Today, almost every car is endowed with features that not all drivers know about. Meanwhile, these useful "features" can seriously make life easier for each of us. The problem is that most of these hidden features are used so rarely that many will never know about the pleasant features of their car.
In fact, most of these functions are universal and present in the vast majority of cars, regardless of make and model. Note that experienced drivers, most likely, they know about most of these functions, but for beginners this material can be useful and will help to learn a lot of new things.
Fuel tank indicator
Usually we do not notice this, but most of the cars love their owners and try in every possible way to suggest some useful functions to them. If you are in a new car for yourself and have not yet had time to learn which side of the gas tank is located on it, just look at dashboard - usually there is a small triangle next to the gas station icon, which indicates the correct side. But let's make a reservation right away that these days this is not relevant for all models - sometimes this icon is not.
Sun visor degrees of freedom
You can often see how the driver, squinting, tries not to be distracted by the low sun, looking into the cabin from the side and warming half of his face. Most likely, he does not know that the sun visor under the ceiling can hang on one hinge, moving towards the side window.
Disable ESP
To begin with, let us remind - and tell someone - what ESP is. This abbreviation has nothing to do with Spanish and stands for Electronic Stability Program. It can also be called ESC (Electronic Stability Control). This function active safety prevents the car from skidding by means of computer control by supplying torque to one or more wheels.
Sometimes this undoubtedly useful gadget can get in the way. For example, if you need to get a car out of a snow or mud captivity, or you just want to drift a little. In a word, if you cannot do without slipping, there is a special button with a car icon in a skid. Often you need to hold it down for a few seconds to disable the function, but sometimes a simple push is enough.
If there is no such button, but the system is there, you can simply pull out the corresponding fuse in the dashboard, but it is important not to turn off something else important along with it. We add that it will not be possible to completely disable ESP - at a dangerous moment, according to the system, it will still automatically work.
Heated side mirrors
This feature is often included in the equipment description, but many drivers do not know how it is activated. We will answer: automatically with the inclusion of heating rear window... In most cars, this function, which is useful in our country, does not have a separate button for activation. Although, for example, on many models of the Volkswagen brand, you can turn on the heated mirrors by moving the knob for their adjustment to the appropriate position.
Electronic hand brake
The overwhelming majority of drivers mistakenly believe that an electronic handbrake is a useless thing in everyday life and is used only on major holidays. In fact, the electronic handbrake can also save you while driving if the main ones fail. You just need to press a button.
Air conditioner in winter
Sometimes, even in winter, it is so damp and humid that the windows begin to sweat. If this suddenly starts to happen, just turn on the air conditioner. If it is not very frosty outside, he will cope and you will not have to constantly use a rag. And do not try to save the situation by simply blowing the windows - it often does not help.
Glass
Let's make a reservation right away that this function does not work on all cars, but if so, then you are in luck. If you hold down the unlock button on the alarm key fob for a few seconds, you can lower everything at once side windows... The lock button closes them in the same way. This is extremely useful in hot weather, when you need to expel hot air from the car.
Cars have changed over the past decades. Thanks to scientific progress, the auto industry has made a huge leap forward. ... True, not all modern functions are convenient and useful. But there are functions that are very useful and without which we cannot imagine all modern automobile transport... After all, using these in the car, we will not want to change them for something else. We want to invite our readers to familiarize themselves with some important options in the car.
10.) Rear view camera.
For many, rear visibility is so poor that it is impossible to see and understand where the rear of the car ends. This quite often leads, when driving backward or when parking, to damage the car against a pole, a fence, etc. obstacles. Thanks to the advent of the rear video camera, car manufacturers have managed to remove the most dangerous blind spot (spot) in a car. The camera reliably provides the driver with an unobstructed rear view. Now, to park in reverse, there is no need to use the side ones.
9.) Rain sensor.
Many cars today manual adjustment the speed of the wiper blades is simply absent. For the driver this is very, it automatically adjusts the speed of the windshield wipers. As soon as the glass of the car starts to get wet from rain or any moisture, the wiper blades start to turn on automatically. Thanks to this feature, drivers can now pay more attention (concentrate) to the road and not be distracted by switching wipers.
8.) Monitoring blind spots.
