Most of us drivers spend hours in our cars without realizing there are hidden features designed to make life easier and, beyond the basics, manufacturers have included lots of little things that we usually ignore! It’s a shame because a lot of these features would make driving much easier than it normally is. Here are 11 hidden car features that might be in your vehicle. They’re simply waiting to be discovered—so go ahead and use them!
Featured Image Credit: IgorTishenko/Depositphotos.com.
Hidden Emergency Trunk Release
You’ll find a small emergency release lever inside the trunk of most cars—it’s there in case someone gets trapped and it’s usually in a bright color or coated with glow-in-the-dark paint so you’re able to see it even in the darkness. Pulling this lever pops the trunk open from the inside, which may be rather important during some dangerous scenarios. Knowing how to use this feature will give you some peace of mind, even if you hope you’ll never need it.
Hidden Shopping Bag Hooks
Some trunks or cargo areas include fold-out hooks that hold shopping bags in place, that help keep groceries & other purchases from tipping over while you drive. They’re usually hidden against the side walls or hidden near the edges—so you might not spot them unless you look carefully! Yet it’s a simple feature that’ll save you from a messy trunk and you should look inside your car’s rear area to see if they’re there.
Fuel Gauge Arrow Indicates Fuel Cap Side
A lot of people overlook the tiny arrow beside the fuel pump icon on your dashboard but that arrow points to the side of your vehicle where the fuel cap is located. It’s especially useful when you’re driving a rental or a friend’s car but can’t remember which side to use at the gas station—simply look at the gauge. Then you’ll know exactly where to pull in without any awkward maneuvers or turning around at the pump!
Key Fob Contains a Hidden Physical Key
You might think everything about your keyless entry fob is digital yet there’s a hidden mechanical key inside that’s meant to help you in case the fob’s battery dies or the electronic system acts up. There’s usually a small button or a sliding cover on the side that’ll show you the backup key. As such, you’ll still be able to unlock your door or start the ignition, even if technology fails on you.
Rearview Mirror Has a Manual Night Mode
Your rearview mirror might have a simple trick for reducing glare at night as it usually has a small tab or lever at the bottom to tilt the mirror slightly. This manual setting keeps bright headlights from blinding you & it’ll give you a clearer view of the road. Some people never realize it’s there so they struggle with harsh reflections in their mirrors after dark—but flipping that tab could make a big difference.
Hidden Storage Under the Passenger Seat
Some cars have a storage spot under the passenger seat that many people never notice and all you have to do is lift the seat cushion or pull on a small handle to find it. It’s a hidden compartment that’s useful for stashing things you don’t want out in plain sight, like important documents or small valuables. Best of all, it’ll also help tidy up clutter so everything looks neat in the cabin.
Hidden Umbrella Compartment in the Door
Speaking of hidden storage, some vehicles also have tucked a slim umbrella compartment right into the driver’s door—in fact, some automakers put a foldable umbrella inside there for you so you’re ready for unexpected downpours. It’s out of the way, meaning that you won’t have to cram an umbrella in the trunk or behind the seats. Even though they might not always advertise such a feature, opening the door panel might reveal a spot designed just for that accessory.
“REST” Feature Keeps Cabin Warm After Engine Off
Certain vehicles come with a “REST” button on the climate control panel that uses the leftover engine heat so when you turn off the engine & press this button, the system circulates warm air through the cabin for a few minutes. It’s rather helpful if you’re running a quick errand on a cold day and don’t want everything to get chilly right away. Just press this feature and there’ll be a bit of warmth left when you return to your car!
Hidden Ice Scraper in the Fuel Door
You might think you need to hunt for your ice scraper every winter but certain cars include one in a hidden place—just check inside the fuel door or in a small compartment near it. There might be a scraper tucked away in there that’s designed to help you clear away frost or thin ice from your windows on chilly mornings. Having it right where you refuel means there’s less risk of forgetting it at home.
Quick Tap Lane Change Signals
Most modern vehicles allow you to lightly press the turn signal lever to activate a quick series of flashes for lane change, which is much better than locking the lever into a full turn signal position. Instead, tap it gently and the signal will blink three times to let other drivers know you’re moving over. It’s one of those small conveniences that’ll keep you focused on the road.
Auto-Up Window with Anti-Pinch
Your power windows likely include an auto-up function that stops if it senses something blocking the path—just hold the switch & the window glides up automatically. But if a hand or object gets in the way, the glass reverses and it’s designed to prevent accidental injuries. Most people don’t realize this feature exists because they assume windows are always manual-up & it’s worth checking to see if your car has this.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us on MSN.
