Mechanic Works On Chevrolet Tahoe. Then He Sees An Unusual New Button: ‘That’s A Big Fat Nope’

Car manufacturers are always innovating, introducing the latest models with technology and design updates to enhance the driver's experience. Some of these updates improve the vehicle, while others completely ruin it. 

In a TikTok with over 328,100 views as of this writing, mechanic @sl1ppy_gt showcases the unusual new button that is featured in the Chevrolet Tahoe that completely disgusted him.

The mechanic reveals that he went to move the Tahoe only to find the gear shifter is not in its usual place. 

“I went to, like, move this new Tahoe, and I’m like—” the mechanic begins. He waves his arm up and down behind the steering wheel, looking for a column shifter. This type of shifter feels almost standard for large SUVs like the Tahoe. So, he believed that a column shifter should be there.

However, the mechanic realized where the new shifter is located, and it’s in an unusual spot. 

The gear shifter is located directly next to the infotainment system and is now made up of buttons, rather than being the traditional gear shift in the driver’s center console area.

The mechanic expresses a loud noise of disapproval and disgust after selecting the drive button. 

“Ugh,” he concludes. 

What Happened To Column Shifters?

Car manufacturers have gotten creative with the types of gear shifters being installed in new models. These new shifters include knobs, dials, and buttons, to name a few. 

While many car manufacturers have opted to reinvent their gear shifters, many drivers are lost about the reasoning.

Questions about the choice include the type of gear shifter and also its new location. One woman couldn’t believe the gear shifter knob was right next to the radio volume knob, making the two challenging to distinguish. 

The mechanic isn’t the only one bothered by Chevrolet’s gearshift placement. One GMC Acadia owner was caught off guard to discover the gear selector was a set of buttons on the center console below the infotainment system. 

With all this being said, what happened to the classic column shifter behind the steering wheel? 

This shifter was once the standard in the 1970s for both automatic and manual transmissions, and many still miss column shifters dearly. 

According to SlashGear, when car manufacturers decided to transition away from bench seats to bucket seats in the front, this allowed for a change to floor-mounted shifters. The center floor space was no longer needed to accommodate an additional passenger, and the center console was installed. Having a floor shifter made it easier for the driver to operate. By removing the column shifter, the manufacturer can add more controls. 

Gallery: 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe

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‘I Literally Gag At All These New Gear Shifts’

Viewers in the comments section shared their disapproval of the newest innovations in gear shifters.

“I literally gag at all these new gear shifts,” one TikTok commenter wrote. 

“Don’t like that one bit,” another chimed in. 

“The THINIST silver lining is that at least it's a physical switch. The dial shifters have to be the worst invention of mankind,” a third added. 

Some viewers provided hypothetical scenarios involving the gear shifter button that certainly aren’t ideal.

“Imagine trying to do a [U-]turn in a small road,” one commented. 

“Tries to change radio station, [mistakenly] puts vehicle in reverse at 75 MPH,” one wrote.

Others believe there’s no chance those buttons will hold up over time. 

“I just know [those] buttons are gonna break,” one speculated. 

“That’s definitely popping off two days out of warranty,” another said. 

Motor1 has contacted @sl1ppy_gt via TikTok direct message and a comment on the post. This post will be updated if he replies.

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