The Hidden Car Button That Could Save Your Life (And 4 Other Features You Didn’t Know About)
2. The Hidden Fuel Gauge Arrow
Have you ever pulled up to a gas station in a rental car or a new vehicle and completely forgotten which side the fuel cap is on? Instead of rolling down your window or awkwardly stepping out of the car to check, just look at your dashboard.
On your fuel gauge, right next to the little gas pump icon, you will see a tiny, subtle triangle arrow.
- If the arrow points to the left, your fuel tank door is on the driver’s side.
- If it points to the right, it’s on the passenger’s side.
This keeps you from executing dangerous maneuvers or blocking traffic at busy gas stations.
3. The Glow-in-the-Dark Emergency Trunk Release
If you own a car manufactured after 2002, look inside your trunk lid. You will find a small, plastic handle molded with a graphic of an open trunk.
This handle is made of a special glow-in-the-dark material that charges using the ambient light from when the trunk is open. In the horrifying event of a carjacking, kidnapping, or an accidental child entrapment, anyone trapped inside the dark trunk can easily spot the glowing lever. Pulling it mechanically releases the latch from the inside, allowing a safe escape.
4. The “Magic” Rearview Mirror Tab
Most standard rearview mirrors have a small plastic tab hanging down from the bottom center. While many drivers assume it’s just a handle to adjust the mirror’s position, it actually serves a critical safety function for night driving.
When a vehicle behind you has its high beams on, the glare can temporarily blind you. By flipping that manual tab forward or backward, the mirror shifts its internal prism. It reflects the blinding headlights away from your eyes while still allowing you to clearly see the reflection of the car behind you as a dim, non-glaring shadow. (Note: Higher-end modern vehicles do this automatically via electronic auto-dimming sensors!)
