User Interface for Steering Wheel Controls Is NOT Well Done

[CTOWannabe]

So after driving the truck, which I love, the controls on the steering wheel are just not thoughtful.

Turn signals should be on a turning stalk, full stop. Just like Elon was wrong on the Yoke, he's wrong on the stalk.

But, even if you want to put them on the wheel you need to place them in a way you can actuate them without having to look down so they are muscle memory controllable.

Suggestion 1: Change the turn signal buttons into Next/Previous track for music, and use the left right toggle on the scroller for the Left/Right turn signal actuation. The scroller can still be volume.

Suggestion 2: Make The left/right toggle on the right side of the wheel to let you move from Chill, Standard, Custom, Off Road modes.

Driving modes. I FREQUENTLY need to change driving modes as my commute involves both off road and regular country roads and highway modes.

I personally think the above would make better DEFAULT controls and more intuitive, but at least offer an option to remap these. Maybe even let users remap them more broadly.

The turn signals in particular suck. I can use the palm of my hand to actuate bottom turn left indicator without looking, but you can't just "rock" (like on a guitar neck) your finger over the top turn right indicator as their is a little lip that makes that fail a good amount of time. So then you have to kind of look down to get your finger into the right spot (TWSS). Yes, it's not a big deal. Yes, you can get used to it. But I also think the above are easy fixes to make the controls much better for many.

And if there is a way to already do this, PLEASE PLEASE any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

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[JCERRN]

Well, you're in luck, at least as far as the right side- what you suggest is more or less what will happen with fsd v14.

i disagree about the left- it implies that people are inflexible and cant learn new controls for a new machine. I don't miss a stalk and i wouldnt be happier/safer if i had one. I am able to toggle a simple top or bottom button with my thumb as easily (if not more so) and with as much dexterity as a flipping a stalk up or down and i don't have to look down as you suggest… i suppose to each their own but the buttons work fine for me. Its just another way to control the same thing.

 

[CTOWannabe]

Well, you're in luck, at least as far as the right side- what you suggest is more or less what will happen with fsd v14.

i disagree about the left- it implies that people are inflexible and cant learn new controls for a new machine. I don't miss a stalk and i wouldnt be happier/safer if i had one. I am able to toggle a simple top or bottom button with my thumb as easily (if not more so) and with as much dexterity as a flipping a stalk up or down and i don't have to look down as you suggest… i suppose to each their own but the buttons work fine for me. Its just another way to control the same thing.

Not sure where you saw that implication. Some controls are just better and some worse. You can get used to worse controls, but that doesn't make them good. Also, obviously, what is better for some, will be worse for others. To each their own and all that.

But with my hands, the buttons simply are not useable as non look toggles as quickly and thoughtlessly as a stalk. And Not as quickly and mindlessly as using the next/previous track controls. I can feel those and push those left/right effortlessly without EVER wondering if I'm actuating the right spot, it happens all by feel. Whereas there just is not haptic feel from the buttons to KNOW your fingers are in the right spot. And for me, it's weird that I can actuate next/previous track better and more reliably than the difficult to discern by feel turn signal buttons. Also, toggling the scroller left and right ACTUALLY tracks the orientation of where you're going more accurately, ie, you push left or right to turn left or right. The buttons make you push up or down to turn left or right, and it's just inferior and not naturally intuitive IMO. That it works better for you, that's great! Happy to hear it!

But I'm not alone in my assessment that the left/right track change toggles are easier to handle than the turn signal buttons with friends that also have/drive the truck. But perhaps I'm in a vast minority with my friends.

As for version 14, I saw it had some control changes but i didnt think it was what I'm suggesting. FSD has always let you change Hurry/Chill modes when it's engaged, but I'm talking about letting you change modes when FSD is NOT engaged and your doing the driving but want a quick change to the driving mode without having to take your eyes off to tap the dynamics entry on the screen.

 

[JUSTICEQD]

"e muscle memory controllable."

To be muscle memory controllable, you need to build muscle memory. 12 months post purchase at this point, but didn't take too long for it to become normal for me. I just picked up a '25 JL 392 as a second vehicle and am surprised how quickly 30+ yrs of driving traditional stalk, shifting, etc., was lost from muscle memory after only 12 months of CT ownership


Have to say, I wouldn't go back

 

[seussiii]

lol couldn't help but think of the old southpark bike controls...

Could be worse...

 

[JCERRN]

Not sure where you saw that implication. Some controls are just better and some worse. You can get used to worse controls, but that doesn't make them good. Also, obviously, what is better for some, will be worse for others. To each their own and all that.

But with my hands, the buttons simply are not useable as non look toggles as quickly and thoughtlessly as a stalk. And Not as quickly and mindlessly as using the next/previous track controls. I can feel those and push those left/right effortlessly without EVER wondering if I'm actuating the right spot, it happens all by feel. Whereas there just is not haptic feel from the buttons to KNOW your fingers are in the right spot. And for me, it's weird that I can actuate next/previous track better and more reliably than the difficult to discern by feel turn signal buttons. Also, toggling the scroller left and right ACTUALLY tracks the orientation of where you're going more accurately, ie, you push left or right to turn left or right. The buttons make you push up or down to turn left or right, and it's just inferior and not naturally intuitive IMO. That it works better for you, that's great! Happy to hear it!

