There is a special room in Hell – assuming such a place exists – for the person who decided it would be a good idea to replace knobs and buttons and switches with a big glowing screen you have to tap and “scroll” through while you’re trying to drive in order to get such basic operations as changing the station you’re listening to or turning up or down the volume done.
Operations that for decades were easily performed without any need to take your eyes off the road – because it could be done by feel – have become not just needlessly aggravating but needlessly dangerous – as well as dissonant. We are told – we are lectured – that it is unsafe to tap and swipe at our smartphones while driving yet doing exactly that becomes “safe” somehow when the screen is embedded in the dash (or erupting from it, like a glowing Pop Tart).
Since it is obviously not safe, some of these screens prevent you from performing certain operations – changing channels, using the GPS – while the car is moving if you try to perform them while the car is moving.
There are cameras in the car that are watching you, in case you did not know – and when they see that you are looking away from straight ahead, you will in some cars see a helpful helperson advisory nanny pop up on the screen that tells you the system has decided to stop responding to your tapping and swiping until you either stop the vehicle or stop looking at the screen.
For safety!
So now you’re additionally frustrated – by a system that’s awkward to use that prevents you from using it.
Normally, the idea is to improve the functionality of things, especially control interfaces. But a problem arises when further improvement is not possible because the existing interface works so well. How do you fix what’s not broken?
Well, you break it.
It is one thing to make a stereo that sounds better than an AM only radio and to make a sound system that sounds better than just a stereo. Just as it is one thing to make an engine more powerful, more efficient and produce less in the way of actually harmful combustion byproducts.
It is another thing to design something that works better for its intended task than a knob that you turn to the left or the right to increase of decrease the volume or to change stations on the sound system. As in it probably cannot be done. It certainly hasn’t been done yet.
So why have they changed what worked?
There are several reasons. The first is the dishonest reason. They will tell you it does work better, which is obviously false. Try it – time it – for yourself and see. How long does it take to reach over and turn the knob to the left or right to change channels? You’ll probably be done before you could even tap/swipe/scroll to the correct menu to tap up/down to get to to the icon that you tap to make the adjustment you wanted. When you do finally find it, the fine adjustment is often harder to make. The volume goes up a little too much or not quite enough; tap/swipe some more until it’s right. The lag time in between your tapping and swapping and the thing responding is another metric of functional inferiority. There is no lag when you rotate a knob – or push a button or hit a switch.
The second – honest reason – is that it’s “new.” Meaning it’s a sell. Vehicles have had knobs and buttons and switches from the very beginning – and that’s more than 120 years ago. It is newness – something different; the latest thing – that sells. A person who has never seen other-than knobs and buttons and switches in a vehicle is awed (at first) by the screen. It glows like futurity! Star Trek is here!
The newness of the thing only needs to cast a spell for long enough to get the bedazzled mark to sign the paperwork.
The third reason – which is the main reason – is that it reduces assembly costs and so increases profit margins.
When a vehicle is assembled with individual buttons, knobs and switches for the various systems, each has to be installed (and wired) independently. The best that can be done – from the standpoint of streamlining the process – is to design modular sub-assemblies that can be quickly fitted into place. A single LCD touchscreen, on the other hand, only has to be plugged into place. It eliminates all those small parts, all those other connections – all the trim work and fine adjustment that has to be done to make sure nothing is off-center and also to assure everything works. The touchscreen will usually just work – for awhile – and when it doesn’t, just plug another one in.
There is another advantage to this, too – from the standpoint of the vehicle manufacturers. It is that when the touchscreen glitches, it will be profitable for the dealer (as well as the manufacturer) since it may lead to a sooner sale of another new car.
One with an even bigger touchscreen!
. . . .
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Ferrari CEO just admitted that touch controls cost half as much to build as physical controls. Shockingly, Ferrari is selling physical button retrofits for some of its newer cars.
Now, if only brands meant for mere mortals could do the same!
https://www.motor1.com/news/790467/ferrari-touch-buttons-cost-half-physical-buttons/
I realize lots of people hate crApple products and the insufferable faggotry of that company and its PC worldview. But, how hard would it have been to outfit each and every car with an I-Pad? Even if only one of the big three did it, imagine how much easier it would make life. They seem to last forever. Wife has one over 10 years old. Plus, I-Pads, (even though they suck, IMO) are way better than any touchscreen I’ve come across in any car over the last ten years. Have driven plenty of rentals of all brands, and the touch screens all suck donkey balls.
