For anyone that owns a car, uses car sharing services or simply enjoys riding in the passenger seat, you undoubtedly spend many hours each week in a vehicle. Unless you have spent hours pouring over the manual in your glove box, chances are you don’t know every little detail about your vehicle. Sure, you know how to start it, turn on the lights, pop the trunk, and everything else that is necessary, but do you know what some of the hidden features are?
Car manufacturers have a reason for every little thing that is included on the exterior and interior of a vehicle. You might not realize that a color coding system is there to tell you something, or that a hidden button might pop open a specific compartment in your vehicle. Some cars have neckwarmers, cameras to watch traffic lights, and so much more. With so many hidden features at your fingertips, you must be excited to learn all about what your car can do. Prepare to be amazed by some of these hidden features, that you may not have ever known about. Keep scrolling to find out all of the tricks to maximize your time in your vehicle.
A Little Bit Of Color Coding
Color coding varies by brand, but once you know the color coding scheme for your vehicle it is easy to follow. Pop the hood, and have a look at your all powerful engine. There should be yellow, blue, green, or red colored parts on the engine. These colors correspond to what part of the engine you are examining.
For example, the brake fluid or dipstick should be a specific color to let you know what they are. Knowing your way around these colors will make it easy to determine if it is time for a trip to the mechanic’s shop, as you will know exactly which part of the engine is malfunctioning.
Start Scraping
When winter rolls around, it’s important to always have an ice scraper in your vehicle. A couple hours parked outside, can mean a layer of ice that needs to be scraped off.
Some manufacturers have begun including a carefully hidden ice scraper inside the flap where the opening to the fuel tank is.
Hidden Handles
A lot of car brands like to hide certain items like door handles. They aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing items to look at, but they are necessary.
When it comes to the trunk, many brands have hidden the handle in the car logo itself. Always give the logo a push to find out if one has been hidden.
Shopping Bag Hooks
Shopping is a lot of fun, as is getting some delicious takeout for dinner. After spending the time browsing through the shops, and picking up some food a lot of drivers don’t want to simply place the bags on the seats of their vehicle.
Takeout can be greasy, and ruin upholstery if it leaks. That’s why car manufacturers added some handy hooks behind the front seats to hang bags from. No clothing will be wrinkled, and no food will get anywhere it shouldn’t.
Storage Compartments
Storage is one of the most important features that a vehicle can have. Some of the storage is basic like the trunk, while other brands offer hidden storage compartments such as those for hiding valuables.
Get to know your vehicle by looking at the manual and determining where all of the hidden storage compartments are. This will come in handy when you need to bring a bunch of food to the beach, or hide a wallet in a place no potential thieves will find it.
Hidden Cup Holders
Car enthusiasts love to pop the hood, and have a look at the engine. Showing off your new V8 engine, and all the bells and whistles is pretty cool.
While you’re having a look at the engine, you might want to place your coffee cup on the ground. But wait, there is a hand cup holder built under the hood of some vehicles!
Hiding Easter Eggs
Easter Eggs aren’t just for bunnies. Car companies like to hide little messages around the body of their vehicles for owners to find. Some of these might be pictures of old models of the vehicle etched into a wheel well, or a quote from the creator.
The trick is to carefully examine all the parts of your vehicle when you purchase it, and keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place. If you still can’t find those Easter Eggs, hop on Reddit and someone in one of the forums will be able to point you in the right direction.
Flower Power
The 1960s were all about rolling around in camper vans in cool colors like mint green and orange. One item that some brands featured was an adorable little vase next to the steering wheel that had just enough room for a couple of flowers.
This allowed all of the groovy hippies to have some flower power right next to them while they drove. A lot of people who own these vintage vans may not realize that those vases are for flowers, and instead have used them for toothpicks, pens, and any other odds and ends that might fit inside.
Collapsible Seats
Not all cars are built the same. Some cars have been created to get you places fast, like sports cars, while others have been created with a bit more functionality in mind. If you own a car that is on the more functional side, have a look at the seats.
They might just fold down all the way, creating a hollow interior which makes transporting furniture, boxes, and any other large items easy. This is an amazing feature for anyone going camping with a lot of gear, or planning on doing a big grocery shop at the local bulk store.
Automatic Brake Dryers
High performance vehicles are designed with the driver in mind. Not only do they need to go fast, but they also need to have special features that keep the driver and passengers safe. One system that certain brands include is a brake drying system.
