10 small useful parts on cars that not everyone knows

1. Small slots on the dashboard

Many long-time car users still mistakenly think that the small slots on the dashboard, near the A-pillar, are the air vents of the air conditioning system. However, these slots are designed to be fixed diagonally outward and cannot be adjusted.

According to technical experts, these slots, in addition to ventilation, also have the function of directing wind to dry the side windows, helping the driver easily observe the rearview mirror.

This windshield defroster function is effective when driving in foggy areas and in the rain.

2. Small lever on the steering wheel

This is a gear shift lever usually combined on the steering wheel. Although it is very small, it has many uses such as: Saving fuel, dealing with slippery roads, overtaking on the road, overcoming difficult terrain, helping to go uphill and downhill effectively and helping the vehicle to effectively limit speed when the brakes fail.

3. Rear trunk release lever

In situations such as children playing and being locked in the trunk, the car having an accident and falling into a lake, or even you being kidnapped and locked in the luggage compartment, the mechanism to open the trunk from the inside will help rescue you in the above cases.

Depending on the car brand, the opening lever will have a different shape, usually it will be a piece of plastic that glows in the dark and is connected to a cable. When you pull it, the trunk will automatically pop open.

4. Fuel tank cap location displayed on the dashboard

If you borrow someone else’s car, you may not notice which side the gas cap is on when you need to fill up. There is a small symbol on the dashboard, this triangle next to the gas tank. The sharp corner is facing whichever side of the car the gas cap is on.

5. Rear door safety lock

There are many cases where the person sitting in the second row opens the door suddenly, causing an accident for the car behind. Therefore, car manufacturers often add a safety latch located on the inside edge of the door, which has the effect of locking the driver's side rear door to ensure safety when getting in and out.

You may have seen taxis often use this feature to prevent passengers unfamiliar with the car from opening the door unexpectedly when stopping to drop off passengers. In addition, this is also called a child lock that prevents them from opening the door while the car is moving.

6. Lever behind the interior rearview mirror

Some “new drivers” when driving a car often only adjust the angle of the inside rearview mirror without knowing about switching the anti-glare mode in the mirror. Except for high-end car models that are often designed with rearview mirrors integrated with automatic anti-glare function, the remaining car models can be controlled to switch the anti-glare mode in the mirror with a small lever usually located behind the mirror.

When dazzled by headlights of vehicles behind or environmental lighting conditions, the driver just needs to push down the small lever behind the mirror, the mirror will be anti-glare to ensure visibility.

7. Small cover on front bumper

In addition to the sensor buttons, on the front bumper of some car models there is often a small cover that can be removed and opened. This detail is simply to cover the cable hook placed inside to ensure the aesthetics of the design. When the car is stuck in the mud, or the engine dies and needs another car to winch. The user opens the cover to find the hook to hook the cable.

8. Shift Lock button

Normally, for automatic cars, when the engine is turned off, you cannot shift gears from P to N, R or D. In case the car stalls in the middle of the road, if you lack experience, you will not know how to safely pull the car to the side of the road. Manufacturers have made a small pin to be able to shift gears without starting the car.

This button is called “Shiftlock”, usually “hidden” under a plastic cover arranged around the gear lever or above the steering wheel shaft. You just need to remove the plastic cover, press the small latch underneath and shift gears, ask for help to push the car to a safe position.

9. Symbols on the inside of the luggage compartment door

Some current car models are equipped with a safety lock that opens the trunk from the inside when all doors are locked. On SUV, Crossover or Hatchback models, this part is mounted on the inside of the luggage compartment door and is covered by a small cover. On Sedan models, it is often designed more simply with a small lever or pull rod.

10. Cigarette lighter

For drivers who smoke, this function is used frequently, but many non-smoking drivers, especially women, often do not understand how to use this part.

To light the cigarette, the driver presses the tip of the cigarette holder firmly into the gate, waits for a while for the coil in the holder to burn sufficiently, the holder will automatically pop out. Then the driver uses it like a lighter to light the cigarette.Many people do not know, often press and pull and touch, leading to burns.

Nowadays, drivers often buy this detail as an additional port to convert from cigarette lighter to USB to charge phones or listen to music.