Is there a quick way to turn off the display screen?

[TopGeek]

I was driving in rain in an unlit residential area this evening and found the display screen to be a real distraction. I desperately needed a quick way to turn the screen off. When I got home, I searched the manuals and this forum but the only method I could find was Settings>System>Display>Display Off. Four steps! Not very practical in difficult driving conditions.

 

[Graham47]

If it’s the (9 inch ?) head unit, without knobs, then press top left (home) button for a few seconds.

 

[IT Troll]

Yep, as Graham said, 1.5 second press turns off the display. A longer 6 second press reboots the system. Page 5 of the manual for the Smart Connect.

 

 

[Ralph H]

The problem with that is it also turns the whole system off. I would like to know if there’s a way to switch the screen off easily but keep the radio playing.

[IT Troll]

It doesn't turn the system completely off, but it does mute playback. It is the quick no distraction mode.

A long press on the steering wheel Mode button is Mute/Unmute. I've not tried it with the screen off though. I suspect it will also turn the screen back on.

[RedToyota]

There is an alternative to turning the screen totally off.

On 9" Smart Connect main screen press the digital time displayed in top right hand corner. This will cause the screen to show a large analogue clock. Much more restful, and less distracting.

[Max_Headroom]

14 hours ago, TopGeek said:

I searched the manuals and this forum but the only method I could find was Settings>System>Display>Display Off. Four steps! Not very practical in difficult driving conditions.

I also find this a bit of a PITA on my MK3 does anyone know a shortcut for my car?

[TopGeek]

Thanks so much guys. I didn't know there is a Smart Connect manual but I do have the 9" screen.

I wouldn't have minded if the whole system was shut down in that situation last night. I just found it difficult to see the road with the screen illuminated.

[Graham47]

It would be worth checking (in settings) if the screen display brightness is set to “light”, “dark” or “auto “ or indeed if it’s set over bright.

[TopGeek]

On 4/2/2023 at 10:30 PM, Graham47 said:

It would be worth checking (in settings) if the screen display brightness is set to “light”, “dark” or “auto “ or indeed if it’s set over bright.

That wasn't the problem but I do still have to tweak the screen settings as well as  a few others.

[TopGeek]

On 4/2/2023 at 11:06 AM, IT Troll said:

It doesn't turn the system completely off, but it does mute playback. It is the quick no distraction mode.

A long press on the steering wheel Mode button is Mute/Unmute. I've not tried it with the screen off though. I suspect it will also turn the screen back on.

Yes, it does turn the screen back on and the media volume to the previous level.