The automotive industry is constantly evolving and one of the aspects on which it places greatest emphasis is related to safety. Cars incorporate an increasing variety of elements and functions to guarantee safety, to the point that the European Union requires that new vehicles sold in its territory be equipped with driving assistance systems (ADAS). acronym in English).
However, beyond these technological advances, there is a set of secrets that remain hidden in each car and that many drivers are unaware of. For the most part, these are practical functions that often go unnoticed and that provide invaluable help to motorists, either to enhance their safety or to make their driving experience more comfortable, as we will see below.
The seat belt is a key piece of passive safety. When fastening it, an ingenious mechanism composed of a spring and a coil comes into play that guarantees its optimal fit, allowing a comfortable range of movements while driving. In the event of sudden braking or stopping, a locking system is activated ensuring that the belt remains tight to protect the occupant.
A lesser known feature is the button at the end of the belt strap. Although it may seem insignificant, it has a hidden purpose. This button acts as a strategically placed stopper, preventing the buckle from sliding towards the other end of the strap when not in use. In this way, the user does not need to adjust the belt every time, as the button ensures that the buckle is always ready for immediate use.
Every new vehicle includes a discreet cover, often camouflaged on the front or rear bumper, that tends to go unnoticed. This small hatch houses an anchor point designed to connect a trailer hitch, useful in breakdown or collision situations. This feature has been in compliance with European Union regulations since November 2010 and has the purpose of speeding up the evacuation of the car in urgent circumstances to clear the road.
The remote control for opening and closing car doors is an extremely convenient accessory, especially in charging situations. However, this device goes beyond its widely recognized function. In addition to their normal use, most controls are programmed to manage the opening and closing of car windows. Pressing and holding the unlock button for a few seconds will slide the windows down, and doing the same with the lock button will raise them again.
A small button or lever at the bottom of the rearview mirror holds a secret that solves a crucial need: glare. This system actually allows you to adjust the angle of the mirror to avoid glare generated by the misaligned lights of following vehicles or the sun's rays penetrating through the rear window.
Manipulating this button, which some manufacturers present as a discreet tab, allows you to modify the angle of the rearview mirror. This simple adjustment results in a direct solution to prevent glare which, in driving situations, can be dangerous by momentarily distracting the driver's attention.
The car's air conditioning system incorporates an air recirculation button, which must be used in specific situations to optimize its performance. The air conditioning process involves taking air from the outside environment and cooling it using a compressor before injecting it into the vehicle's interior. Initially, after starting the engine, it is advisable to keep the windows open for the first few minutes to allow the passenger compartment to cool down.
Once the interior has cooled slightly, it is time to activate the air recirculation button. This feature directs the air conditioning system to draw air from the already cooler interior of the vehicle instead of pulling hot air from the outside environment. With this simple gesture, we will ensure that the system requires less effort to cool the air, which consequently reduces the effort of the engine and, consequently, energy consumption.
Adjusting the position of the steering wheel for maximum driving comfort is easier than it seems. In many vehicles, the key is a small lever located at the base of the steering wheel, at the height of the steering column. By interacting with this lever, the steering wheel unlocks, allowing it to be adjusted. From there, drivers can modify both the height and depth, adapting the steering wheel to their personal preferences.
Once it has been set in the ideal position, simply return the lever to its original position to lock the steering wheel in the new configuration. Similarly, many steering wheels also offer the ability to adjust their position fore and aft, which is accomplished using a button or lever located at the base of the steering column.
Inside the glove box (whose position varies depending on the model), there is a button that, when pressed, allows cold air to enter the storage compartment. This way, you can keep drinks cool and enjoy them at any time. To activate it, you just need to adjust the air conditioning temperature and then press the button located in the glove box. This ingenious system takes advantage of the car's air conditioning to keep drinks at the ideal temperature.
