I think you've got the wrong idea about tire pressure monitors

Yes, they help save fuel and that's one reason why they are mandated. I can't recall the statistic, but the fuel wasted by low tire pressures is a staggering stat. And, yes, consumers should simply check their own tire pressures.

But the other reason stems from low profile sidewalls. Back in the day, with 85 series sidewalls you KNEW when you had a flat tire. Over the years we went from 85 to 75 to 70..... now 65 is the norm and 45 is common even on pedestrian sedans and SUVs. Even 25 series are out there!! Those low sidewalls really mask the symptoms of low pressure, or even completely flat tires. But in an emergency manuever, they cause a loss of control leading to an accident or rollover. You might have checked your pressure before you left, hit a road hazard as you drove, and had a complete loss of pressure and not even been aware until it's time to turn. That wasn't the case "back in the day". And what does a TPMS cost? About $50 at the oe level. Not a big deal, reall. Not when your average car is over $30K.....

I don't get the big deal.

Once you are aware that removing the key requires some tactile action on your part it becomes automatic.

Turn key counter clockwise, hit release with your thumb as you reach the detent, remove key.

I don't even think of it, it becomes second nature.

What I find highly annoying are cars with no keys at all but just a fob and stupid push button.

Once you get used to it, if it's a proximity key that you can leave in your pocket, having to fumble for keys gets REALLY annoying

Pushbutton/proximity is da bomb