Every new car on the market seems to come with a giant screen. Climate controls? On the screen. Radio volume? Also on the screen. Want to turn on your heated seats? You’re digging through a menu—while driving.
At ABR Houston, we work on everything from classic BMWs to brand-new Audis and Porsches, and we’ve got opinions: Touchscreens aren’t always better. I wish we had knobs again!
Here’s what we’re seeing in the shop—and what we think you should know before buying or modifying a vehicle loaded with tech.
Touchscreens Look Slick—But Function Matters
Sure, they look cool. Big, clean, minimal. But here’s the reality: screens take your eyes off the road. Traditional buttons and knobs? You can feel your way to them without thinking. Screens? You’re tapping through menus at 70 mph just to adjust the fan speed.
We just did an alignment on a Rivian- and to get the vehicle to stay in neutral/put it in service mode is a 15 minute dig though the screens to figure out where everything is. There’s no real “menu” or direction.
Our take: The tech is neat, but it’s often a downgrade in real-world use—especially while driving.
Screens = More Points of Failure
We’ve already seen plenty of infotainment systems freeze, glitch, or go completely dark. And when they do? You lose access to climate control, audio, and sometimes even basic driving functions like parking sensors or cameras.
Examples from the shop:
A 2017 BMW 535GT stuck on a black screen, and we can’t reset the tire pressure monitor system.
An Audi Q7 with a display brightness that’s so dim, you can’t see it during the daylight.
Our take: The more the car relies on a screen, the more problems you’ll have when it fails. Technology costs money to repair.
Repairs Aren’t Always Simple
When a physical button breaks, you replace the switch. When a screen dies, you’re often looking at:
Software reprogramming
Replacing an entire computer assembly
Removing half of the dashboard to access it.
And don’t get us started on fingerprint-covered screens that crack or delaminate after a few summers in Houston heat.
But Not All Touchscreens Are Bad
Some systems are well-designed. Audi’s MMI, for example, blends haptic feedback and hard buttons in smart places. Newer BMWs give you voice commands as a backup. The key is balance.
Final Thought from ABR Houston
We’re not anti-technology. We’re pro-functionality. The best cars keep driving first—and screens second. If your system is acting up or you’re looking to retrofit something more usable, we can help.
832-797-9114 Woodlands
281-579-8885 Katy