As soon as it starts raining, and the windshield wipers start going, the brake drying system turns on. This allows the brakes to remain responsive during poor weather conditions, and helps a vehicle to avoid any slippage or hydroplaning.
No More Over Filling
Filling up car tires is a part of being a car owner. Over time, they do begin to deflate. Each car brand requires a certain pressure, and as of 2008 a pressure monitoring system is actually built-in to the car itself.
When it comes time to fill up those tires, your car will tell you if they are full by letting a loud horn blast out. As soon as you hear the horn, it is time to stop filling up those tires and double check the pressure with a gauge.
Keep Necks Warm
Convertibles are amazing for cruising down highways in the summer, and letting the wind blow through your hair. However, as soon as fall starts to creep in, driving with the top down can get a bit cold on the neck.
Luckily, a lot of car brands have found a solution to this problem. Not only do they offer heated seats, but they have incorporated neck warmers into the design of the seat itself. This will keep the driver and passengers warm all throughout those fresh fall drives.
Seatbelts Everyone
Seatbelts are mandatory by law. Every passenger and driver should wear one while driving. They are designed to keep everyone safe in the event of an accident. Before a driver starts driving, they should check that every passenger has their seatbelt on.
Newer cars have a handy indicator that tells them which passengers are buckled in and which aren’t. Always check this to keep everyone safe.
Traffic Light Sensor
A lot of new vehicles come with front and rear cameras that make backing up, and driving forward hassle-free. Some vehicles go one step further, and have a built-in traffic light watcher.
This little sensor has the ability to gauge the speed of surrounding traffic, and determine when a light is about to change. For the impatient driver, this is a great invention as it will keep you from driving through a traffic light and moderate your speed while in traffic.
Time For A Break?
Driving long distances tires a lot of drivers out. That’s why some car brands have begun including detectors for when drivers may be feeling drowsy. If a driver is swerving, the detector will come on and alert the driver that it may be time for them to pullover for a nap.
It’s important to listen to your body during this time, because a sleepy driver is not a safe driver. Keep yourself and your fellow drivers safe by only driving when you are well-rested.
A Hidden Vacuum
Detailing a car takes a lot of time. The dash needs to be wiped down, the windows cleaned, and every nook and cranny vacuumed. Some drivers pay for this service, while others prefer to do it themselves.
Some brands have made this process easier by including a built-in vacuum in the trunk of the car. It’s easy to pull out and maneuver around the interior of the car. Now there is no reason not to clean!
Go With Aluminum
Did you know that the heavier a vehicle is, the more fuel it will need? A lot of car and truck manufacturers have moved away from using steel for the body of the car, and switched to aluminum instead.
Aluminum is a lighter material, which means that a car made from this material will be more fuel efficient. Take this into consideration when deciding on what vehicle to buy next. Using less fuel is better for your wallet, and for the environment.
Going Hands-Free
All of the sensors that modern vehicles have nowadays are pretty amazing. Some vehicles have a sensor that automatically pops the trunk open, which makes it easy for someone who has their hands full.
Gone are the days of reaching into your pockets and searching for your keys to open the trunk. Now, some vehicles can sense the keys and will open the trunk if you are standing close to it.
Look For The Arrow
Buying a new vehicle is exciting. You get to show it off, and learn all about the new features. When it comes time to fill it up at the gas station, some people may forget what side the gas tank is on.
To avoid confusion, simply look at the gas gauge. It will have an arrow either pointing left or right. The direction it is pointing, is the side that the gas tank is on. For someone who uses a ride sharing service, this will be a life saver.
Understanding Road Conditions
Newer vehicles come equipped with a variety of new indicators, one of which is the road condition indicator. Depending on the temperature outside, a vehicle can now determine what the road conditions might be.
If it is very cold, it’s likely that the roads will be icy, which the indicator will tell the driver by signalling a snowflake. This will allow drivers to decide if they need four-wheel drive to cope with the change in conditions.
A Little Help From AI
A lot of people don’t think about the fact that their vehicles have a built-in computer system ready to assist them. This version of artificial intelligence has been designed to keep drivers safe through a number of mechanisms.
The sensors in the system can detect pedestrians that might walk into the path of the vehicle, as well as helping drivers to back into tight parking spaces. This is a great system for anyone who is new to driving.
