There's a good reason why automobiles are such an expensive and fundamental product. A lot of love and attention to detail goes into their manufacturing, and they have many special extra features; it's hard even to keep track! You may think you know them inside out, but hopefully, this article will show you just how much you may be missing.
From secret vacuum cleaners to simple, useful hacks, knowing about these little hidden features can make a big difference in your day-to-day life. So please keep reading to find out if this list can be of help to you.
Engine Color Coding
There are two types of drivers in this world: the ones who know all there is to know about motors and the ones who just don't. If you're one of the latter, you may be happy to know that many automobiles come with color-coded engines for all of us newbies to understand what's actually going on.
It's an easy and effective way of knowing where the oil cap, the brake fluid, or the dipstick are. After all, taking good care of what's under the hood is fundamental to keep your precious vehicle running. Now you don't have to feel utterly lost when you look at your car's engine!
Easter Eggs
Buying a new car isn't just about practicality. In a way, we do it because we want to be stylish, look better, and have a more exciting driving experience. With this in mind, manufacturers have been planting hidden easter eggs in their machines for all the motor aficionados to enjoy.
A good example of this is the 2014 Jeep Renegade, which comes with many hidden features strategically made to impress bonafide auto fans. Such include X-shaped grilles, a "no step" notice on the side rails, and an orange splatter pattern designed to make the tachometer look cool.
Volkswagen’s Blumenvasen
Over half-a-century after the Flower Power movement of the '60s, Volkswagen is still known for the classic art-covered vans made popular by the hippies. To honor this tradition, the most recent models of the Volkswagen Beetle come with a quirky hidden feature.
It consists of a tiny and partially hidden flower vase that's known as the "blumenvasen." It does serve multiple purposes, as it can be used to store all kinds of objects. But if you want to play by VW rules, you can always put a flower in there to make your vehicle look more attractive.
Honda’s Magic Seats
Cars serve many purposes. They need to transport people effectively, but they're also used in more complex operations, such as getting large objects from one place to another. Mindful of their customer's needs, Honda devised a magic seat system that allows drivers to get some handy extra space on models like the Jazz and the Civic.
The front seats can be completely folded down, making for an extended background seat. You can use it to relax and spread your legs, watch the sky during a starry Summer's night, or fit large objects in your vehicle that would otherwise be too big to transport.
BMW’s Brake Drying
When it comes to driving, there's nothing more important than ensuring that the driver and the passengers are safe. Some small safety features can make a big difference in the end, proving vital in near-fatal accident scenarios. A good example of this is the brake drying system incorporated in the wheels of the BMW Beamer.
Designed for tough weather, this innovative system allows drivers to brake more efficiently when the road is wet. Considering that nearly 22% of all accidents in America are related to hostile weather conditions, this seemingly small hidden feature can often make the difference between having or not having an accident. It's a literal lifesaver.
Easy-Fill Tire Alert
All responsible drivers know just how important it is to keep the right pressure on their tires. But achieving the ideal levels of pressure can be complicated if you're not very knowledgeable about vehicles. Well, not anymore. Thanks to manufacturers like Nissan, getting your tire pressure just right is now super easy.
Nissan's Easy-Fill Tire Alert system works like a charm and is super intuitive. When your tire pressure hits the right spot, your car horn will automatically honk. On the other hand, a hazard light will inform you anytime your tires are over-inflated so that you know you should release some air. It's no pressure!
Neck Warmers
We've all heard about heated seats before. But nowadays, manufacturers have taken passenger comfort to a whole other level. We're talking about neck warmers, a still-luxury feature that's bound (or at least we hope so) to become standard practice.
Models with neck warmers include the BMW 4 Series Convertible and the Mercedes SLK. But the latter was banned from using neck warmers in Germany when a court ruled they didn't have the rights to the design. Still, this amazing hidden feature is meant to make every convertible ridable during the coldest months of the year, which is a great plus!
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
We live in an exciting time. With the seemingly futuristic idea of self-driving vehicles becoming more and more a reality, manufacturers like Subaru are producing some top-class technology to ensure increased driver safety. The EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is a great example of this.
EyeSight uses a dual-color camera system that can scan the road for unexpected dangers. This makes for upgraded cruise control, traffic movement monitorization, and even warns you if you drive out the lane! According to Subaru, EyeSight has been responsible for reducing rear-end crash injuries by an impressive 85%.
