Revolutionizing In-Car Audio: The Baffling Story Behind BMW’s Reversed Steering Wheel Controls
The Baffling BMW Steering Wheel Stereo Controls: A Plea for Change
As I sit behind the wheel of my trusty F31 BMW 3 Series station wagon, I can’t help but feel a sense of frustration with the steering wheel stereo controls. It’s a design choice that has left me scratching my head, and I’m not alone. I’m convinced that I’m not the only BMW driver who’s ever felt a sense of rage at the awkward layout of these controls.
The Problem
On the right spoke of the steering wheel, you’ll find a bank of thumb-toggle controls. It’s a standard feature, but one that’s designed in a way that’s, quite frankly, maddening. The roller control, which you spin with your thumb, is used for track selection, while the +/- buttons control the volume. It’s a setup that defies logic and makes no sense.
A Button for Track Selection, Please
Track selection is typically a one-step process. You want to skip to the next song, so you press a button. It’s a simple, intuitive action. But no, BMW has seen fit to make it a multi-step process, requiring you to scroll through options and then press a button to confirm. It’s a design choice that’s both frustrating and unnecessary.
Volume Adjustment: A Button’s Best Friend
Volume adjustment, on the other hand, is a task that’s typically done in singular increments. You either turn the music on, off, or adjust it to a specific level. It’s a task that’s best suited for a button, not a roller control. The roller could do this job almost as well as the knob on the infotainment system, which is the gold standard for volume adjustment.
A Holdover from Radio Days?
My theory is that this design choice is a holdover from the days when radio was the primary method of in-car entertainment. On FM radio mode, you do need to scroll through presets quickly, so the toggle wheel makes sense. But in this era of digital music and streaming, it’s a relic of the past.
A Plea for Change
I know, it’s not a big deal. But it’s a pet peeve that I just can’t shake. I’m convinced that I’m not the only one who’s ever felt this way. So, BMW, if you’re listening, I implore you: change the steering wheel stereo controls. Give us a button for track selection and a simple, intuitive way to adjust the volume. It’s a small change that could make a big difference in the driving experience.
Have a Human/Machine Interface Issue of Your Own?
If you’re like me and have a pet peeve about the BMW steering wheel stereo controls, I’d love to hear from you. Hit me up at [email protected] and share your own human/machine interface issues. Who knows, maybe we can start a movement to change the way we interact with our cars.
