A Chrysler built Military Truck (experimental prototype) that I participated in testing ca. 1966 actually did require that you unbolt the engine mounts and lift the engine a minimum of 10 inches to change the oil filter - every 1,000 miles of the 80,000 mile test.

The (dis)service manual for a 1970 Chevrolet Van that I once had specified unbolting the engine and raising it 3 inches to change one (the #8) sparkplug. That's how they did it if you paid an "authorized service agency" to do a tuneup for you. (Recommended every 30,000 miles.) I "redesigned" that one with a hacksaw to remove about a half inch of a sheetmetal flange (non-structural) to provide enough clearance to make the change without any such crap.

On a number of the "raised black letters on black plastic" I've used "Wite-Out" or "Liquid Paper" typewriter correction fluid to paint the tops of the letters* so that they're much easier to see; although it doesn't avoid having to drag the device out of place to get it where they can be seen.

* You can also just smear it on and wipe it off the tops.

Manufacturers and their advertising/marketing people, especially for anything that's considered a "consumer" item, have no interest in whether it can be used. Their only interest is whether people will pay their money and carry it out of the store. The mantra is "Made to Sell -- Not to Use."

John