by "Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
Published 06/23/2017 at 13:23
by "Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
Published 06/23/2017 at 13:23
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STARS: 1
The press embargo on the 2018 Camry has lifted, and the flood of reviews has hit us. In this time, I came to realize that, rather embarrassingly, I am actually excited about this new Camry and the engine tech it’s debuting. But what truly made me lose my mind was the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel.
I am not lying when I say I audibly gasped when a reviewer
mentioned the cruise buttons placed on the Camry’s steering wheel. The same
cruise control stalk has been a mainstay in every Toyota product for as long as
I have been alive. I do not know when Toyota first implemented the cruise
stalk, but I know it stuck out of the steering wheel loud and proud in my mom’s
green 1992 Camry. We had that car from the time I was born until I was about 12,
but that’s a story for another time.
Fast forward 12 model years, and the same stalk protrudes from
the steering wheel in my ’04 RX330, despite the fact that it is a part of Toyota’s luxury brand. Toyota did get some flak for using the same switchgear in Lexuses, but they continued on the same path. The previous flagship LX570
that was just redesigned for 2016 and starts at almost $90,000 still uses the
same cruise stalk. The same one as the ’92 Camry LE.
But, as it turns out, Lexus had changed even before the new Camry came out. In my frantic research last night, I discovered that the LC actually debuted with steering wheel mounted buttons for the cruise. This seemed to have started the trend for Toyota, as the redesigned LS now uses the same steering wheel buttons.
I will say that I did like the fact that you could get in any Toyota product and know exactly how to work the cruise, but these are still truly exciting times. After over two decades, Toyota is finally getting rid of the cruise control stalk. Hopefully the buttons work as well because we’ll probably be stuck with them for the next 30 years.
"Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom" (will-alib)
06/23/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 5
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Media spin.
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/23/2017 at 13:26, STARS: 1
I loved the stalk! It was simple and functional. The stalk in my new Audi isn’t as obvious with how it should be used - I actually had to read the manual :(.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
06/23/2017 at 13:26, STARS: 3
Thats the saddest thing I’ve heard yet today. Seriously, that stalk is the pinnacle of cruise control design. Its all down hill from here.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
06/23/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 1
but have they stopped using this part?
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
06/23/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 0
but have they stopped using this part?
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/23/2017 at 13:29, STARS: 0
BMW uses a similar cruise control stalk, but it’s on the left below the turn signals, and with suitably unintelligible markings and control logic.
"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
06/23/2017 at 13:31, STARS: 0
I have to agree, it was really well designed. It’s so easy to use, you don’t even have to look at it. It will be missed!
"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
06/23/2017 at 13:31, STARS: 2
Yeah, I’m legitimately disappointed because it was so well designed. You don’t even have to look at the stalk to us it!
"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
06/23/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 0
It looks like they have, at least in Lexuses, amazingly! When my dad had an ‘06 RAV4, I was always entertained by the shared switches. My RX and the RAV4 used that mirror switch and even the same turn signal and wiper stalks.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
06/23/2017 at 13:39, STARS: 0
Nope, but there’s a version with a fold button for the power folding mirrors.
"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
06/23/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 0
Just looking at that stalk confuses me haha! Toyota’s is at least well thought out, but I think stalks are way better than buttons. Once you learn how they work, you can use the cruise without even looking.
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
06/23/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 0
I agree, once I figured out how to use mine it was amazing. its just so intuitive.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
06/23/2017 at 13:46, STARS: 0
Once you learn to use it, there is little reason not to use it all the time.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
06/23/2017 at 13:47, STARS: 0
The buttons work the same way as the stalk though. Push in on the right side to turn on, then down to set.
"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
06/23/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 0
Yes, so at least they’re not changing it too much!
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
06/23/2017 at 14:24, STARS: 0
I actually prefer cruise on a stalk. I’ve had it both ways and both our current vehicles (2004 Envoy/2016 Camry) have it that way. Frees up space for other steering wheel buttons.
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
06/23/2017 at 14:25, STARS: 0
My parents have a 2011 328i and I can never remember how the damn cruise works whenever I drive it.
"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
06/23/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 0
First car I ever drove with one of the cruise stalks was a Mitsubishi. Loved how intuitive it was. I’ve had several cars with that style and I prefer them to the buttons.
The only issue I could see is that you can keep your hands pretty much at 9 and 3 and use the buttons on the wheel spoke, versus having to move your right hand down a bit to use the stalk on some vehicles.
"Probenja" (probenja)
06/23/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 0
Yup, sadly the C-HR got rid of them:
"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
06/23/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 0
I do too. And once you know how to operate the stalk, you can use the cruise without looking, which is really nice.
"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
06/23/2017 at 15:22, STARS: 0
Good point, I never thought about the hands on the wheel. I prefer the stalk too. Once you learn how to operate the stalk, you can use the cruise without looking, which is really nice.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/23/2017 at 15:23, STARS: 1
Basically you pull the stalk towards you to turn it on, then push to accelerate or pull to slow down. Going either up or down cancels. I think the button on the end maybe turns cruise on or off but there’s never any light that’s associated with it, and whenever I’ve gone to turn on cruise it’s just pull the stalk.
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
06/23/2017 at 15:40, STARS: 0
On the interstate yes, on my local 2 lane roads anytime near evening or morning, there are to many deer to use cruise control, takes too long to react. Of course my heavy, size 14 feet could be the issue because I have to have somewhere to rest my feet. Floating my stompers above the brake while cruise control gets tiring quick.
"Mr. Plastics powered by GreyGoose" (greygoose)
06/23/2017 at 15:55, STARS: 1
IQS Scores going to plummet when people get in the car and are like “WTF WHERE IS MY STALK?”