> It's a lot more important to me to know if I've lost oil pressure or am overheating.

> And if the HVAC controls are unnecessary to mess with while driving, they are still not an "edge case". Nor is the radio.

I forgot to address these sorry.

I've driven some pants cars in my time so I get it, but I'd say you be the judge of just how distracted you are with mechanical worries and if that's a safe amount or not.

I think HVAC being on tactile controls makes the difference here, but ultimately you could check them when you've stopped if it's too much of a hassle. Sometimes I try to get it set, but can't figure it out quickly, so give up and just set it at the next point I'm idling.