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Let’s start with a bitter pill. Cars are complicated now. Not “tinker-under-the-hood-on-a-Sunday” complicated, those days are long gone.
We’re talking about vehicles that are effectively software platforms on wheels, bloated with features most owners never fully discover.
Unlock Hidden Menus in Your 2025 Toyota Tundra
You might drive a truck for years before stumbling across a setting buried three menus deep that changes your daily experience. The 2025 Toyota Tundra is a prime example, an engineering marvel stuffed with smart systems and hidden tricks. But until you find the right digital rabbit hole, you might never know what your truck is truly capable of.
Andy Low, who posted a laundry list of Tundra tips to the "2023–2025 Toyota Tundra Owners" Facebook group. In a single thread, he unlocked a treasure trove of features many owners didn’t even know existed.
"Here are the best tips, tricks, and adjustments I’ve found on the Tundra. I’m sure you have more, too. What did I miss?
1) Using satellite view on Google Maps in CarPlay. Touch the screen while in Google Maps, then touch the gear icon in the upper right to switch it to satellite view. Looks fantastic.
2) For those with a digital rear-view mirror, you can change the direction and zoom level to your liking. Edits can be done directly on the rear view mirror utilizing the buttons.
3) The sunroof - once it’s opened all the way and stops, it will open a bit more if you press the button again.
4) If CarPlay fails to connect when starting, simply press in the volume knob for a few seconds and it will restart the screen and it should connect perfectly.
5) For non-hybrid models, Velcro sticks great to the underside of the back seat, which can improve storage options and accessibility to items.
6) I didn’t buy another Tundra for MPGs, but if you’re truly interested in maximizing MPGs, the best way I’ve found to increase your gas efficiency:
- Utilize the Auto shut off. Studies show that the advantages kick in anytime the engine of turned off for 7 seconds or more. The engine restart uses the equivalent amount of gas as the engine running for 7 seconds.
- Use cruise control as much as possible (Constant speed, not Adaptive).
- a light foot and easy start
- a bed cover and closed windows
- no lifts, aggressive tires, and other mods that can affect MPGs
- Then just pray for tailwinds and downhill travel! 😂
On Highway travel, I average 22-25 MPG consistently. It can be done!
7) Cruise Control - if you don’t like “Adaptive cruise” (I hate it), just hold down the cruise control button for a few seconds and it will switch you to “Constant Speed cruise” - no more auto-slowing!
8 ) There’s a small button under the latch handle - on the far right side - that, when pressed, will lock all doors.
And last, if your Tundra has the Auto Unlock when grabbing the driver door handle, if you hold the door handle longer, it will unlock all doors, not just the driver door. Grabbing the passenger door handle will immediately unlock all doors. You can also change settings so that grabbing the driver’s handle automatically opens all doors.
And Last, Last, if you want to customize which seats trigger the seatbelt warning, turn the seatbelt warnings off, or change lots of other settings, grab a Carista on Amazon."
Andy’s post didn’t just enlighten, it rewired the way owners saw their trucks.
2025 Toyota Tundra Engine Lineup & Performance Specs: Horsepower, Torque & Towing Capacities
- The Tundra offers a range of engines to suit various needs. The base i-FORCE 3.4L twin-turbo V6 delivers 358 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. An enhanced version produces 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. For maximum performance, the i-FORCE MAX hybrid variant combines a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor, generating 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.
- The Tundra is built for heavy-duty tasks, offering a maximum towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds with the i-FORCE engine and 11,450 pounds with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid. Payload capacities reach up to 1,940 pounds, ensuring the truck can handle substantial loads.
- All Tundra models come equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and efficient gear shifts. Depending on the trim, drivers can choose between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations, allowing for adaptability across various driving conditions
Who knew there was an extra sunroof position after it seemed fully open? Or that holding the door handle longer would unlock all the doors? Or that a tiny, easily missed button under the tailgate handle could lock the entire vehicle? One commenter, Craig Fogle, offered up a stealthy tip on remote starting:
“Press the lock button three times quickly, and on the third, hold it down for five seconds.”
If that sounds like a cheat code for a PlayStation game, you’re not far off. Modern trucks have gone full Konami Code.
Fuel economy tips turned heads, too. Andy’s strategy combined old-school driving habits, light throttle, cruise control, with modern tech like Auto Start-Stop. The idea? The system only pays dividends if the engine is off for more than seven seconds.
How to Hit 25 MPG in a 2025 Tundra
That one fact alone changed how many owners approached stoplights. Add in a closed bed cover, stock tires, and no lifts, and suddenly a Tundra pushing 25 MPG highway isn’t just a unicorn, it’s a repeatable reality. In a world where EPA numbers often feel like fantasy, Andy’s advice landed with real-world weight.
Of course, not everyone is onboard with the stop-start system. Across various forums, including TundraTalk and ToyotaNation, owners express frustration over the jarring shutdown at intersections. One user described the experience as “annoying” and claimed it practically gave them a heart attack when forgotten.
Others developed workarounds, like tapping the override button immediately after starting the truck, or learning how to modulate brake pressure just right to avoid the cutoff. It’s a strange game of cat-and-mouse between driver and ECU, but for those willing to play it, the savings are real.
Top 2025 Toyota Tundra Accessories: Console Covers, Bed Dividers & More
Then came the accessories, simple upgrades that dramatically improve daily livability. Chip Cassady pointed out two underrated purchases: a matte-black center console cover to prevent scratches and glare, and a beverage holder divider to keep mugs from launching during turns.
These aren’t high-dollar mods or flashy installs. They’re the kind of tweaks that make your truck feel like it’s been customized for your habits. That’s what separates a good owner from a great one, not horsepower figures, but attention to detail.
Even the sound system got a mention. Paul Picard dropped a sleeper tip for Tundras equipped with JBL audio:
“Turn off surround sound in the settings for more thump and richer acoustics.”
Simple, smart, and it works. It’s one of those things Toyota probably tuned for broad appeal, but a quick change brings out the character buried beneath.
2025 Toyota Tundra Sales & Market Share: Hybrid Growth & Segment Performance
- In 2024, Toyota sold approximately 159,528 Tundra pickups in the U.S., marking a 27.4% increase compared to the previous year. This growth was further bolstered by the hybrid variant, which saw a 22.1% rise in sales, totaling 37,010 units.
- The Tundra's market share surpassed that of the Ram 1500 in early 2024, reaching 15.3% by April, indicating a shift in consumer preference within the full-size pickup segment.
- Buyers are drawn to the Tundra for its blend of reliability, performance, and value. Many owners report satisfaction with the truck's long-term dependability and competitive pricing compared to other half-ton pickups.
What’s remarkable here isn’t just the features, it’s how owners are discovering them. Not through dealer walkarounds. Not through YouTube influencers shouting over background music. But through shared experience.
Through crowdsourced wisdom from people who live with these machines every day. This isn’t just digital camaraderie, it’s a new kind of ownership. One where the manual is written collectively, one Facebook thread at a time.
What Andy and others have built isn’t just a cheat sheet; it’s a philosophy. Learn your truck. Know your machine.
These vehicles are too expensive and too advanced to drive in ignorance. It’s easy to get cynical about tech-laden trucks and their complexity, but moments like this remind us there’s still joy in the hunt. There’s still pride in understanding the machine beneath you. And sometimes, all it takes to unlock that joy is knowing where to press and holding it just a little bit longer.
Image Sources: Toyota Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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