3 Tips to Make Volkswagen’s MIB3 Touchscreen System Easier to Use

Volkswagen’s latest MIB3 infotainment system has received mixed reviews from testers, us included. Although the software itself is responsive and easy enough to operate, on newer Volkswagen models, the pure touchscreen controls have stifled many a user.

With just an audio volume slider and Heat/Cool HVAC touch buttons under the screen, some find it hard to navigate the system’s various menus. Finding the exact feature or function isn’t always straight forward.

So, we’re here to help. After spending many weeks with it in a variety of products, we’ve come up with three quick tips that may help owners better navigate the system.

The home screen is a lot like a smartphone. There are widgets that can be customized to show a variety of different information. The widgets are of different sizes and can be moved around the screen. The layout of the widgets can also be customized.

To get started, touch and hold a finger on the screen. After a few seconds the edit mode will appear. From here, click on the widget and select what to display in it. It’s also possible to add more pages to the home screen (swipe left or right to see the existing pages, use the + button to create more)

We set our Atlas Cross Sport up to have the navigation in the large square to the left. This allowed more map to be shown. We put the audio in the medium size screen as this displays channel, artist, song, and has buttons to change the channel. In the smaller widgets, the audio channel changing buttons are not there, nor all the information. For the last two screens we utilized them as quick shortcuts. Vehicle and paired phone were our two choices here.

But it’s up to you to set it however you want. With the most important menus/options readily available on the home screen, it makes operation of the MIB3 system much easier.

This one is for my fellow radio listeners. Whether it be SiriusXM, FM, or AM, it’s a great idea to take the time and add your favorite channels to the Presets and Favorites section. Once this is complete, make sure in the audio options, the steering wheel mounted tuner button is set to scroll through only presets and not all stations.

This allows easy scrolling through the music/sports/talk you want without even taking your hand off the wheel. In fact, being a physical button, it can be used just by feel without having to look down at it. This is especially beneficially with the MIB3 system as there is no physical tuner button or dial. To change channels requires manually looking at and tapping through the various on-screen controls. Not only does setting favorites and using the wheel mounted controls make it easier, it’s also safer for driving.

Many infotainment systems now have the climate controls within the touch screen, MIB3 included. As is customary in the industry, and convenient, there is a shortcut button to the climate control on the home screen. Clicking in the lower left-hand corner where the temperature and seat buttons are located will bring up the climate menu.

For quick temperature adjustments from the driver or front seat passenger, there are touch controls right under the screen. At night these are not illuminated so using them is a bit of a guessing game. We found it easier to just use the on-screen menu to make any heating or cooling changes.

An extra option is the Climate button located further down the center stack. This might be easier for front seat passengers to access, and it brings up the same climate control menu screen. Oh, and if you can’t find the front or rear window defrost, look down by your left knee where the exterior light controls are.

Although none of these tips are revolutionary ideas, we hope they help Volkswagen owner’s better enjoy their vehicles.

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