Modern safety standards call for more drastic measures to protect vehicles. Cars have gotten bigger and bigger in recent years. Unfortunately, due to the large side racks of the cars, their visibility has become much worse. Despite the large rear-view mirrors, which pose a danger to the car when changing lanes on the road. Luckily for us, thanks to the rapid development of technology, automakers have begun to equip their products with blind spot monitoring. The system warns the driver in advance about the danger of changing lanes if the car is in the blind zone, and another car is moving nearby in the adjacent lane (right or left).
7. Cup holders.
Despite the fact that the invention of car cup holders is not related in any way, they are very important and convenient function in car. After all, they help us keep drinking water so that while driving in hot weather we could quench our thirst, or vice versa, so that in winter time keep warm drinks in them in order to keep warm.
6. Automatic box with SynchroRev match system.
If you are a professional race car driver, then this new function automatically optimizes the coordinated operation of the engine with, it allows more efficient machine control. This technology was first introduced by Nissan. To improve handling and efficiency on the road, the control unit of the system automatically activates an increased or downshift, all depending on the engine speed and the speed of the machine. Thanks to this system, exactly the right speed is included, which will correspond to the speed of the engine itself. In addition, due to this, the stability of the machine is achieved when it passes a bend.
5. Stabilization system / Traction control.
These two options make the machines both safer and more stable on the road. Whether it is a sports one or some other, the system will in any case level the car at any slightest skid, and it will also control the car's traction, protecting it from uncontrollable skidding.
Of course, many motorists (drivers) would like to turn off this system for a while in order to feel the real pleasure of skidding, but alas, this is not possible everywhere (not on every car), although many cars still have such an opportunity. True, in most cases, this system is turned off only for a certain time.
4. Projecting the image onto the windshield.
By projecting the image onto windshield car, an important and helpful information (speed of movement, reserve and consumption of fuel, and other useful data). In addition, this function allows the driver to see exactly the most important information while not being distracted from the road.
For our part, we hope that this very option will soon become a necessary world standard for all modern cars.
3. Key for proximity access to the car.
Imagine, dear friends, that the time has come when there is no longer the need to take the key out of your pocket or bag to open the door of your apartment, house, garage, etc. You guessed it, automotive world this fantasy has already arrived. Many. The key itself wirelessly transmits the encrypted code over the radio to the machine's alarm unit. In case of a match, when the car recognizes its owner, the car door for the driver opens automatically. Also, thanks to the start / engine start button, there is no need to insert in order to start the car engine. With this technology of contactless access to the car, in order to start the engine, the driver only needs to press the "start" button and it will start.
2.) Bluetooth.
But thanks to this, the world can get rid of a lot of inconvenient wires in the car. Thanks to Bluetooth, many gadgets can now be connected to each other without any wires. Moreover, thanks to new technology in modern cars, using this very system, any of the smartphones can be connected to the car without a single wire.
1.) Heated seats / Cooled seats.
The seat heating function keeps us warm in winter, while the cooling function prevents our body from overheating in hot summer weather. Very useful functions.
Personally, I see nothing surprising or offensive in this definition. How else can a modern city dweller cope with such a powerful daily information flow? There is nothing left but to filter only the essentials. We no longer waste time studying long instructions for household appliances... Do not agree? Have you studied all the modes in your own microwave or, like most, use it only for "normal heating"?
So the car has turned into the same household item. And if from day to day you have an unknown button or lever at your fingertips, and you don't have enough time to look into the instructions, then this material is just for you.
Let's start with a useful feature for those who regularly transport children. In most modern cars, all doors are locked with one button. You cannot open the door from the outside, but it is easy from the inside. You just have to pull the handle twice to do this. What if a restless child sitting in the second row does it by accident right on the go? It's scary to imagine what the consequences might be, but there is a way out. Find at the end back door small lever and toggle it. The tailgate can now only be opened from the outside, provided, of course, the central locking is unlocked. There is a similar lever or lock that obeys the ignition key on the other tailgate. More children will not run away from you.
And even if your car has a function keyless entry, and the electronic key at first glance is devoid of a folding sting, you should know: there is always a sting. After all, if the battery is discharged, the car needs to be opened somehow. Take a closer look at the body of the electronic key or chip card. Find the retainer and remove the sting, or flip the key cover under which the sting is hidden. Now they can open the car manually and turn the rear door lock.
Power windows have a similar function. Pay attention to the fact that next to the power window control unit on driver's door there is a fifth button, but there are only four openable windows. With the help of the fifth, the window regulator buttons on the remaining doors are blocked. Click on it, and no passenger can open his window, unlike the driver. Some korean cars in this case, only the rear windows are blocked, and completely, so that the driver cannot open them either.
