for the American car makers here.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 29,290 miles
phybenz says:
11:16 AM, 10/ 6/08
Do you have a right arm?
carmizvi says:
12:05 PM, 10/ 6/08
Yet another center-mounted instrument panel bit of silliness.
On the bright side, it makes it easier/cheaper for them to sell the same vehicle into multiple global markets. So a little ergonomic sacrifice in the name of world peace and togetherness isn't such a bad thing, now, is it?
(And since we're cheering the Americans, I have to give kudos where kudos are due: I rented a Chevy Cobalt a couple of weeks ago, and the button to cycle the multifunction display - including trip odometer, tire pressure, instant fuel economy, average fuel economy etc. - was right on the steering wheel. Nicely done, GM.)
johnnyturbo says:
12:26 PM, 10/ 6/08
No, and before my gig here, I was the drummer for Def Leppard.
Seriously, I do and thanks for asking. But it was easier to point out the offending button with the left (hence the post's title "Pointing Fingers").
Either way, lefty or righty, it's a hassle to use compared to a center stack- or steering wheel-mounted location.
carmizvi says:
03:28 PM, 10/ 6/08
Oops, almost forgot...
phybenz: Have you ever tried to take a picture with a camera with your left hand? Can't be done, as they're all oriented for righties. John was likely shooting solo here, using one arm for illustration purposes and the other one to shoot.
My southpaw wife and son would be happy to explain how all this works.
banhugh says:
05:16 PM, 10/ 6/08
this is intentional.
The more hard to reach, the less times you will press the button.
The less times to press the button, the more it will last.
the_big_al says:
05:57 PM, 10/ 6/08
ha! And the last time I remember, GM was being dogged for taking the trip/info button off the speedo display!
billt9 says:
09:23 PM, 10/ 6/08
I can take camera pictures with my left hand. It takes years of rigorous dexterity training in the mountains to do this. Don't try this at home.
1487 says:
07:57 AM, 10/ 7/08
my parents '86 chevy had this type of reset for the trip odometer. Real state of the art stuff. One thing we know about Toyota is that they will not adopt ideas developed by other automakers. The Toyota way is always the best way in their minds.
bankerdanny says:
09:35 AM, 10/ 7/08
I would have to sit in one to say this for certain, but based on your picture I'm not sure why the position is so bad. The button is still centered. Why is high on the dash better than low?
You raise your right hand and push the button. It's in your line of sight, so you you don't have to look away from the road to locate the button, which strikes me as better than locating the button down on the center stack.
Is the issue the length of reach? Do you have to lean forward, or can you reach the button from a normal sitting position?
johnnyturbo says:
10:48 AM, 10/ 7/08
bankerdanny,
Yes, it is a bit of a reach, as that instrument cluster is set back. And it's like trying to press the button on the top of a pen. If it were a larger button that was located closer, say just to the left of that round vent, it'd be easier to use.
With our long-term Focus, I know where the button on the center stack is without having to look at it, having driven the car enough.
But the best location is on the steering wheel, as carmizvi saw on the Chevy Cobalt he rented.
bankerdanny says:
12:32 PM, 10/ 7/08
I agree, steering controls are great.
Although none of the cars I have owned had steering based controls for anything but cruise. The rentals I have driven with them (including some GM with the computer controls) are great. Very convenient.