"Hey, could you change the channel? This is the fifth time in a half-hour I've heard that damned Offspring song."
"Nope, sure can't."
That's because when the light hits just right, the STI's nav screen disappears worse than most others. Credit the black/navy blue background. All those finger prints don't help either.
I also discovered another in the endless list of Subaru quirks when I got into the STI this morning (and it wasn't that I left the lights on). I immediately put the car into reverse and before leaving tried to switch the stereo from AUX to FM 97.1.
"Nope, sure can't."
The physical and touchscreen buttons did nothing. I thought the system was frozen so I turned the car off and on (the age-old electronics trick). That didn't work either. Then I thought maybe the thing wouldn't let you do anything with the nav system while in reverse. Sure enough, that was it. I guess it's to prevent you from backing over a Girl Scout while changing a radio station, but I don't recall experiencing this feature before. Is it common?
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 18,789 miles
carguy622 says:
03:38 PM, 01/27/09
Interesting... I've never tried to change my Acura's touch screen navigation while in reverse. I'm going to check it out now... be right back.
carguy622 says:
03:44 PM, 01/27/09
I'm back... it seems in the Acura you can use the touch screen while in reverse, but I almost hit that Girl Scout!
firstwagon says:
04:55 PM, 01/27/09
What idiot thought it was a good idea to incorporate basic functions of a car into something as user unfriendly as a touchscreen?
cah11705 says:
05:20 PM, 01/27/09
what idiot though using touchscreen for so much was useful?
it's fine for minor things like changing settings, but for changing the radio or a/c it's not very smart thinking...
jriz says:
06:24 PM, 01/27/09
carguy: Thanks for confirming what I suspected about my old TSX.
As for the touchscreen complaints, I hear you. But if they are well-designed, as in the last TSX, it works pretty well. The difference is a larger screen, much larger "buttons" and clearer graphics, as well as complimentary physical buttons and redundant stereo/climate read-outs.
biturbomunkie says:
11:04 PM, 01/27/09
Re changing station: How 'bout using the buttons on the steering wheel? There are also "Seek" and "Track" buttons next to the nav's screen (though I doubt any could be use for preset stations).
Re reverse lock: How long are you gonna drive in reverse? ;P
(Not saying Subaru's sat nav is perfect. e.g. The "list" feature of mp3 is slow and useless.)
zoomzoomn says:
04:27 AM, 01/28/09
My Armada takes the screen hostage in reverse, too. Actually a number of cars that I have been in do the same, escpecially when equipped with backup cameras.
dougtheeng says:
07:13 AM, 01/28/09
The radio stations in Toronto play that song entirely too much as well. I used to like it, but hearing it every day on my drive to and from work, its just too much!
P.S. My biggest problem with the touch NAV is just how gross it gets after people touch it. Are they easy to clean?
carguy622 says:
08:13 AM, 01/28/09
dougtheeng:
Navigation screens are easy to clean in my experience. I keep a hand towel in the glove box to wipe the prints off. If it gets really dirty I use Windex.
rsholland says:
08:14 AM, 01/28/09
Jim, there is a TBS on this issue. I have a SOA PDF on it, and would be happy to email it to you, but I don't have your email address. You can get mine from Scott, Kevin, Ed, Karl, Erin and others.
rsholland says:
08:18 AM, 01/28/09
Jim, I just sent it to Loren. You can get it from him.
rsholland says:
08:24 AM, 01/28/09
The TBS addresses the "reverse" issue, among a number of other things, so I've been told.
stovt001 says:
08:36 AM, 01/28/09
The radio and XM stations I listen to haven't played "You're Gonna Go Far Kid" as much recently. There's always another song just waiting to be overplayed.
jriz says:
09:53 AM, 01/28/09
Who's Jim?
rsholland says:
09:59 AM, 01/28/09
James Riswick. Is that not you?