Drowsiness Detection
Long trips are a bummer, and sometimes, all we want is never to stop until we reach our final destination. But this is in the origin of many avoidable traffic accidents, with some proving fatal. That's why top auto manufacturers have been producing drowsiness detection systems to protect drivers from their own impatience.
How do they work? The Mercedes Attention System, for instance, makes the steering wheel vibrate whenever it feels like the driver is not doing their job properly. You may not listen to anyone else when they say it's time to stop, but can you really ignore it when it's your car giving the advice?
Vacuum Cleaner
Cars can get filthy. It's not your fault. The kids leave crumbs in the back, hot beverages spill, and dust settles down over everything! But if you drive a 2018 Honda Odyssey, there's really no reason why your vehicle shouldn't be spotless. After all, this model features one of our favorite hidden secrets: a handy vacuum cleaner.
The craziest thing is that you can be an Odyssey driver and not even know about it. The vacuum is secretly hidden under the cover inside the quarter panel, and it's not immediately identifiable. But now that you know about it, you can finally enjoy your pristine Honda Odyssey to the utmost.
Fuel-Saving Frames
When we buy a new vehicle, we don't normally think of weight as something to consider. But manufacturers know just how important making a lighter vehicle is. That's why Ford switched its F-150 truck body to aluminum in 2015. This material is more expensive, but it's also lighter and highly resistant. But why does this even matter?
For the drivers, this is extremely important because it helps to save on fuel costs. A lighter auto will require less fuel, hence being more economical. The 2015 Ford F-150 model is 700 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which can pay off tremendously in the long-term.
Hands-Free Smart Trunk
You're leaving the mall with lots of bags in your hand, but you still need to reach out for your car keys to open the trunk. This can make for an awkward situation, like you dropping all the bags in the parking lot. To avoid situations like this, Hyundai announced that its Rosen model comes with a Hands-Free Smart Trunk.
To open the trunk of your Hyundai Rosen, you just need to walk towards it! As if it had a mind of its own, the Rosen's trunk will recognize you approaching and automatically open. No more juggling shopping bags and keys in the parking lot—sounds like a dream come true!
Fuel-Tank Location Icon
This is not a new feature, but it's still a handy secret that some drivers don't know about. That little icon on your gas gauge actually always points out to the side where the gas cap is located. And if you've ever parked your car on the wrong side of the gas station, you know just how handy this can be.
Most drivers know where the gas cap of their vehicle is at all times. But if you get confused, just take a look at the gas gauge to be sure. This is not a lifesaving feature, but it can save you some time at the gas station!
Road Condition Indicator
Thanks to a temperature sensor near the front bumper, some models feature this little snowflake icon. When it pops, it means that it's cold enough outside for some ice to be formed in the road. Considering how much of a threat bad weather can be, this seemingly insignificant feature can make the difference between having and not having an accident.
There are all kinds of gadgets and features designed to ensure the driver's safety. But remember: the first step to driving safely is to make sure you're fully aware of all the potential dangers out there.
Advanced Driver-assistance Systems
Computers are all around us, and automobiles are no exception. Modern models often feature advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that use sensors and cameras to help us have a safer and more comfortable driving experience.
The best-known feature of the ADAS is parking assistance, which is perfect for helping you fit your car in a tight parking space. But that's not all: ADAS also helps drivers avoid obstacles in the road and prevents vehicles from speeding during a descent. Since most road accidents occur due to human error, ADAS can truly have a life-or-death impact, both on the driver and the pedestrians.
Hidden Storage Compartments
In your home and your car, you can never have too much free space. Storage compartments are convenient, and there's arguably no other model as storage-rich as the 2018 Dodge Journey! The Journey features multiple secret storage compartments to make sure there's always a place for you to keep your things.
Finding all of the hidden storage compartments in the Dodge Journey can be a little bit like a treasure hunt. There's one under the passenger seat, one under the climate control panel, and one in the second row for you to keep all of your kid's toys.
Conversation Mirror
SUVs are famously designed to meet all the needs of busy moms and dads. But the conversation mirror featured in models like the 2015 GMC Yukon is yet another step forward in the family-friendly world of commercially-available SUVs.
