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TundraGeneral discussion forum for the 2007 and later Toyota Tundra.
This is a discussion thread titled "Instrument panel visibility", within the Tundra forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
I have a new Tundra which I like; however, the dash instruments cannot be seen unless the panel lights are turned all the way up (daytime) and then just barely. Is this a common thing with these trucks? Is there a way to change the bulbs to get better visibility or maby add some kind of external light? A white bulb vice the red one will have better daytime visibility. With sunglasses, gauges are impossible to see. Being an ex pilot who flies-drives by the gauges makes for frustrating times.
thanks
jwt
I have a new Tundra which I like; however, the dash instruments cannot be seen unless the panel lights are turned all the way up (daytime) and then just barely. Is this a common thing with these trucks? Is there a way to change the bulbs to get better visibility or maby add some kind of external light? A white bulb vice the red one will have better daytime visibility. With sunglasses, gauges are impossible to see. Being an ex pilot who flies-drives by the gauges makes for frustrating times.
thanks
jwt
Do a search there is a thread on how to change the blubs it could just be you I don't have a issue in the day time.
Make sure you don't have the daylight sensor covered. It's on the dash directly in front of the driver. If you have that covered with a map or something, the truck thinks it's night-time (Limited edition) and dims the display panel, dims the nav screen, and turns the headlights on.
__________________
2007 5.7 CrewMax Limited 2WD; Pyrite Mica/ Red Rock Leather
20" Alloy | Nav-JBL | Moonroof | Sonar | Cold Kit | Daytime Running Lights | BedRug | ConsoleVault | SoftTopper | TRD sway bar | Weatherguard Tool Box
NAV Mods: Speed Pulse Generator | AUX video input
Buy your truck outside of the Gulf States Toyota monopoly if you don't want to compromise.
Thanks for the replies. The sensor is not covered. I assume that the dash lights are supposed to be on all the time; when set to full brightness, the gauges are still hard to see in sunlight; - barely with sun glasses. You mentioned a thread to change bulbs, can you be more specific? Is there any other possible problem (with the car) that I should be looking for. If I take it to the dealer I need to have specific information. Incidently; I also purchased a new Camary and the lvisibility is excellent
Thank you
jw thomas
Thanks for the replies. The sensor is not covered. I assume that the dash lights are supposed to be on all the time; when set to full brightness, the gauges are still hard to see in sunlight; - barely with sun glasses. You mentioned a thread to change bulbs, can you be more specific? Is there any other possible problem (with the car) that I should be looking for. If I take it to the dealer I need to have specific information. Incidently; I also purchased a new Camary and the lvisibility is excellent
Thank you
jw thomas
Something's wrong. The limited gauges are very bright unless the lights are on in the daytime. When you turn on your lights manually, do they dim even more?
__________________
2007 Crewmax Limited - Silver
2.5" OME Front Lift
1" Toytec Block rear w/Bilstein 5100 shocks
20" Moto Metal 956
285/55/R20 Toyo Open Country A/T
Line-X Bed Liner
Undercover Tonneau
Console Vault
Two car seats and a box full of princess toys!
yes - they get dimmer when I turn HL on unless the panel brightness reostat is full up which is where I have to put it to have a hope of seeing the gauges. Is the Limited dash lighted differently?
having driven a Chevrolet for 40 years, I am not sure what the different Toyota models mean.
I have something called an SR 5 CrewMax with a TRD decal on the side
thank you
jwt
yes - they get dimmer when I turn HL on unless the panel brightness reostat is full up which is where I have to put it to have a hope of seeing the gauges. Is the Limited dash lighted differently?
having driven a Chevrolet for 40 years, I am not sure what the different Toyota models mean.
I have something called an SR 5 CrewMax with a TRD decal on the side
thank you
jwt
Oh, ok, the Limited lights are white, bright white. I believe yours are orange??
__________________
2007 Crewmax Limited - Silver
2.5" OME Front Lift
1" Toytec Block rear w/Bilstein 5100 shocks
20" Moto Metal 956
285/55/R20 Toyo Open Country A/T
Line-X Bed Liner
Undercover Tonneau
Console Vault
Two car seats and a box full of princess toys!
Is there any other possible problem (with the car) that I should be looking for.
thats a huge can of worms. some people dont like the orange. some people dont like the "tunnels" the gauges sit in. some people dont like to reach for the radio. some people just dont like anything. seems people didnt look at or drive the thing before they bought it. if u dont like it dont buy it is a good thing to follow. that said, ntohing at all wrong with visibility on my gauges, even with the headlights on in daytime. only the clock w/headlights on in daytime.
as for other "problems" you may encounter with this truck hahha....heres a short list
1. tailgate too thin. wont hold fat azz peopel
2. sheet metal too thin. cant bang into it w/o denting.
