Been looking at new cars and a lot have touch screen controls, on the dashboard and lower dashboard, for heater-a/c, and vehicle settings such as heated windows, etc.
I find you need to look at them longer to navigate to what you want rather than simply using switches and knobs. For example having to first navigate to the screen you want then setting what you want.
It's a bit like using a fixed I-pad on the lower dash on some, which surely can't be good.
Anyone had experience of this?
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
I drove a few cars with these and to be honest since I wasn’t familiar with the car it was a nightmare a couple of times, screen misted up and I didn’t know how to remedy it, stopped, and worked it out, ok, something that would need to be studied before driving, otherwise dodgy.
Only if they get stuck in your throat...
Have it on both my cars and once you get used to it there isn’t really a problem, the bulk of the settings are made before you start driving, what I really like is Head Up Display which shows your speed, gear, revs, etc in the windscreen just below your eyeline, well worth having.
I have the dual touch screen system in a Range Rover Velar and that is VERY distracting until you get used to it. After that it becomes quite intuitive (or so I am told...).
Still waiting for that though, but I haven't had it long...
I find it distracting if Im trying to find a function or setting that I don't use that often. Frequently used functions became intuitive quite quickly. Not exactly related but what I do really like is once my phone is connected the control panel will read out any texts I receive and I can dictate a response. Sometimes it's the little things in life.
It was that dual system that prompted my question after a test drive the other day. It seemed that depending on the light and reflections etc you couldn't always see which part of the screen to touch. And the blower control had to be assigned to that knob before adjusting the fan if it was set on another function. I don't think it's a step forwards tbh, and it doesn't seem to be thought out very well.Originally Posted by Maysie
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Are you ok?
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
I'm not a fan tbh. I always find myself having to look at what I'm pressing, whereas with knobs and buttons I can find the right thing by feel and not have to take my eyes off the road.
Although as mentioned, in reality there will probably be very few things you'll touch once you're moving.
Because I hate fingerprints all over it, I do my utmost not to touch the screen in my car. And as voice recognition continues to improve, I'm finding that I vary rarely need to touch it. Between voice control and steering wheel controls I'm pretty sure I take my eyes off the road less than I used to.
I owned a Vauxhall a few years ago that was a sea of buttons, and I found myself looking for the particular one I wanted. My current car has a decent balance between touchscreen (mainly for nav and media) and physical controls for climate.
I've never sat in a Tesla, but I understand that pretty much everything is controlled from a touchscreen, which is a step too far IMO.
I haven't used one with screens, but suspect I would find it distracting and time consuming... that said integration into electronics would make voice control much easier and effective and that could work.
The US Navy managed to crash two ship and found touch screens a factor https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/11/2...nical-controls
I like my Lotus, no bells and whistles.
Looking into the medium future it's inevitable as self driving takes over.
This is mine.
I understand the concern and I think I do prefer buttons for some things.
Nav / audio etc works well on the screens.
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Thats similar to the set up which made me feel uneasy about it. In the picture you would have to change screens to change the driving mode or other vehicle settings I think? Also can't see the button for turning off stop start feature, another screen?This is mine.
I understand the concern and I think I do prefer buttons for some things.
Nav / audio etc works well on the screens.
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Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Not dangerous, but I much prefer buttons most of the time. Plus the horrible fingerprints that are left...
I have a Matte/Anti Glare Film on my iphone , which eliminates fingerprints, maybe you could look into a similar product for the screen.
The finger prints just drive me crazy, both my cars have touch screens but I only use the wheel or console controls,
The ability to know where the button or how much to turn the wheel is invaluable for keeping your eyes on the road driving, but that just can’t be done with a touch screen because of the lack of feedback in my opinion
Yup swipe screens to get to driving mode, stop start is still on a button somewhere I think.
Temps / seats are do able from the screen or via a manual control
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It’s ok, you can do what you like with a touch screen, but pick up your phone!
Starting to think this is an easier to use option.
Some touch screen but buttons for most things.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
I drive one of these (a C300) and it’s a good balance. There are lots of things I ‘need’ to do on the move (really? Need?) but it’s not a touch screen, it’s a rotary controller, so there is some tactile feedback.Starting to think this is an easier to use option.