Now take a look at the salon mirror. If you see a mysterious LED built into the body or located on the edge of the mirror surface, then you have an electrochromic mirror (not to be confused with the usual anti-reflective coating). Electrochromic mirror prevents glare. That is, if at night a car follows you with high beam headlights, the mirror will automatically darken. Modern electrochromic mirrors use two photosensors. The first is directed forward and estimates the overall illumination. The second one goes backwards and catches the light of passing cars following you. With a significant difference, when it is dark outside and there is a bright light source behind, the electronics will give a command to dim. Well, the button is needed to disable this function (on some cars, the button needs to be held for a few seconds). If there is no LED or button, and instead of them there is a lever, then you have an ordinary mirror. In this case, just pull the lever - the angle of the mirror will change and the dazzle effect is not threatened.
In continuation of the theme, one cannot ignore one more button on the salon mirror. Not every car has this, but it serves to control door systems. That is, it is a remote control for a garage door. For example, if you have a remote control for a barrier in the yard, then you can try to program the button to open it. Convenient, especially if there are several such buttons. The main thing is to match the type of signal from the remote control: infrared (range 5–20 m) or radio (30–100 m), and in the second case, also the frequency range. But here it all depends on the specific car and gate - you can't do without instructions.
I bet the next option is in your car too, but you probably never used it. Give up? Seat belt height adjustment. The hinge on the B-pillar can be moved up and down. To do this, you need to press the corresponding button or latch. If the driver is correctly seated at the wheel, the seat belt should pass over the center of the shoulder.
And finally, "life hack". If you want the central locking to work automatically when you start driving (maybe this function was disabled previous owner vehicle), hold the door lock button for a few seconds. Will sound sound signal and voila. The function is disabled in the same way.
A car can hold many "secrets" in itself, the disclosure of which will bring you more comfort or benefit in use. As with any other type of modern technology, a modern user spends a minimum of time to study the instructions, or all the features of operation, or does not spend it at all, preferring to use only the most necessary. Now we will simultaneously show that it is very unprofitable and at the same time, we will quickly and concisely tell you what is useful in your car.
Everyone knows that when blocking car doors button from the inside, there is no access from the outside, but with back side opening the doors is easy enough - just pull the handle twice. This action is just a match for children's fun, it can turn into a real disaster if it occurs while driving on high speed... It's enough millet to protect yourself from such an outcome - at the end of any rear door there should be a small lever with which you can switch the blocking mode. By doing this, you will eliminate the possibility of accidentally opening the door from the inside when blocking the central lock.
Keyless access
Another interesting feature is the keyless entry function. In this case, a special electronic key is used to access the car, which outwardly differs greatly from the usual analogue, because at first glance it may seem that it does not have a stinger. However, not everyone knows that it does exist. This is something like insurance, in case the car's battery is completely discharged, opening the door will only be possible mechanically... To gain access to the tip, it is enough to look closely at the key or chip card case. You will definitely find a special latch, with which you can open the case in which the key is stored, or simply pull out the sting. Thus, the rear door lock is always under control.
Glass lifters
A less dangerous, but still requiring attention factor is the control of power windows. In automated systems, where the functions of lifting / lowering are carried out by electronics, the driver can control any window using the main control unit by pressing a special button associated with a specific window. In this area, a special crumpled button is highlighted, which is designed to lock all passenger windows. It is noteworthy that in some cars from Korea, only the rear windows are blocked, and so that even the driver loses access to control.
Rearview mirror
The salon mirror, at first glance, is a very primitive component, however, it may contain a rather complicated LED, mounted in the extreme part of the reflective surface. This is a feature of electrochromic glasses having anti-glare properties. It feels very well in the dark. No high-beam car can hit your eyes with brightness, as the surface immediately adjusts to the light level and gets darker.
This is possible due to the presence of special photosensors located on two opposite sides. One monitors the overall level of illumination, and the second catches the light from other people's headlights behind. The auto-dimming function is triggered by built-in electronics, which reacts to a sharp drop in light between the environment and the rays that hit the mirror. And if this option is present, the driver can always turn it off using the button, which should be located on the body of the car mirror. Owners of conventional mirrors in order to avoid glare, it is enough to adjust a simple lever located in the same place.
The salon mirror can also have additional properties. Sometimes you can find a button on it that is responsible for control over door systems, in other words, over the gate. To connect, you need the automated system itself, that is, doors that are opened with a special remote control. Then you can try to set up a link between the button on the salon mirror and the barrage control.
