User Interface for Steering Wheel Controls Is NOT Well Done

[Cincycyber]

I have fully adapted. I love the economics of the squircle. Form follows function, and there’s no reason to have another thing sticking out waiting to break and requiring me to take my hands off the wheel. When I drive a traditional car with a turn signal stalk I feel like I’m driving a horse and buggy. Easy to change.

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[CyberGuyHawaii]

I’ve had my truck for almost a year and a half now and I wouldn’t ever want a different steering wheel. I think it took maybe a day or two for it to be natural. I think it’s way easier than a stalk and having to toggle a switch would be even worse. Give it time and you’ll get used to it.

 

[hemiarch]

I've owned and daily driven the CyberTruck since April 2024 and I completely disagree with this statement. I love the turn signals being exactly where they are. I never have to move my hand to signal, I just reach over with my thumb, it's awesome. I would be very annoyed if they went back to a turn stalk in the CT like they did in the Model 3 / Y.

Me too. Don’t miss stalks at all. Get pretty annoyed at it every time I get a loaner OG model 3
My transformation is complete

 

[cybergriz]

I got a pack of these to help me find the buttons. I put one on the high beams button, and the other on the wiper button. (You could put them how you like) They still stick well since April, and it's just enough to feel around and teach your fingers where they are without looking. It worked really well, and they're hard to see so a casual onlooker would never spot them. I also stuck dots on the inside of driver's rear door window controls, it makes it easier to find those too. I've seen others do this with much more noticeable dots (think bejewelled).

 

[CTOWannabe]

How long have you had your truck? Even if coming from gas, I’d be surprised if you’re over a month in and still want a round steering wheel and a stalk. This system is redonkulously superior in every way. If they offer button options for people stuck in the past, whatever. I won’t change mine. If they ever put a stupid stalk in future models, I’ll lose my mind.

Ive had other cars with buttons on the wheel. And while the squircle is better than the yoke, it's still not as good as a wheel.

And yes, I love the quick turn of steer by wire and that helps, but it doesn't mean it's better than a standard circle or a flat bottom circle wheel. And it’s wrong to conflate drive-by-wire advantages with the squircle bestowing drive by wire benefits to the squircle as if they emanate from it. Drive by wire makes the squircle more tolerable but not necessarily better. I use the cybertruck as a truck. Often in challenging off road circumstances that still require full lock and easing release of full lock, and a regular wheel allows for finer precision on release gliding through your fingers that is impossible with a squircle. Can I manage just fine with the squircle, sure I can but that doesn’t mean it’s actually a superior input device

Furthermore, one of the arguments about the round wheel obstructing the dash/view doesn't even apply to the cybertruck as there is no display behind the wheel and you could land light aircraft on the long dash.

Somits my belief the excellent drive by wire tech masks many of the failings of the squircle that would be even better with a more rounded wheel. That said, I do like the aesthetics of the squircle. Looks cool.

 

[CTOWannabe]

I got a pack of these to help me find the buttons. I put one on the high beams button, and the other on the wiper button. (You could put them how you like) They still stick well since April, and it's just enough to feel around and teach your fingers where they are without looking. It worked really well, and they're hard to see so a casual onlooker would never spot them. I also stuck dots on the inside of driver's rear door window controls, it makes it easier to find those too. I've seen others do this with much more noticeable dots (think bejewelled).

That’s a fantastic suggestion. Thank you!

But it buttresses my point that there is not enough physical haptic around the buttons

 

[ABILISK]

I use the cybertruck as a truck. Often in challenging off road circumstances that still require full lock and easing release of full lock, and a regular wheel allows for finer precision on release gliding through your fingers that is impossible with a squircle.

You’re obviously not Cybertruckin’ right. The squircle should never be “release gliding.” Never break your grip. Your hand goes on the side and doesn’t leave its place through the entire range of steering motion.

 

[CTOWannabe]

You’re obviously not Cybertruckin’ right. The squircle should never be “release gliding.” Never break your grip. Your hand goes on the side and doesn’t leave its place through the entire range of steering motion.

Well you cannot do it. But there are times when it would be useful imo. Doing multiple full lock back forth k turn maneuvers on a narrow road for example.

While the entire motion certainly is greatly eased with the limited drive-by-wire system, I’m still lazy enough that its still far enough at full lock that I’d like the ability to release glide, which is basically impossible with a squircle.

 

[ABILISK]

While the entire motion certainly is greatly eased with the limited drive-by-wire system, I’m still lazy enough that its still far enough at full lock that I’d like the ability to release glide, which is basically impossible with a squircle.

Ah. We’ve identified the root of the problem. Most shockingly it appears to be the user, not CT.

If you can’t go from here:

To here:

Without moving your hand or letting the wheel spin itself for you, I don’t know what to tell you.

 

[SlegMD]

I am satisfied with the current CT configuration. So are my “friends”.

Perhaps coordination training is in order?

 

[Coolhandz]

I have occasionally used the scroll wheel on the left to change tracks, or try to, and instead accidentally increased the volume. I think the movements are so close together that the chances of user error would be increased to the point of annoyance. With that being said, no, I think the current layout is best and I don't think an option to remap the functions would be appropriate. As others have said, this would increase the chance for user error if other drivers got in. Yes, i know there are custom profiles, but if i am with a someone who also has a key to my vehicle, it often does not know who is driving.

 

[hemiarch]

I have occasionally used the scroll wheel on the left to change tracks, or try to, and instead accidentally increased the volume. I think the movements are so close together that the chances of user error would be increased to the point of annoyance. With that being said, no, I think the current layout is best and I don't think an option to remap the functions would be appropriate. As others have said, this would increase the chance for user error if other drivers got in. Yes, i know there are custom profiles, but if i am with a someone who also has a key to my vehicle, it often does not know who is driving.

This I can agree with. I think it would be a big help if they put little raised bits on the sides of the roller which made the ball easier to toggle left and right.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

OP keeps making confident statements with factual assuredness, while the assertions are in reality (1) opinions and (2) mostly based on historical familiarity and comfort with an older paradigm. The stalk vs button controversy and squirkle vs circle preference is entirely based on resistance to change, not superior vs inferior. Same for the mass media conclusions about eliminating buttons and dials in favor of the touch screen. Folks are reaching conclusions based on initial impressions, and most would change perspective with a few weeks' experience.

The turn signals are the same as found on many motorcycles. There are three basic motorcycle signal switch formats. I have each of them on different bikes. None of them has a stalk, all are some form of button or toggle. I never have to look down to signal. Ever. I also never need to look down when driving my CT because it's now in hard coded memory.

What troubles me is switching to my wife's '26 Juniper MY with its evidence of Tesla wimping out on resetting muscle memory in favor of mass market hysteria akin to this entire post.

 

[Aces Deuce's]

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!

Having options is great. I approve of this.

 

[CyberGus]

One of the early complaints with the yoke was that "you can't free your hands up and drive with your knee". IMHO that's a feature, not a bug.

While a round wheel certainly enables the "slide though the fingers" technique, this is a bad practice that lacks precision and control. You will never ever see a professional driver release the wheel.

Just because the squircle has room for improvement does not mean it was the wrong choice.

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