SR instrument gauges

Question: Are the red needle indicators in the instrument panel suppose to be illuminated? I have turned the knurled stem clockwise several times to increase brightness. The instrument panel illuminates, but all of the red needles to include the tach and speedometer do not seem to be light. The red needles on a black surface are difficult to see and determine speed.

Is this a characteristic of the SR or do I have a problem? Before I take it to the dealer, maybe those with the 2016 SR could assist.

 

I'll let you know as soon as mine comes in Monday.

 

I have the same issue. I wish I could have the gauge needles be illuminated without the lights being on. The speedo and tach are extra difficult to see with polarized sunglasses on. The small info panel on the SR is almost impossible to see with polarized glasses.

 

I agree completely. I have trouble seeing the info panel even without sunglasses. Thanks for the reply. Looks like it is something I will just have to live with. The only thing that helps is I leave the headlights on any time I drive the truck. At least the SR model has the auto off headlights.

 

Mine doesn't have auto headlights. How can I tell? There is no auto setting on the stick.

 

The way I found out I had auto off headlights, I turned off the truck leaving the headlights on, and closed the doors. About 2-3 minutes later, the headlights went off. I think all 2016 Tacomas have auto off headlights.

 

The headlights stay on long enough for me to get safely into the house. I've looked back a few times just to check, and they would go out.

 

I just checked and they went off. Who says my time spent here is wasted? Thanks for the info.

 

What I want to know is if it is possible to swap out an SR instrument panel for the modern display one found in the SR5 and higher trim levels. On my older Toyotas I was able to swap out upgraded instrument panels with no problem. Of course they had no digital screens either.

 

I'm definitely interested in a swap out if it can be done.

 

is the sr5 different than the SR?

 

The difference is the red needle indicators. Here are pictures of the gauges with and without lights on.

 

The pictures make it look better than they actually are. I can barely see the Lcd information in the center while driving, and the red needles blend in to the black surface. The word Tacoma in the center Can only be seen in the picture. Would have preferred the white needle indicators. I guess one gets what they pay for.

 

I am guessing if you cant read the lcd panel/Tacoma lettering, you might want to go get your prescription rechecked on those glasses.

 

I guess they are different that's strange they don't light up

 

There is a setting on the head unit to adjust the time. I think the options are 15 sec, 30 sec, or a minute. At least on entune premium. I don't know if it works on all head units.

 

That's because the vehicle is turned off. No lights would display when off.

 

Anybody clean their gauges yet? I took a microfiber towel wipe my dust and there was some tiny scratches. I got some plasticx and I'm going to use a new microfiber towel, but any suggestions?

 

Obviously in that pic the key is off strange the needle don't light up when key is on

 

Same thing on my two 2nd Gens. Soft cheap-o plastic. It's another cost-saving initiative that consumers have to live with.