The Pop Down Mirror
Family vehicles like minivans and sports utility vehicles tend to be on the bigger side. Due to this, holding a conversation with the passengers in the back, or keeping an eye on kids can be tough. To make this easier, a lot of brands have installed a ‘conversation mirror.’
This mirror pops down, and provides a view of the backseats. Moms and dads will always know what their kids are up to if they use this neat feature.
Mood Lighting
Driving a night does require a bit of light inside of the vehicle. Normally, the dashboard will light up and in newer cars there may be some strips of ambient light.
These strips of light are placed around the bottom of doors, the handles, and anywhere else a passenger or driver might need some extra light. What makes this lighting cool, is that it is customizable and a vehicle owner can decide exactly what light suits their driving mood.
Caught In The Rain
Mother Nature is unpredictable, and sometimes a clear sunny day can turn to a dark rainy one in a matter of minutes. For drivers, it is a good idea to always keep an umbrella in the vehicle.
Making a mad dash to a store or restaurant through the pouring rain is less than ideal. Some car manufacturers have thought about this, and installed hidden umbrellas in the doors of certain vehicles. No driver will ever be caught in the rain, if they have one of these nifty car umbrellas.
A Quiet Drive
For people who spend a lot of time on the road, listening to the cacophony of honking horns, squealing tires, and the other sounds of traffic can be distracting. That’s why a lot of brands have begun employing the noise cancelling technology used in headphones.
This tech makes the inside of a car silent, by listening to the ambient noise and then creating a noise that cancels those sounds out. Talking in a car won’t be difficult with this, because the interior will be nice and quiet.
Moveable Mirrors
The front mirror of a vehicle has been designed to be moved around by the driver. Some mirrors have controls that do this automatically for you, while others require the manual approach – that’s right moving it with your hand.
Depending on the time of day, you will want the mirror to be either angled up or angled down. See which view gives you the best spacial awareness to drive safely from your point A to point B.
A Little Bit Of Stability
Vehicles can skid or hydroplane if drivers are very careful. One feature that can help drivers maintain control of their vehicle, is the electronic stability control. This feature can be turned on automatically or manually depending on the driver’s decision.
It will lock the brakes to prevent a car from skidding. You will know the feature is turned on when the skidding car icon appears on the dash. Always be careful when driving on a wet or icy road.
Staying Centered
Cruise control has been around for decades, but now there are special lane-centering sensors. These sensors differ from the classic cruise control, because they give the driver a warning should they begin to veer out of their lane.
This is another great sensor for the drive that may be drowsy, as it will alert them to any swerving and help them stay in their lane until they can safely pull off of the road.
The Integrated Bike Rack
One feature that cycling enthusiasts have to have is the integrated bike rack. A lot of car manufacturers that make hatchback vehicles, have begun adding a bike rack feature that slides out of the back of the car.
These racks are completely hidden, unless you know what to look for.
Understanding ABS Brakes
Brakes are pretty important. Without brakes your vehicle will not be able to stop, unless something gets in its way and forces it to stop. To ensure that a vehicle always brakes when it needs to, and doesn’t when it shouldn’t, anti-lock brakes were installed.
This is the norm for vehicles, and it means that if brakes begin to seize when they shouldn’t, that a hydraulic system will force them to release.
Head’s Up
In most states it is illegal to text and drive. Texting or checking a cellphone is a major distraction for drivers, and it can lead to accidents. A lot of car brands are now installing what is known as a heads-up display.
This display is right in front of the driver, and it will tell them important information like the speed limit, how fast they are driving, and what song is currently playing in the car. All of this is to keep drivers from being on their phones.
Know Your Blind Spots
Vehicles have blind spots, that is a fact. But knowing where those blind spots are is very important. To help drivers make decisions when driving, such as changing lanes, a blind spot detector will initiative.
Vehicles with this installed, will be able to see video footage of what is in their blind spots. This helps them to navigate more safely on the road.
Bluetooth
Checking your phone is a major no-no when it comes to driving, but with smartphone integration via Bluetooth this can be done in a semi-safe way. It is possible to take calls while driving as long as it is hands-free.
The way to do this is through tethering your smartphone to your vehicle’s operating system. If you are going to use this tool, do it before you start driving, not during, as it may be a distraction.
A Massage
An amazing feature that high-end vehicles have begun to roll out are seat massagers. If you have a crick in your neck, or a knot in your back then make sure to use this feature.
This is also a great way to stay awake, and arrive at your destination completely refreshed. We have to admit, this is one feature we might want to use while we aren’t driving.