More proof that our managerial Garbage Elite hate us with the fire of a thousand suns. At some point we might consider returning the favor. There are 1000+ of us for every one of them…
It’s about “owning the customer space.” I have an aftermarket stereo with Apple CarPlay, it’s actually quite good. For most everything I do with a phone while driving I don’t need to pick up the phone or do anything. The steering wheel controls run the CarPlay apps just fine.
GM removed CarPlay from their infotainment systems because they believe they can do better than Apple. Maybe they can, but that’s not the real reason. It’s because they are desperate to differentiate themselves from everyone else. And the only way they came up with is to have their own GUI.
I have come to the conclusion that the enshitifaction of so many things that’s done simply to make the user experience more cumbersome and difficult is to promote AI replacement and take over.
They make the operating systems and software less efficient for humans to use so AI can show a ‘gain’. They make cars more difficult to use and prone to crashing so that AI can show a ‘gain’. I’m seeing this all over. It’s deliberately making machines more difficult for humans to use because the AI or any other automation works behind the AI. There’s no interface of crappy controls in the way so it will be better time and time again.
I know it probably sounds odd, but that’s exactly how the control freaks and social engineers operate. Problem, reaction, solution. They want centralized control so they purposely hobble people’s ability to operate the machines. When the problem gets bad enough they come in with their ‘solution’ which wouldn’t be accepted otherwise.
Eric you know you want to pay 50k for a rolling phone
I hate all this new car shit I’ll stay with the old one’s
Not me, Angelo! I viscerally despise electronica. I want to be in control of my vehicle. If it has drive-by-wire anything, I want no part of it. I therefore choose to opt out of it.
As a Neo-Luddite, I agree with this article. Knobs last forever, I read in used car ads how screens have to be replaced. This useless technology being foisted on us is not limited to autos.
Do not forget how useless it is to mine for bitcoin, a totally nebulous thing:
Per Bitcoin Mined: In 2026, it is estimated that mining a single Bitcoin requires approximately 854,400 kWh of electricity globally.
I asked Goolag AI: how much electricity has been used mining bitcoin?
As of early 2026, Bitcoin mining consumes between 120 and 240 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually.
but what did Prechter say more recently about BTC?
“Going to Zero” Warning: More recently, Prechter has issued stark warnings that Bitcoin’s ultimate destination is zero. He views the asset as a product of extreme social mood that will vanish once the current “Grand Supercycle” bull market in stocks ends.
————
bottom line – a huge amount of electricity was used to create and sustain bitcoin, which is eventually going to zero and will disappear forever. Bitcoin was a speculative bubble, the greatest of all time.
how much CO2 was produced mining bitcoin?
if a nuke goes off, that screen in your car and your bitcoins will suddenly be found out as unworking or of no value
————-
how many crypto coins have been created so far?
As of March 2026, the estimated number of cryptocurrencies created varies significantly depending on whether you count every technical smart contract or only those that are actively traded and tracked.
Total Created (On-chain): Over 50 million cryptocurrencies have been created across various blockchains.
This massive figure includes every smart contract ever deployed that has shown at least some trading activity.
A significant portion of these (roughly 32 million) were launched on the Solana network due to its low cost and ease of use.
Tracked/Listed: Approximately 18,000 to 30,000 cryptocurrencies are currently tracked by major data aggregators like CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap.
These platforms filter for projects that meet specific criteria, such as having a functioning website and active trading volume on at least one exchange.
Active vs. “Dead” Coins: Only about 10,000 to 17,000 cryptocurrencies are considered “active” or hold any significant value today.
The vast majority (over 50%) of all cryptocurrencies ever launched have failed or become “inactive” due to a lack of funding, developers, or investor interest.
Iran shot missiles at Diego Garcia and San Diego Marine base.
It won’t be long until an Iranian missile takes out the Orange thing at Mar a Lago.
If Trump nukes Iran, what is our fate? I’ve read making an EMP weapon is simple.
Trump unleashed hell on us with Covid, now he does the same but worse than this war.
stop trump now
experts say Iran will enrich to 90% and have nukes in 2 months
the ayatollah who issued a no nuke fatwa was killed by israel
the fatwa is only valid with the ayatollah alive
I don’t believe it!
I think you are wrong on this one.
It is obviously a false flag created by israel and the USA to counter the losses that israel and the USA are incurring in the middle east.
Iran’s “fatwa” against the creation and use of nukes still stands.
I trust Iran. I do not trust the USA or israel…
Regards,
yeah, I agree, it is hard to figure what is actually real in this war
2 months? I heard 3 weeks.
I’m disgusted with all the touchscreen crap. I do buy a lot of new cars and now the dealers have a ‘tech guy’ to go through it all. “let me help you hook up everything” No. Go away. “but you have to setup the screen(s) and, and, and…..”. No I don’t.