But I'm not alone in my assessment that the left/right track change toggles are easier to handle than the turn signal buttons with friends that also have/drive the truck. But perhaps I'm in a vast minority with my friends.

As for version 14, I saw it had some control changes but i didnt think it was what I'm suggesting. FSD has always let you change Hurry/Chill modes when it's engaged, but I'm talking about letting you change modes when FSD is NOT engaged and your doing the driving but want a quick change to the driving mode without having to take your eyes off to tap the dynamics entry on the screen.

You can also change between drive modes by pressing in on the left button, scrolling down to “drive mode” and selecting the one you want (sport, chill)

the turn buttons do correlate to a standard. to signal right, you flick a stalk up, the right signal is the top button, left is down in a stalk, the left signal is on the bottom

 

[CTOWannabe]

You can also change between drive modes by pressing in on the left button, scrolling down to “drive mode” and selecting the one you want (sport, chill)

the turn buttons do correlate to a standard. to signal right, you flick a stalk up, the right signal is the top button, left is down in a stalk, the left signal is on the bottom

Thanks for the note, I'm aware of that. Here are notes on the new controls BTW and no non FSD mode changes are noted:
https://www.notateslaapp.com/software-updates/version/2025.38.3.1/release-notes#:~:text=New Scroll Wheel Functions,-Available Worldwide&text=Your left scroll wheel includes,wheel to open the menu.

I understand your view on it being somewhat similar to the up down on the stalk, but that's often done in concert with actually turning the wheel left or right or in anticipation of it. Also, your fingers know if you are on the top or bottom part of the stalk with great haptic feedback, there is no ambiguity, unlike the buttons lack of haptic feel and great ambiguity that introduces. So it's at least a bit different, but your argument is a fair one.

I think my argument is better as wheel based UI mechanism as it both has directional fidelity to the act making it more intuitive, and physical feedback as to where you are on the control (ie being on the right or left side of the scroller wheel there is great no-look haptic feedback). But, for all I know, maybe the up down no-haptic feel buttons are better for most people. But I doubt it.

Definitely not for myself. The proof is i have ZERO issues toggling tracks mindlessly, and am prone to errors with the up/down buttons because they lack intuitive direction and perhaps more crucially, clear haptic feedback that your hand is on the right place of the control with high sureness. Of course, that is highly subjective "proof". But I think I have the better argument here as it would apply for most people. And then again, I could easily be wrong.

 

[eswimm]

I actually find the scroll wheel to be less reliable for me than the 2 buttons. I can find it without looking just as effectively as I can the current directional buttons, but on a bumpy road I'm more prone to click it unintentionally when advancing audio tracks.. The line between the 2 buttons provides all the reference I need for position, above it right, below it left.

 

[JCERRN]

https://www.notateslaapp.com/software-updates/version/2025.38.3.1/release-notes#:~:text=New Scroll Wheel Functions,-Available Worldwide&text=Your left scroll wheel includes,wheel to open the menu.


Thanks for the note, I'm aware of that. Here are notes on the new controls BTW and no non FSD mode changes are noted:
https://www.notateslaapp.com/software-updates/version/2025.38.3.1/release-notes#:~:text=New Scroll Wheel Functions,-Available Worldwide&text=Your left scroll wheel includes,wheel to open the menu.

I understand your view on it being somewhat similar to the up down on the stalk, but that's often done in concert with actually turning the wheel left or right or in anticipation of it. Also, your fingers know if you are on the top or bottom part of the stalk with great haptic feedback, there is no ambiguity, unlike the buttons lack of haptic feel and great ambiguity that introduces. So it's at least a bit different, but your argument is a fair one.

I think my argument is better as wheel based UI mechanism as it both has directional fidelity to the act making it more intuitive, and physical feedback as to where you are on the control (ie being on the right or left side of the scroller wheel there is great no-look haptic feedback). But, for all I know, maybe the up down no-haptic feel buttons are better for most people. But I doubt it.

Definitely not for myself. The proof is i have ZERO issues toggling tracks mindlessly, and am prone to errors with the up/down buttons because they lack intuitive direction and perhaps more crucially, clear haptic feedback that your hand is on the right place of the control with high sureness. Of course, that is highly subjective "proof". But I think I have the better argument here as it would apply for most people. And then again, I could easily be wrong.

The mode change option is not a new control, so it wouldnt be listed in the changes.

idk, i get the idea of it needing to be so dumb and intuitive that a 15 year old can do it for all intents and purposes, but that kinda raises the goal of FSD in general, eventually it will be a moot point and you wont have to worry about button/haptic/stalk (even if it is only seemingly a pipe dream now)

our current reality is of course not that, thus your current conundrum. Who knows, maybe tesla will allow for voice operated turn signals at some point, but it would require a hardware revision (differently labeled steering wheels) for the change youre suggesting, which would be even more confusing (wait, am i in a 2024-25 cybertruck with the turn signal buttons, or am i in a 2026 with the scroll wheel turn signals?)

one final comment on how buttons correlate to legacy stalk- the buttons are the left most control on the steering column (similar to how the stalk is far to the left): again to each their own, but ive had no problem adapting. Check out motorcycles and how many different types of turn signal toggles there are. None of them are stalks… they are almost always buttons or switches. Airplanes dont even have turn signals again- to each their own. Some are just better at adapting to change than others
no offense meant to your preference but i dont see tesla changing this any time soon.