3. paint too thin. cant wsah it with a brillo pad w/o scratching.
4. glass too soft. cant hit a rock and it not chip.
5. doest ride like a lexus. it rides so rough it feels like its bouncing even though its a truck haha
6. it gets poor gas mileage. for some reason it wont get same mpg as a corolla
7. interior trim scratches too easily. cant scrape it w/hard stuff w/o scratching.
8. bumpers to thin. cant ram into things or bump poles w/o denting.
9. motor makes motor noises.
theres plenty of other threads on here where people think theres something wrong with their truck....dont fret. they are great trucks. nothign wrong with them just drive and enjoy. and if anyone else wants to contribute to the list above w/more ridiculous topics feel free to.
10.
thats a huge can of worms. some people dont like the orange. some people dont like the "tunnels" the gauges sit in. some people dont like to reach for the radio. some people just dont like anything. seems people didnt look at or drive the thing before they bought it. if u dont like it dont buy it is a good thing to follow. that said, ntohing at all wrong with visibility on my gauges, even with the headlights on in daytime. only the clock w/headlights on in daytime.
as for other "problems" you may encounter with this truck hahha....heres a short list
1. tailgate too thin. wont hold fat azz peopel
2. sheet metal too thin. cant bang into it w/o denting.
3. paint too thin. cant wsah it with a brillo pad w/o scratching.
4. glass too soft. cant hit a rock and it not chip.
5. doest ride like a lexus. it rides so rough it feels like its bouncing even though its a truck haha
6. it gets poor gas mileage. for some reason it wont get same mpg as a corolla
7. interior trim scratches too easily. cant scrape it w/hard stuff w/o scratching.
8. bumpers to thin. cant ram into things or bump poles w/o denting.
9. motor makes motor noises.
theres plenty of other threads on here where people think theres something wrong with their truck....dont fret. they are great trucks. nothign wrong with them just drive and enjoy. and if anyone else wants to contribute to the list above w/more ridiculous topics feel free to.
10.
LMFAO!!!!
__________________
07 Tundra DC TRD 4WD 5.7L Desert Mica
07DCWhiteSR5:
Perhaps I should have purchased from you instead of Toyota of Dallas. I thought this forum was to ask questions about concerns with our vehicles. I was asking about possible issues with the lights that might cause this problem. I have been an engineer for 40 years, a pilot for 20 and ergonomics is one of my specialties, instrument design is another. I purchased because I liked the truck; I don't need a bunch of condenscending comments about my purchasing habits. I believe that there is an issue with the instrument lights as I do not believe that Toyota would build something that works like this one.
jwt
07DCWhiteSR5:
Perhaps I should have purchased from you instead of Toyota of Dallas. I thought this forum was to ask questions about concerns with our vehicles. I was asking about possible issues with the lights that might cause this problem. I have been an engineer for 40 years, a pilot for 20 and ergonomics is one of my specialties, instrument design is another. I purchased because I liked the truck; I don't need a bunch of condenscending comments about my purchasing habits. I believe that there is an issue with the instrument lights as I do not believe that Toyota would build something that works like this one.
jwt
sorry it was taken that way. i was actually not pokin at you i just saw the opportunity to say those things because of what others have posted. thats why i posted on my SR5 my lights are visible wo issues. if yours arent then i'd say you have a problem with the truck that needs to be addressed. i wear sunglasses in mine and see mine just fine. sorry it was takin that i was condescending towards you, it wasnt directed at you.
Why don't you go back to your dealer and look at the dash lights on a new truck similar to yours. Then you'll know if your truck has a problem, or if you may have a problem with your eyes.
Like others who posted, I can see my instruments just fine, day or night. Yes, I wear sunglasses - polarized.
Like others who posted, I can see my instruments just fine, day or night. Yes, I wear sunglasses - polarized.
Same here....go check out a couple other trucks at the dealership and/or ask them to take a look at it for you.
BTW, I wouldn't take a whole lot of what you read here too personally, it's usually just in fun. Another thing you'll discover is that most of 'em can't spell or write too goodly either but you will definitely learn a thing or two about your new truck here. Enjoy your ride.
__________________
2007 Toyota Tundra CrewMax SR5 5.7L w/ TRD Package, Blue Streak Metallic/Graphite, FormulaOne Pinnacle Ceramic Tint (15%), auto-dimming mirror, Line-X Bedliner (under the rail), RS3200 alarm/GBS/hood switch, brushed stainless steel running boards, bed extender, door sill protectors, TRD rear sway bar.
Last edited by slackjaw07; 07-15-2008 at 11:25 PM.
Reason: Add thumbs up.
Instrument panel visibility
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