‘I’m a mechanic - fix your car’s broken touch buttons with a $15 DIY air hack’

A mechanic has shown why you don’t need to panic if your car’s touch controls begin malfunctioning, especially if you’ve recently washed its interior. 

This video’s auto technician, Andy, says in a TikTok that his garage had finished wiping down the interior of a client’s 2015 Lincoln MKZ sedan when the model’s touch controls linking to features like its heating and air conditioning began activating themselves without user input.

Andy notes in the video filmed for Royalty Auto Service’s (@royaltyautoservice) TikTok page that wiping or detailing interiors can result in moisture from cleaning products working themselves into the touch control’s contacts. 

The mechanic reports this issue is prevalent in newer Ford models featuring touch control technology. 

Andy was shocked that this customer’s touch controls went sideways because the garage’s technicians didn’t spray cleaning liquid directly onto the buttons. 

READ MORE: ‘I'm a supercar expert - 10 hidden features within Porsche's wild $241,000 992 GT3 RS'

Instead, the garage sprayed cleaning solution onto a microfiber towel before applying the liquid.

However, he adds that you can solve this dilemma by blowing the touch controls with air and letting the area dry. 

Drivers may use an inexpensive blow dryer to accomplish Andy’s suggestion.

However, a more professional and equally cost-effective approach would involve using an air blow gun like technicians in garages.

While some blow guns cost around $70 — you can find several smaller models for about $15 that will do the job. 

In addition to drying surfaces, mechanics often use blow guns to clean automotive parts like engine and brake components — so dealing with a limited area like interior touch controls shouldn’t require a larger air gun.