Some touch screen but buttons for most things.
Just like many people on this thread, I hate the fingerprints on a touchscreen (my discovery had one and it was always covered) but there are sooooo many functions in a modern car that single function switches are impractical and, crucially for a manufacturer, costly.
The screen is already there so if the manufacturer adds a function, it’s just a few lines of code to enable it whereas a switch needs to be designed, manufactured and fitted with all of the wiring that entails.
I think it’s going to be far more prevalent and confusing as time goes on
I had a test drive in a facelift model which only had the trackpad but thought it had the right balance between touchscreen and switches.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
I was looking at the newer volvos and it seems you have to do everything via a huge touch screen I drive an prehistoric Toyota avensis no touch screen heater controls are on knobs no stop start to have to keep deactivating, I think modern cars are definitely too distracting
Had a demo of the new A6 Avant last week and it had dual touch screens. I’m struggling to understand how it’s unsafe to use an iphone whilst driving, but essentially it’s ok to use two large iPads when on the move. Didn’t like the interface, but they did look good.
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Multiple touchscreens and no physical buttons/switches is a recipe for disaster. Other than a plusher looking interior, they offer no benefits whatsoever. It would put me right off.
Any vehicle you are operating where you are not familiar with the controls is a recipe for disaster
I FEEL LIKE I'M DIAGONALLY PARKED IN A PARALLEL UNIVERSE
^ this.
I test drove a volvo v40 yesterday which has a screen but is worked by knobs as the rest of the car functions are I thought it worked quite well but all the reviews say its old fashioned it also has the added bonus of not having fingerprints on the screen
I am struggling to understand what there is to adjust when you are on the move. In my most complicated car all the settings are made before I turn a wheel and it’s rare that I need to adjust anything whilst driving.
I regularly alter temperature, fan speed, airflow direction etc during a journey, especially if you have the fan on high for initial demisting.
I find that sometimes in a journey I want it either hotter or colder, depending on the temp outside etc., so it's nice to be able to adjust it easily without having to complete three levels of Super Mario to do it. Also I like to turn off the stop start as I dislike the delay pulling away at junctions/roundabouts etc. Yes I know it supposedly starts in less time than a sparrows fart but there is still a delay. Changing driving mode is also something that I want to do at certain times, so it's handy to be able to just put your finger on it so to speak.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
They seem to be trying to turn cars into mobile phones. Trouble is you need to look out the windows of your car to avoid causing death and mayhem, something trendy designers seem to have forgotten in their haste to introduce (often pointless) gizmos into cars
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Yes.
Seems like madness to me and I wonder how long it’ll be before they bring back buttons. Maybe after the first few high profile touch screen accidents I guess.
I don’t want a poxy shiny iPad in my car covered in finger prints and dust! I want buttons that I know where they are and even if they require a glance I can look back to the road and feel what I’m doing.
I’m actually amazed it’s gone this far actually. It’s like teenagers are doing interior car design and ‘cool’ = what we all want!
It’s such a huge oversight in safety it beggars belief really.
Just watched the new Porsche Taycan review and even that’s a screenfest.
I think it’s going the way it is (touchscreens) because we are rapidly approaching autonomous driving. When that is in place we will want our tablets and connectivity to keep us occupied during journeys.
We’re not, it’s a pipe dream, unless we make some huge changes to our road network or there is a massive technology jump it can’t happen.
It’s not a pipe dream at all. Town driving, I agree. There are way too many variables for it to work but motorway driving, there are cars built today that can do the driving for you.
https://youtu.be/tlThdr3O5Qo
The most powerful computer on the planet cannot make a decision, so please explain how the car will negotiate zebra crossings and roundabouts?
Did you not bother to read my post. I said NOT around towns because there are too many variables, but autonomous driving absolutely can be applied to motorways. The technology already exists. It’s the legislation and accountability that’s stopping it.
I have dual touch screens in a RR Velar. They look pretty but are dangerous
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That's what mine is in the picture above.
