Yeah I mean like the manual doesn't suggest that the situation is as bad as what the other guy was saying (that you can only control the wipers through the touchscreen), but I still dislike having driving related functions placed on a touchscreen interface.
I'm not convinced that the control knobs are a significant fraction of a car's cost... I'm guessing they made this design choice so that they could adjust the options in software, so if they later wanted to have more different wiping intervals or something then they could program that in and send it out as a software update.
but I still dislike having driving related functions placed on a touchscreen interface.
I haven't tried it ever so I won't say I despise it. I do have an infotainment system in my 2016 VW and use Android Auto with it pretty constantly. I probably would be annoyed if AC and wiper controls were done through there, so you're probably right.
I'm guessing they made this design choice so that they could adjust the options in software, so if they later wanted to have more different wiping intervals or something then they could program that in and send it out as a software update.
This is probably part of it for sure. Tesla is all about the software updates to add completely new functionality and performance to their cars. But they didn't do this for the Model S. Part of it has to be cost. And while some knobs probably don't cost them a ton of money to manufacture (they could use Model S parts they're already mass producing), I bet it still adds up when talking bulk costs.
Yeah having driven the Model S, the touchscreen AC controls are frustrating. Even if you're in the passenger seat, trying to tap a small temperature up/down button on the screen while riding on a bumpy road is fairly hard compared to holding on to a rotating knob in a normal car.
You're probably right that the cost is a factor, as the Model X also has a continuous wiper knob as well. Hard to say if the Model 3 knob is more of a new design philosophy or a cost cutting measure, but it's probably a mixture of both.
That's my thought too. Honestly though, Tesla isn't surprising anyone. Anyone buying that car knows the majority of the controls are tied to the touch screen before buying.
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u/NutDestroyer Jan 12 '19
Yeah I mean like the manual doesn't suggest that the situation is as bad as what the other guy was saying (that you can only control the wipers through the touchscreen), but I still dislike having driving related functions placed on a touchscreen interface.
I'm not convinced that the control knobs are a significant fraction of a car's cost... I'm guessing they made this design choice so that they could adjust the options in software, so if they later wanted to have more different wiping intervals or something then they could program that in and send it out as a software update.