Image Credit: Wall Street Apes on XA video comparing touchscreen air conditioning controls in modern cars with the traditional knobs found in older vehicles has sparked strong reactions from users on X.The use of touchscreens in cars has been widely debated, particularly over whether essential functions such as air conditioning and blower speed controls should be operated through digital menus instead of physical buttons and knobs.Critics argue that touchscreen controls can pose a safety risk because drivers often have to take their eyes off the road to adjust settings through the infotainment system. In contrast, physical buttons and knobs can typically be operated by touch alone, allowing drivers to keep their attention on the road.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the video, a man questions why using a phone while driving is illegal in many states, yet automakers are allowed to equip vehicles with large touchscreen displays that, he argues, can be just as distracting.Man Frustrated by Slow-Starting Ford ScreenImage Credit: Wall Street Apes on XThe video, posted on X by Wall Street Apes, has garnered more than 300,000 views. It begins with a man getting into what appears to be a newer Ford vehicle on a sunny day while it is parked outdoors. In those conditions, most drivers would likely want to switch on the air conditioning as soon as they enter the cabin.Because the vehicle relies on a touchscreen interface, the air conditioning controls are located within the infotainment system rather than on physical buttons or knobs. As a result, the driver has to wait for the system to become operational before adjusting the climate settings.In the clip, the infotainment system takes several seconds to boot up after the vehicle is started, displaying the Ford logo before the controls become available. Growing frustrated as he waits to turn on the air conditioning, the driver exclaims, "I get it, you're a Ford, let me turn the f**k*ng AC on." Once the screen finally loads, he navigates the laggy touchscreen to activate the air conditioning.An Old Volkswagen Does It FasterThe video then cuts to an older Volkswagen without an infotainment screen, with all AC functions operated by buttons and knobs. Within seconds, the man turns on the AC and sets his preferred cooling and blower speed, highlighting how the function can be toggled swiftly and in a simpler manner in older vehicles.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe uploader then questioned why certain states have made it illegal for drivers to use smartphones while "vehicle manufacturers are installing massive tablets in your car."The video has led many users to vent their frustration about infotainment screens in the comments section, suggesting that the issue is not a one-off case after all. Some reactions are below:One user wrote:"It's an incredible downgrade and it's all happening as planned, they don't want us loving cars no more, they want to control our movements, they don't want us going into the nature, they want us in our 15 min cities riding our bikes" [sic]AdvertisementAdvertisementAnother user pointed out why buttons are required to operate important functions:"I've been the software development profession for 25 years. I find most of the user interfaces in automobiles to be completely lacking from an experience standpoint. Tactile controls are essential to safe driving. I don't mind a touch screen for some things, but knobs and dials are still needed. A driver can't take their eyes off the road to scroll screens to change the heat/AC settings."A user experienced a similar issue with their Toyota:"Very true. Toyota big screen is distracting. They removed one knob for changing channels Now I have to hunt and peck. Hunt means look at screen, eyes off road." [sic]AdvertisementAdvertisementOne user is thankful AC is not a subscription service yet:"Just be Happy they haven't charged a subscription yet ." [sic]One user took a humorous approach amid all the complaints, writing:"Cars these days have WAY too many gadgets on the dashboard. Yesterday I put my car in reverse and it showed me a distracting video of some poor guy getting run over by a car 🤨"American shows the amount of time it takes for his new Ford to turn on, boot up the screen and finally get to turn on the ACHe then shows how quickly and simple it is to do in his older carDoes anyone else find it strange that in many states make it illegal to look at your… pic.twitter.com/zut4APeQdL— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) August 4, 2026