A display of innovation

When a truck driver takes his eyes from the road, it is typically to check the instrument cluster. To maintain safe driving, it is critical that this process be as rapid and informative as possible.

At the IAA exhibition in 2008, Scania launched a new, updated, more user-friendly instrument cluster with improved graphics and styling.

“We wanted to develop an easy-to-read and understandable instrument that minimises the time the driver takes his eyes off the road,” says Robert Friberg, ergonomist at Scania, who helped develop the new interface. “It gives you the information you need at a glance, and the display menu is easy and logically arranged.”

Quick overview

The new instrument cluster, all of which is visible through the steering wheel, includes all the standard gauges, giving the driver a quick overview of road speed, engine revs, coolant temperature and fuel reserves.

There is a display in the centre where you can choose to display brake pressure, gearbox information, time, messages, warnings, odometer and temperature readings, a trip computer, driving-time information and cruise control settings, as well as information about cargo weight, tyre pressures, differential locks and the new Scania Driver Support system.

The Scania Driver Support system assesses a driver’s driving style in real time and offers detailed hints on how the driving can be improved in areas such as hill driving, brake use and choice of gears, while also rewarding sensible manners.

Three instruments

For the menus, the Arial typeface was chosen for its broad readability in more than 20 languages. Previously Scania had its own typeface.

For safety reasons, it is not possible to access personal settings, vehicle settings or vehicle data while the vehicle is moving. Warnings and programmable fields are available while driving.