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My view is that it is dangerous if you change things on the move. If you do not have two hands on the wheels and your focus on the road ahead and mirrors it's an increase in risk.
Another set of focus areas will increase saccades, vergences (and brain out areas) and thus present a risk.
B
I’m looking for a new car at the moment and my wife has 2 stipulations: A manual gearbox and a proper handbrake. She is an excellent,safe and confident driver and as long as she knows where the lights and wipers controls are she doesn’t bother with any of the other tech when driving, she just views it as stupidly distracting - she won’t even answer a call on the hands free when driving. Went into BMW last week and they don’t appear to offer a car that offers what she wants - what we used to call a drivers car. Now looking at classic golf gti’s!
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Has your wife had an extended test drive in an automatic? Without trying to offend, she sounds very much like my mum a couple of years ago. She insisted on a manual and my Dad ignored her and bought an X1 with the 8 speed automatic gear box. I’ve got the manual version and asked her the other day if she’d swap cars. No chance was her answer.
I may have misjudged your missus and she’s more the type who likes to do burn outs and hand brake turns in McDonalds car park, in which case a manual gear box and proper hand brake is much more fun.
My first car had my favourite dashboard, like the one pictured, but I had a hidden pusher on the glove box so it looked a little more minimal.
VW Beetle
Lóve it.
Preferrably automatic.
The things from the interior mirror though... Distracting and obstructing the view. Took the mirror out of my cabrio for that reason btw; not much of a view through the rear porthole anyway.
Present resident female was adamant about manual for her latest car. It is .....béééép.....
The ´sporty´ argument is crap too. Even F1 cars are semi-automatic and would be cvt if thta had not been banned because it gave (Williams) an unfair advantage.
Bottom line: Out with stupid distracting screens, in with automatics.
Last edited by Huertecilla; 26th September 2019 at 08:34.
It's a pain in the arse if you've more than one car and only one of them has a touch screen.
I persuaded my wife to swap to automatic last year, it took some work but she now agrees with me, automatics are easier to drive and make far more sense in everyday driving. She had a driving lesson in an auto and that helped convert her.
Apart from classic cars, I’d never choose a manual over auto, but you do need one with a reasonable amount of power.
As for cars becoming ‘ dated’ because they won’t be compatible with phones.........almost fell of my chair laughing when I read this! Some of us don’t give a damn about the bluetooth crap, I’d be more likely to pull my own teeth out as connect a phone to my car, it’s not necessary or desirable for me.
Cars are being perceived like phones with an engine and wheels, but some if us still see beyond that, I look at what the car’s got to offer and I’m not swayed by all the bells and whistles. A good sound system is a ‘must’ for me, but beyond that I don’t care, I very rarely use sat- nav or any of the so- called ‘infotainment’ features.
Last edited by walkerwek1958; 25th September 2019 at 19:40.
If a good sound system is a must, don’t dismiss hooking your phone up via Bluetooth and blasting your favourite tunes into your head. It might even make you happy.
My phone’s a phone, doesn’t have any tunes but I guess it could if it had to.However, I have a large collection of flat silver things called CDs.........they produce excellent sound on a good system and I’m happy to continue using them.
Proper old- school hi-fi is my thing, those big black vinyl things sound particularly nice!
What I really can’t stand in cars is mediocre speakers and poor amplification, no matter what sound source you use it’ll never sound good, but that’s a separate debate. It’s excusable in cheaper cars but not on the premium brands.
We owned an auto Volvo V70 for a couple of years and if I’m honest I didn’t particularly prefer it over a manual either. I bought that without asking her, and she just got in and drove it. I don’t doubt they’re easier/lazier to drive but after 30 years + driving I don’t even think about changing gear tbh. I also find the lack of a proper handbrake a bit annoying so I have to say I don’t really disagree with her!
Also worth pointing out we live in rural Norfolk so traffic jams and queues are not really part of our daily drive, more poorly lit back country roads (I’m not a heathen and rather like led headlights!)
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Definitely worth trying a car with fully automatic handbrake. I was apprehensive about the one on our new Skoda, but it just works. Using a handbrake on our other cars is a chore now.
Pete
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