Where’s The Van?
Easter eggs are popular across a lot of brands, but sometimes they can be found on a car accessory rather than embedded into the body of a vehicle.
Some van companies have been making vans for decades, and to honor these, the shape of all the generations of vans can be seen on the floor mat in the front seat. Take a look at your mat, and see what’s hiding in the pattern.
Look For The Jaguar
Not all car brands have the time or money to put into creating hidden features. Luxury car brands do though.
If you have a careful look at certain brands, you will see neat features like headlights with jaguars and a small cub built-in or unique logos inscribed along the windshield.
Fuel Cap Spoon
When it comes time to fill up a car with gas, there are a few things to watch out for. For one, the fuel cap has to be taken out.
That cap doesn’t need to dangle though, instead it can be carefully hooked into a spoon attached to the car. This is one of those tricks we have TikTok to thank for.
Location Is Everything
Cars are manufactured all across the United States, but certain companies are known for having manufacturing plants in places like Detroit, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.
In an ode to their origins, some brands have inserted the area code that belongs to their factories to recognize where they were built.
A Handy Roadmap
Cell phone GPS’s are the go to for all road trip enthusiasts, but it never hurts to have a paper map on hand.
This is especially true if you hit a no service zone. Some brands have built-in maps on the rubber mats in their vehicles, which showcase popular travel routes through areas like Moab, Utah.
The Conversion Console
You never know when you’re going to need to convert something from the imperial system to the metric system.
Luckily, if you own a truck with a console that features an engraved conversion chart you will always be ready to offer up some mathematical equations and wow your passenger with your mad math skills.
Race Track Maps
Anyone who enjoys playing racing video games knows the shape of famous racetracks around the world.
Racing brands that have high performance vehicles that compete in Formula 1 and Grand Prix events, have begun including maps of their favorite race tracks. Have a look in your sports car, and you might just find one.
A Musical Interlude
Cruising in a car with your favorite song blasting is a great way to pass some time. Some car companies have taken this to the next left by installing a full-on musical interlude mode.
You press the right button, and boom – classical music starts playing, along with doors moving up and down, and lights flashing.
In-Car Video Games
Most new cars come equipped with a tablet like dash. You can swipe through your favorite songs, watch movies, and even play some pre-programmed video games.
To access these, you will need to determine which button needs to be pressed. In some cars it is the Autopilot button, but we would recommend researching this for your own specific vehicle.
Submarine Or Car?
Some of those car computers come equipped with some really neat features. Instead of looking like a car in the image on screen, different types of transport can be chosen.
If you want to be a submarine instead of a car, just find the right hidden button combo. It wouldn’t be a hidden feature without a bit of trial and error.
A Name To Match The Diameter
A lot of vehicles have numbers in their names, like ‘86’ for example. Some manufacturers have tried to add a sense of symmetry to their vehicles by manufacturing parts that are also 86mm in diameter like exhaust tips.
Measure various parts of your car to find out if their measurements match the number in the name.
Watch Out For Sharks
Every car company has its own special symbol or Easter egg that it is known for. One popular brand decided they needed an aquatic animal to represent them.
They settled on a shark, and began hiding it in the plastic wall panels, and other plastic parts in the interior of their cars. Keep an eye out for these, and guess the brand.
Just Press Play
The pedal arrangement across cars is dependent on whether it is automatic or manual. However, some manufacturers have begun to look at the pedals like buttons on a remote control.
The ‘play’ symbol is engraved on the gas pedal, and the ‘stop’ symbol is engraved on the brake. Look down at your pedals to see if you have these.
Spot The Spider
Keeping kids entertained on a long drive can be tough. You don’t want to give them a tablet for the entire time, which is why some manufacturers have included little puzzles for kids to find.
One brand decided that kids should look all over the backseat for a hidden spider that is dangling off a web. This sounds like an ode to the famous Charlotte’s Web story.
Circular Air-Con
On a hot summer’s day, every driver will want their air conditioning on. It cools down the car, and makes the driving experience that much more enjoyable.
Some cars have circular air-con vents, and that’s for a reason. Simply twisting the vent will lessen the air, and sometimes manage the temperature.
Keep Hands Toasty
Driving for hours can be a cold business. Your hands have to stay on the steering wheel to make sure you get where you need to go safely.
For the drivers that always have cold hands, a heated steering wheel is a must. This is one of those special features you can get as an add-on.