My Touch Buttons solution for 2025+ Touchscreen A/C Controls

[StevePlusPlus]

I found a low-tech solution to add some feel and responsiveness to the touchscreen A/C controls on a 2025.

I got some suction cup buttons designed to be used on your phone for games and cut off the suction cups. Then I got a glass screen protector for the maverick, marked where the buttons should be, and used a dremel with a diamond grinding bit to rough it up. Then I glued the buttons to the touchscreen using superglue. It might seem silly, but I've been finding it much more pleasant than the standard touchscreen.

My setup isn't perfect because I took the screen protector on and off a few times while trying to find the best solution for getting things to stick, so I figured it was worth posting to save someone else the trial and error.

Buttons: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ7WN4SP
Screen Protector: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMP5CZ4Y


Important update! It's been a few months now, and the buttons have fallen off. I haven't come up with a good alternative idea to make them stick. Maybe 3d printing a jig to hold them in place? But I don't have a printer. Just an FYI to readers of the future!

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[Escapologist]

Despite not having a problem so far, I may find this useful midwinter, where due to skin drying out or something, I get episodes of "zombie finger" where touch screens don't respond to my booger hooks very well. I will possibly just sucker them on temporary though.

 

[Darthie]

Brilliant

 

[urwatuis]

I don't like touch screens in general. I have a 2023 XL and it really annoys me because I have to take my eyes off the road for a longer time in order to find the buttons. I know It's a money decision but I think it sucks

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Despite not having a problem so far, I may find this useful midwinter, where due to skin drying out or something, I get episodes of "zombie finger" where touch screens don't respond to my booger hooks very well. I will possibly just sucker them on temporary though.

I am type 2 diabetic and as a result summer or winter 24/7 my circulation in my fingertips is reduced so I am forced to suck on my booger hooks to keep them warm enough work on touch screens.

 

[Cherokee]

I miss the old cars.
AM/FM and maybe a cassette player.
Buttons knobs and levers to control everything. So simple.
I like my Mav just fine but
I truly think all these screens are good for nothing. All bull shit.
Except making vehicles more complex and expensive.

But No, we love shiny thing’s dangling in our faces, why on earth do we feel the need to be entertained in this way.

And to those that got to have all that data on what the vehicle is doing, to make things better. I say your completely missing out on the ride itself.

I was well aware of automobiles going to crap when they put a freaking check engine light on the dash.
Now look at them,
So complex and expensive to repair you better buy an extended warranty.
Unibody, one good thump and it’s totaled.
$700 for a head light assembly,
No bumpers just plastic covering something harder.
Trucks, even mini trucks should be tank tough.
They were once.

We all got screwed and the best part, they/them made us love it.

 

[StevePlusPlus]

Despite not having a problem so far, I may find this useful midwinter, where due to skin drying out or something, I get episodes of "zombie finger" where touch screens don't respond to my booger hooks very well. I will possibly just sucker them on temporary though.

Using the suction cups was one of the things I tried. They only stick for a few hours, then good luck finding them when they fall off.

 

[Brent@ANParts]

Hah that's fantastic, I love a simple solution. I too wish for more basic physical buttons. I would go crazy if I didn't have auto climate control.

 

[Name]

I miss the old cars.
AM/FM and maybe a cassette player.
Buttons knobs and levers to control everything. So simple.
I like my Mav just fine but
I truly think all these screens are good for nothing. All bull shit.
Except making vehicles more complex and expensive.

But No, we love shiny thing’s dangling in our faces, why on earth do we feel the need to be entertained in this way.

And to those that got to have all that data on what the vehicle is doing, to make things better I say,
You’re completely missing out on the ride itself.

I was well aware of automobiles going to crap when they put a freaking check engine light on the dash.
Now look at them,
So complex and expensive to repair you better buy an extended warranty.
Unibody, one good thump and it’s totaled.
$700 for a head light assembly,
No bumpers just plastic covering something harder.
Trucks, even mini trucks should be tank tough.
They were once.

We all got screwed and the best part, they/them made us love it.

My first car was an 81 Chevette Scooter.

I in no way miss it.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Hah that's fantastic, I love a simple solution. I too wish for more basic physical buttons. I would go crazy if I didn't have auto climate control.

I had an "EASY" button a few years back. When you pushed it, the light came one and it's speaker said "That was easy!".

 

[Tbone289]

I am type 2 diabetic and as a result summer or winter 24/7 my circulation in my fingertips is reduced so I am forced to suck on my booger hooks to keep them warm enough work on touch screens.

That works as a result of you adding moisture to your finger, not warmth. Touchscreens sense a change in capacitance of an electrostatic field, which is not affected by temperature but is affected by skin moisture.

 

[notfast]

I truly think all these screens are good for nothing. All bull shit.
Except making vehicles more complex and expensive.

It could be argued that it's cheaper for automakers to just integrate more controls into the center touchscreen than manufacture separate hardware for the HVAC controls, radio, etc. Adding controls into the software that runs the touchscreen is just a matter of a software update.

Even then, a lot of hardware switches for the last 10-20 years or so just command various control modules, but without a graphical interface. My Nissan Frontier's headlight switch merely commands the body control module to activate the headlights. Compare that to my '01 F-150's mechanical headlight switch that electrically completed a circuit to power on the headlights.

Some GM vehicles don't even have a physical headlight switch anymore. The headlight control is accessed via the center touchscreen. I suppose their line of thinking was...the headlight switch merely commands the BCM, which the center touchscreen can do already. Plus with auto-on headlights, wiper-activated headlights, and auto high beams, I suppose they figured most drivers would just leave the headlight switch in auto and forget about it.

 

[grandpa_disney]

I don't like touch screens in general. I have a 2023 XL and it really annoys me because I have to take my eyes off the road for a longer time in order to find the buttons. I know It's a money decision but I think it sucks

I went for a 24 xlt instead of a 25 since the 24 had buttons for the climate controls and the radio. That and I don't like the grill on the 25's. I think that touchscreen controls are a very huge safety issue and should be banned.

 

[Maverick123]

To everyone who hates touchscreens and / or thinks they're a safety hazard: take a few minutes and learn to use voice commands.

 

[Chops]

To everyone who hates touchscreens and / or thinks they're a safety hazard: take a few minutes and learn to use voice commands.

Can I tell my truck “set temp to 70” or equivalent & no touchscreen button to find? If so - I’m very grateful for your tip. Read the Manual?

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