My latest cars keep trying to get me to hookup to apple or android bs. No.
I just want to drive the freaking car as fast as possible. listen to the radio or my plugged in usb music. I will use their on-board nav. but if that goes away (subscription?) i then just use my phone. Leave me alone!!!
I’m glad I don’t have to deal with this nonsense.
I did put a cheap screen on the dash that mimics my phone for calls and navigation, but it’s all knobs for the rest.
Someone is going to make a very good business out of refurbing “sweet spot” cars, like mid 90’s-early 00’s cars. I’ll bet you could sell a ton of 75% as good as new Grand Prix’s, Tauruses, Camry’s, etc. and even offer optional upgrades like touchscreens for those that want them.
*sigh* always me with the ideas, but not the capital.
Forget the “clean look” Eric! I would rather have the old fashioned knobs. As you said, easy to use, and you could feel for what you needed without taking eyes off the road. The touch screen was a stupid idea for vehicles. I am surprised my own on my newer vehicle screen has not froze up when -40 below came around. Just for grins, I asked the dealership how much it costs to replace one. Yikes, $5,000 bucks! Who knows what the cost will be years down the road. Also, having the heat and A/C combined with the info-tanment system? Yuck. Thankfully, the newer vehicle I have, the two are separate. So if the touch screen dies, I can still use the heat and A/C. Yeah, older vehicles are looking better and better.
We (and our Iranian ALLY) avionics students learned in 1978 that ribbon connectors were invented by Murphy. They have ZERO physical load bearing capability. Go slow with a delicate touch.
Tha ubiquitous word “Clean” always pops up when someones selling an otherwise piece of shit. That screen is A FAIL. Obnoxious junk shoved in debtors face.
Hey Eric! I may have out-lived my worth but I still recall the Virginia Drivers’ Tests of the 1960s, which incorporated a reminder that the Virginia Code out-lawed ‘screens’ (ANY screens) which were visible from the driver’s seat. Whatever happened to that law? — RMH
Laws???
Shirley, you jest!!!
Our entire federal,state, and local (((governments))) have clearly become criminal enterprises…
Which the Mob is green with envy over, regarding GOV’s complete control of the sheeple and their money. Civilization, indeed!?!?
Laws??? LOL
“We don’t need no stinkin’ badges”…Blazing Saddles, 1974
Not only the controls, but the instruments themselves.
Back in the “old days” the fuel gauge was always a *red* needle. If the needle pointed to “F”, which was always on the right, the tank was full. If the needle pointed to “E”, which was always on the left, the tank was empty.
Now, who the f* knows what the “fuel gauge” looks like? AFAIK, THERE IS NO STANDARD.
Ran out of fuel on a SoCal freeway in a rented vehicle about 6 weeks ago, because I did not understand the fuel gauge. Loads of fun. On the way to LAX, BTW. Totally NF. Passenger (long time GF) definitely *NOT* a cappy hamper. Fortunately, we made it to LAX in time for her flight, which means I am still intact, and she is still my GF. 🙂 (Whew!)
Note: the fuel gauge on my 1960 MGA was purely mechanical. There was a small copper tube which ran from the engine block to the rear of the gauge. Probably just as well, since the so-called “electrics” on all “fine British motorcars” of the period were supplied by the Prince of Darkness himself. 🙂
“Note: the fuel gauge on my 1960 MGA was purely mechanical. There was a small copper tube which ran from the engine block to the rear of the gauge.”
it’s no wonder you ran out of fuel and are incapable of reading a fuel gauge on a modern car.
You have no idea how fuel gauges work.
MGA’s use a conventional Jaeger electric fuel gauge going all the way back to the start of production in 55’.
You are clearly confused about the metal tube coming from the block which is the capillary tube to the engine coolant temperature gauge.
Now take your meds Boomer, nap time will be about 20 minutes. Sweet dreams about how you imagine things used to be.
>MGA’s use a conventional Jaeger electric fuel gauge going all the way back to the start of production in 55’.
>You are clearly confused about the metal tube coming from the block which is the capillary tube to the engine coolant temperature gauge.
Sorry, I misspoke. (Not enough coffee yet this AM.)
I meant to say *oil* gauge.
On my ’60 MGA (1600 Mk I), there was a braided oil line (~ 12″ long) which went from the engine block to a solid copper fitting mounted on the inside wall of the right fender well. A small copper tube conveyed oil to the mechanical oil gauge.
It was my misfortune that the braided line sprung a leak late one night, summer of 1970. I was talking to my passenger (GF), and not paying sufficient attention to the gauges. Rude shock when the leak caused the engine to run out of oil, and the babbitt rod bearings failed.