It so happens that there may be several such buttons. It is important that the types of remote control and button signals are compatible (radio or infrared). Radio signals have a long range, but require capturing the correct frequency range, which can only be helped by the manufacturer's instructions.
Seat belts
Almost everyone has the next function, but few people know about its existence - seat belt adjustment. To find a comfortable height, just use a special button or lock, which allows you to move the loop on the B-pillar. Remember that the loop must go through the center of the shoulder.
And as a bonus, a little life hack. If the central locking does not work when starting the car, you can manually set up auto-activation by holding your finger on the door lock button for a few seconds. In case of successful switching on, you will hear a special sound signal. The shutdown is done in the same way.
To satisfy drivers, car manufacturers are constantly improving cars in every way. New technologies make cars more economical, comfortable, powerful, safer and more reliable. Here are 10 features and options that make it hard to imagine a modern car:
1. Bluetooth
Today wireless bluetooth connection is included in standard equipment many cars. If the driver has a Windows phone or Android smartphone, then he may not be distracted by the phone while driving. Using Bluetooth, you can make calls or send messages (using speech recognition). Apple users use Siri Eyes Free, which performs roughly the same tasks. The advantage of having Bluetooth in the car is that the controls are displayed on the large on-board screen, and the sound is played through the audio speakers. The driver no longer has to fiddle with his portable device, distracting from driving.
2.USB connectors
Portable devices have become such an integral part of modern people's lives that most cars are now equipped with USB ports. This is a great way to charge accessories and listen to music through your speakers without using slow wireless connections. Now all files from a smartphone, MP3 player and flash drive are available in the car.
3. Keyless entry and engine start
Keyless entry and start function is now available for many models on the market. The touch sensor “senses” the approach of the car owner and opens the door when he approaches. When he gets into the salon, just press one button - and the engine is started. All this time, the car keys and the alarm key fob are in the pocket. This system is indispensable for women who no longer need to rummage in their purse with the words "well, where are these keys?"
4. Application integration
Application integration is becoming more common in car infotainment systems, but is rarely offered in basic configuration... To meet the growing needs of modern drivers, their portable devices are connected to the on-board computer, and their favorite applications (radio, weather, browsers, social networks) are displayed on the large screen of the center console. Again, this is more convenient and safer than driving a car with a smartphone in hand.
5. Voice recognition
The first generations of voice recognition systems often confused drivers. But now they have become much better: the processor does not just process the heard signal "as is", but "turns on the logic", sorting out suitable options and comparing them with previous requests.
6. Remote car control
With cars like Tesla Model S, drivers can experience a whole new level of connectivity. But the futuristic Tesla is far from the only car with such capabilities. Many companies are developing apps that allow drivers to interact with their cars via smartphones. Among the available functions: open and close doors, start the engine, adjust the climate parameters, while being anywhere. Drivers are informed of the fuel and charge level batteryThey can also enter addresses and routes directly into the car's navigation system while sitting at home over coffee.
7. Monitoring "blind spots"
Blind spot monitoring is very useful and is often a basic option in modern cars. Research shows that blind spots lead to hundreds of thousands of accidents every year. To avoid this, a system has been developed that, with the help of sensors, "sees" vehicles in the "blind" zone and informs the driver about it. It will also help with cars in a situation where the driver goes backwards on the road.
8. Tracking the lane
Like the previous "assistant", the lane keeping system relies on sensors. They constantly monitor the position of the car in relation to the markings on the highway or motorway. If the driver thinks or falls asleep and leaves his lane without turning on the turn signal, the car will start "wake up" him by turning on the sound and / or vibration of the seat, or the steering wheel will turn on its own and the car will return to the middle of the lane.
9. Adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance system
For those who regularly ride the trails, cruise control is a great helper. Adaptive cruise control has taken it one step further. He maintains a constant set speed and watches the car ahead. If it brakes sharply, then the car itself releases the "gas" and slows down.
10. Car interaction
To reduce the installation costs of individual navigation systems for each car, automakers now connect on-board computer to the smartphone and through it interact with the satellite and with other machines. This is how the driver receives information about traffic jams and road signs next to him. The system can also be used for automatic accident notification, reports of theft vehicleasking for roadside assistance.
Modern car must be dynamic, economical, comfortable and safe. This means that drivers can come in handy and that really work.
