Mystery Steering Wheel Button

[BassaJay]

On the current model, immediately beneath the display button on the steering wheel's right hand side, is a blank button. In the owner's manual on pages 226/227 it refers to this as being the speech audio command button for car's that have sat. nav. It appears to me that this button is actually blanked off on all grades of the current model.

My question is which model is this inaccurate and misleading information in the owner's manual referring to?

Any ideas?

[matty2767]

maybe it gets enabled if you buy a certain option pack. ?????

i have a tr and it isnt there on mine

[BassaJay]

maybe it gets enabled if you buy a certain option pack. ?????

i have a tr and it isnt there on mine

In the current brochure the pictures of all grades from T2 up to the T180 show this button as being blanked off. With my car, I requested steering wheel controlled bluetooth HFT for which I expected this blanked out button to be used for. Regardless of grade on the current model, steering wheel button controlled bluetooth HFT is not available.

When this button is not blanked off but active, according to the owner's manual, it appears it only enable voice commands for the car's audio system - but to which model, certainly none of the current UK ones?

The mystery continues.

[HurricaneCharlie]

The Avensis manual (2006 model) states "The speech command system allows you to operate the audio system with your voice" - page 227.

The Command list - page 228 - only shows commands relating to radio, cd etc.

Lastly, the diagram on page 226 clearly shows a raised display (ie colour upgrade) on the centre console.

I don't have the colour display, but would suspect the button only came with this - can anyone confirm?

[BassaJay]

The Avensis manual (2006 model) states "The speech command system allows you to operate the audio system with your voice" - page 227.

The Command list - page 228 - only shows commands relating to radio, cd etc.

Lastly, the diagram on page 226 clearly shows a raised display (ie colour upgrade) on the centre console.

I don't have the colour display, but would suspect the button only came with this - can anyone confirm?

I have a 2007 model which has the full map colour display but the 'mystery button' position is blanked off. This is the case regardless of grade from T2 to T180 if the current brochure is to be believed.

So to which model is the owner's manual referring to on pages 226 - 231? All very strange.

Another anomaly regarding availability concerns the bluetooth voice activated steering wheel controlled hands free telephone. I have been informed both by my dealership & TCR that this system is not available on the current Avensis. However, the current brochure's accessory section on page 05 reads, quote " For bluetooth phone owners the advanced Toyota bluetooth system features comprehensive voice recognition capabilities. The system links through steering wheel mounted switches on your car's steering wheel"

This is accompanied by a picture showing the buttons on the left hand side of the steering wheel. These, of course, are the buttons for the non voice activated audio system and the opposite side to the 'mystery button'

It appears now that we have not only one but two steering wheel button/s related mysteries waiting to be solved. Hmm.

[HurricaneCharlie]

I have a 2007 model which has the full map colour display but the 'mystery button' position is blanked off. This is the case regardless of grade from T2 to T180 if the current brochure is to be believed.

So to which model is the owner's manual referring to on pages 226 - 231? All very strange.

Another anomaly regarding availability concerns the Bluetooth voice activated steering wheel controlled hands free telephone. I have been informed both by my dealership & TCR that this system is not available on the current Avensis. However, the current brochure's accessory section on page 05 reads, quote " For Bluetooth phone owners the advanced Toyota Bluetooth system features comprehensive voice recognition capabilities. The system links through steering wheel mounted switches on your car's steering wheel"

This is accompanied by a picture showing the buttons on the left hand side of the steering wheel. These, of course, are the buttons for the non voice activated audio system and the opposite side to the 'mystery button'

It appears now that we have not only one but two steering wheel button/s related mysteries waiting to be solved. Hmm.

There was an update to the stereo / sat-nav round about April 2007.

The older options were either a slim black&white LCD panel on the main console (See this link - http://fullscreen.r66.co.uk/?Theme=Toyota&...ltImage=Toyota), or a colour option in the central pop-up area - where your CDs probably go (Can't find one of those).

The current option is a large colour touch screen situated on the main panel. (See this one - http://fullscreen.r66.co.uk/?Theme=Toyota&...ltImage=Toyota)

Hmmm, looking, looking, looking - AHA! http://fullscreen.r66.co.uk/?Theme=Toyota&...ultImage=Toyota shows a colour upgrade and, if you maximise the image, I think you'll just see the mystery button!!! It still has the normal audio buttons on the left though.

To answer the question about Hands-Free Telephone, Look at this one http://fullscreen.r66.co.uk/?Theme=Toyota&...ultImage=Toyota

HFT is the small silver module fitted onto the console directly to the left of the steering wheel.

Well, I hope this answers a few questions, but I suspect it will create many more!

[BassaJay]

I have a 2007 model which has the full map colour display but the 'mystery button' position is blanked off. This is the case regardless of grade from T2 to T180 if the current brochure is to be believed.

So to which model is the owner's manual referring to on pages 226 - 231? All very strange.

Another anomaly regarding availability concerns the Bluetooth voice activated steering wheel controlled hands free telephone. I have been informed both by my dealership & TCR that this system is not available on the current Avensis. However, the current brochure's accessory section on page 05 reads, quote " For Bluetooth phone owners the advanced Toyota Bluetooth system features comprehensive voice recognition capabilities. The system links through steering wheel mounted switches on your car's steering wheel"

This is accompanied by a picture showing the buttons on the left hand side of the steering wheel. These, of course, are the buttons for the non voice activated audio system and the opposite side to the 'mystery button'

It appears now that we have not only one but two steering wheel button/s related mysteries waiting to be solved. Hmm.

There was an update to the stereo / sat-nav round about April 2007.

The older options were either a slim black&white LCD panel on the main console (See this link - http://fullscreen.r66.co.uk/?Theme=Toyota&...ltImage=Toyota), or a colour option in the central pop-up area - where your CDs probably go (Can't find one of those).

The current option is a large colour touch screen situated on the main panel. (See this one - nhttp://fullscreen.r66.co.uk/?Theme=Toyota&...ltImage=Toyota)

Hmmm, looking, looking, looking - AHA! http://fullscreen.r66.co.uk/?Theme=Toyota&...ultImage=Toyota shows a colour upgrade and, if you maximise the image, I think you'll just see the mystery button!!! It still has the normal audio buttons on the left though.

To answer the question about Hands-Free Telephone, Look at this one http://fullscreen.r66.co.uk/?Theme=Toyota&...ultImage=Toyota

HFT is the small silver module fitted onto the console directly to the left of the steering wheel.

Well, I hope this answers a few questions, but I suspect it will create many more!

That must be the answer, the mystery button only applies to the earlier pop up sat nav. Still does not excuse Toyota with their reference to the voice activated button in the owner's manual they supply with the current model though. If no longer available with the current in dash sat nav, as is the case, then they should at least either revise the manual or attach an appropriate addendum.

Again, with the steering wheel voice activated bluetooth HFT, why do they clearly print its availability in the current accessory brochure together with a picture of the current in dash sat nav. ? The separate stick on type key pad receiver, I knew was available but that is not a fully integrated steering wheel button system which the accessory brochure states is available.

All very misleading.