No choice but to park the car and walk the rest of the way, from Randolph exit on I93 (then known as MA 128) up MA 28 past the Blue Hills Reservation to her parents’ house in Milton. Her Dad helped me next morning, towing the MG with his Pontiac. Engine bearings were junk, at that point.
The MGA *did* use an electric fuel pump, so perhaps that is also what you are recalling. The fuel pump made a distinctive clicking noise when the ignition key, (mounted in the dashboard) was turned to “ON”. The engine was started by pushing a large button, also mounted in the dashboard, just like some modern cars (my 2013 BMW, e.g.)
Sorry for the confusion.
>You have no idea how fuel gauges work.
Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I have been more “intimately” involved with the fuel pump/fuel filter/fuel gauge system on my 1989 F150 than I really cared to be. The entire system (dual tanks, w/ port f.i.) is complicated, but the *readout* is simple.
The rental was a Hyundai Santa Fe.
As you can see from this picture:
https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/6yxxE/s2/2021-hyundai-santa-fe.webp
both the temperature and fuel gauge display a white circular segment. As you can see, the length of the segment for the temp gauge depends on engine temperature.
I was expecting the fuel gauge to function the same way, but it displayed all segments lit up white when the vehicle ran out of fuel. Is there a “colored” segment which moves with fuel level, or did the vehicle have a defective gauge? Anybody know?
It was rented from Enterprise.
No idea about your Hyundai gauge question. But I do know that a physical red needle is unambiguous.
Whereas a digital display is inherently more enigmatic. I can’t count the number of times I’ve inadvertently clicked the wrong button on an app, a website, or a late model ‘smart’ vehicle, and gone down a rabbit hole.
Next time, take your GF to LAX in a 1960 MGA. That will be a ride to remember for both of you, if the Lucas electrics don’t flash a blue cloud of choking smoke as the wire wheels grind to a halt. ‘Crikey, lovey … I think we’re parked!‘
“Back in the “old days” the fuel gauge was always a *red* needle.”
Except those Smiths and Jaeger gauges on a MGA that were white needles on a black face.
Betting this guy never owned a MGA.
Yes I did. 1960 MGA 1600 MK I.
First car I ever owned. Bought used in 1968.
Kept me broke for several years.
Adi Heidler: Note: the fuel gauge on my 1960 MGA was purely mechanical. There was a small copper tube which ran from the engine block to the rear of the gauge.
I hate to say it Adi but that sounds more like a mechanical oil pressure gauge to me. As for the fuel gauge on a MGA i’ve not got a clue.
> that sounds more like a mechanical oil pressure gauge to me
You are correct, Landru. See my reply to Piotr above.
Clear case of PWOC (Posting WithOut Coffee), a.ka. “Head up ass.”
Sorry ’bout that.
I have a 2026 Toyota with a touchscreen. While it has controls in the steering wheel that allow you to change volume or station, it takes a bit longer to change the station; the wheel control goes through one at a time, vs. selecting the station’s corresponding button and pushing it.
Received a letter from Subaru in which the warranty period for touchscreens has been extended to 8 years. My 2021 Subaru has a touchscreen warranty till 2029…
My newest vehicle is a 2007. What happens when the touch screen is 19 years old, even if it still works?
Could you imagine expecting engineers to do their work on 19 year old computers?
Side note. The FJ doesn’t have a touch screen.
I repaired 40 yr old AND current electronics on the same bench. The poor kids prolly cant grasp anything with its knob intact?
‘the warranty period for touchscreens has been extended to 8 years’ — anarchyst
Meanwhile, the choco ration’s been increased to 20 grams.
Life is bountiful!
I had my 2018 Subaru outback touchscreen delaminate. Subaru had a limited recall on it but that ended in 2023. The dealer quoted me over $1,100.00. They suggested calling SOA which I did. They would not help in any way. I found a new aftermarket screen only from Kinetic Vehicle’s for Under $300 and installed it myself. It took about 2.5 hours to remove the unit, replace the screen then install it back in the car. It saved me a lot of money.
The outback has many buttons for the dual climate control. Mainly the fan controls and mode require me to look at them to make changes. The best climate setup were in my 90s Nissan cars and trucks. Dials and sliders with a button for AC.
Hi Pedro. Out of curiosity was the replacement touchscreen a plug and play type install or did it need to be programmed to function?
You only get the screen so you have to heat the glue to pry off the old screen then clean off any old glue. The new screen has two sided tape and a ribbon connector. It’s not hard but time consuming. Kinetic Vehicles has a YouTube video of the process.
Thanks.
Anyone can hack a raspberry device into a screen location. CMON KIDS!