Cars, just like every other product category, it seems,have been taken over by touch screens.
According to anew JD Power survey, owners aren’t happy.
So why is this happening?
Vintage car dashboard.Eric Marty / Unsplash
And what can you do about it?
“From my experience, people like tactile feedbackpressing buttons, turning knobs.
Trying to navigate a touchscreen at 70mph to change the AC or seat is neither intuitive nor safe.
The dashboard screen on a Tesla vehicle.Jonas Leupe / Unsplash
It’s like texting while driving, and we know that’s sketchy.
Physical controls are easier and safer without eyes off the road.
Touchscreens Vs Buttons and Knobs
First, let’s look at why touchscreens have taken over.
Using iPhone for navigation in a car.Samuel Foster / Unsplash
There appear to be two reasons.
Jonas Leupe / Unsplash
The real reason manufacturers prefer touch is a combination of price and updateability.
“Touchscreens are way cheaper for automakers versus buttons and knobs.
One screen that handles everything versus multiple parts to manufacture and maintain.
There’s also the perceived ‘luxury’ factor.
Screens scream modern and high-tech,” says Walden.
After all, they can do a whole lot more than a scattering of knobs.
While there are clear advantages in the flexibility of options, touch has some serious downsides.
If you ever drove a pre-touchscreen car, you’ll remember being able to operate it by touch.
After getting accustomed to the layout of all the controls, you’d forget about them.
Turn up the heating?
Just reach and twist.
Same for the radio volume knob, and so on.
With a touchscreen, you have to look at it every time.
You’re distracted, and you’ve taken your eyes off the road.
If you’re buying new, test drive the tech.
verify you vibe with the interface.
It can be a bit of a kludge, but depending on your car, aftermarket buttons are available.
“If you’re buying new, test drive the tech.
double-check you vibe with the interface.
“Use the beneficial features your car has, and don’t use the annoying ones.
For example, GPS will work just as well on your phone as on your car screen.
Samuel Foster / Unsplash
Not only is the experience better, but it can also be more consistent.
In fact, you might even be better off with Siri.
Maybe one day, buttons and knobs will come back.
But until then, at least there are these few workarounds to ease the frustration.