Since moms and dads need to have two sets of eyes while driving (one for the road and one for the kids), the conversation mirror is the perfect solution to check the backseat quickly. It's usually placed right above the rear-view mirror so you can check on your kids without compromising driving safety.
Ambient Interior Lighting
To see as clearly as possible is fundamental when driving. And that's why having appropriate lighting is so important. Adaptable ambient interior lighting is a feature of many modern vehicles, and it can prove vital to increasing driver's space perception.
But more than an additional safety measure, this feature has an amazing aesthetical effect. It makes your car look cool and extra cozy, and some high-end vehicles even allow you to choose the color of the interior lighting. It's surely a secret feature that's bound to impress your friends and improve your driving experience.
Hidden Umbrella
We've all gone through it before: we forgot our umbrella at home, and we got our clothes all wet in the rain. It's unpleasant, and it can even get us sick. But if you happen to drive some Skoda and Rolls Royce models, this will never happen to you again.
Why? Because these autos come with a handy secret umbrella that's always there for you. Usually placed quite discreetly in the driver's door, as shown in the picture, it takes up virtually no space, and it's so hidden that you may have never noticed it before. Yes, it's non-essential, but don't they say beauty is in the details?
QuietComfort Road Noise Control
Introduced by Bose Automotive, QuietComfort Road Noise Control is a state-of-the-art feature that will significantly improve your driving experience. Driving can be annoyingly noisy, with the road's buzzing sounds often distracting the driver and the passengers.
In a nutshell, the QuietComfort system uses noise cancellation technology that interacts directly with a series of accelerometers placed onto the vehicle. These send an acoustic cancellation signal to the vehicle's sound system that makes for less noise and a more peaceful ride. It's a perfect feature for all drivers, but especially for those who like to talk to friends or listen to music while exploring the open road.
Dipping Rearview Mirror
Headlights are getting more powerful and effective every year. But this can hurt drivers in general. Sometimes, the lighting of the vehicle on your back can hurt your sight and momentarily make you lose track of the road. It's a huge problem, especially considering it can lead to a traffic accident.
The dipping rearview mirror is a solution to this issue. Made with electrochromic material, these handy mirrors can change the way light is reflected, producing an auto-dimming effect. The pluses are quite evident: a more comfortable driving experience and a significant increase in driver safety. Nowadays, the dipping rearview mirror is standardly used by manufacturers like Seat.
Electronic Stability Control
You can't have too many safety features in your automobile, and this one's been a U.S. standard since 2011. Electronic stability control is activated when you press the skidding car icon, and it's another great feature that not all people know about.
Pressing the button will activate a system that makes your vehicle brake more safely during a turn, but that's not all. It also helps you to deal with harsh weather conditions, such as an icy road. While most traffic accidents are caused by human error, some are exclusively related to the elements and faulty brakes. This handy safety system can help to save lives and avoid accidents.
Lane-Centering Sensors
When driving, it's imperative to stay in your line. That's what road lines were made for! But if there's a place where this is even more essential, it's the highway. In a road where people drive at exhilarating speeds, keeping steadily in your lane can make the difference between having a life-threatening accident and arriving safely at your destination.
Lane-centering sensors are yet another secret feature present in many modern vehicles. They use a camera that can detect where the lines in the road are and activate warnings (such as a loud noise or perceivable vibration) to literally keep you on track.
Takeout Hooks
We're pretty sure you've seen a takeout hook before. These are normally placed near the headrest and can be found in both older and newer models. Strangely enough, though, most people tend to ignore takeout hooks, not exploring their full potential.
This little auto feature is as practical as it is simple. You can hang almost anything in there, from a day-to-day purse or bag to a well-starched shirt. Sometimes, we simply throw our things into the backseat without even realizing these handy hooks could make for a better-looking and tidier vehicle. It's not a life-changer, but it's a surprisingly useful hack.
Anti-lock Braking System
The term ABS is certainly familiar to most drivers. But few know it stands for 'anti-lock braking system' and even less know how it works. The basic idea of the ABS is to increase the driver's safety by limiting the braking of one or more wheels and preventing skidding.
Driving can be stressful, and scared drivers can sometimes hit the brakes with more power than they should. In moments like that, a series of hydraulic valves will react to the braking and ensure that a sudden stop doesn't result in a nasty accident. ABS is so crucial to traffic safety; it's been legally-required in the U.S. since 2013.