 

[CTOWannabe]

"e muscle memory controllable."

To be muscle memory controllable, you need to build muscle memory. 12 months post purchase at this point, but didn't take too long for it to become normal for me. I just picked up a '25 JL 392 as a second vehicle and am surprised how quickly 30+ yrs of driving traditional stalk, shifting, etc., was lost from muscle memory after only 12 months of CT ownership


Have to say, I wouldn't go back

Humans are very adaptable. And I also love the truck. It's tough imagining getting anything other than another cybertruck. But that doesn't mean things cannot improve. MANY people said the same thing about the yoke and defended it greatly. But it turned out more people liked a wheel. Same with the stalk on the Model Y. Tesla had to backtrack on that. I would not be surprised if the truck eventually back tracks on that as well.

To me the better question is, can we do better. What is the better set of controls.

And IMO perhaps you COULD have better steering wheel controls that are superior to a stalk with a bit more haptic and intuitive feel in actuation. And that the left right motion on the scroller might just be a step on that direction.

 

[CTOWannabe]

I actually find the scroll wheel to be less reliable for me than the 2 buttons. I can find it without looking just as effectively as I can the current directional buttons, but on a bumpy road I'm more prone to click it unintentionally when advancing audio tracks.. The line between the 2 buttons provides all the reference I need for position, above it right, below it left.

The line is tough to feel out and takes more concentration to figure out where I am. That's why i like mashing my palm down to get the left turn signal with no feeling out or ambiguity as to where I am. For the right turn, I then do have to hunt for that button. Where as on the toggle, my finger can feel out very quickly with no ambiguity as to where I am.

But I totally believe you that it's worse for you on the accidental bumps. I can totally see that being the case for some, and who knows, maybe most.

 

[CTOWannabe]

The mode change option is not a new control, so it wouldnt be listed in the changes.

idk, i get the idea of it needing to be so dumb and intuitive that a 15 year old can do it for all intents and purposes, but that kinda raises the goal of FSD in general, eventually it will be a moot point and you wont have to worry about button/haptic/stalk (even if it is only seemingly a pipe dream now)

our current reality is of course not that, thus your current conundrum. Who knows, maybe tesla will allow for voice operated turn signals at some point, but it would require a hardware revision (differently labeled steering wheels) for the change youre suggesting, which would be even more confusing (wait, am i in a 2024-25 cybertruck with the turn signal buttons, or am i in a 2026 with the scroll wheel turn signals?)

one final comment on how buttons correlate to legacy stalk- the buttons are the left most control on the steering column (similar to how the stalk is far to the left): again to each their own, but ive had no problem adapting. Check out motorcycles and how many different types of turn signal toggles there are. None of them are stalks… they are almost always buttons or switches. Airplanes dont even have turn signals again- to each their own. Some are just better at adapting to change than others
no offense meant to your preference but i dont see tesla changing this any time soon.

Agree, but all those switches on bikes etc are not hard to feel buttons but have pretty significant haptic swoopy slopes etc to rest your finger into etc.

Again, a lot of people defended the Yoke and the lack of stalk on the model Y. Tesla literally back tracked on both, so them changing this in the next revision of the cybertruck has a good chance IMO.

I think the buttons labels are just arrows so they do work great for next/previous track, but you're right, labels for the scroll wheel would be necessary if it were a default. So that really makes the argument that if it were offered, it would need to be optional. As for difficulty, they proven with just this last release it's easy for them to remap the wheel buttons to do different things, so that, IMO, is trivial for them to do as an optional setting. Now whether they would ever actually do it, you may be right, they might not, unless this thread blew up with overwhelming support for adding it as an option.

UPDATE: So I added a poll!

Also, the mode change currently only works for FSD modes (chill, hurry, madam). Not non FSD modes (chill, standard, custom, off road).

 

[JCERRN]

Also, the mode change currently only works for FSD modes (chill, hurry, madam). Not non FSD modes (chill, standard, custom, off road).

This is not correct. See photos

 

[CTOWannabe]

This is not correct. See photos

That's great news (for me)! Thank you!

How does that work? For me when I toggle the right scroller left or right, nothing happens! Is there a setting somewhere to actuate the right scroller left/right toggle to do that?

 

[JCERRN]

That's great news (for me)! Thank you!

How does that work? For me when I toggle the right scroller left or right, nothing happens! Is there a setting somewhere to actuate the right scroller left/right toggle to do that?

Of course hope this helps.

Press and hold the left scroll button, you can either assign it to one of the functions, (such as drive mode) or set it to ask each time (if you want the options) you can change this in car menu->display-> scroll wheel function

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