Functions or gizmos you didn't realise your car had

[CambsBill]

Someone posted recently that they hadn't realised their car had a Tracker so I got to thinking, what functions, equipment, gizmos or whatever have you only discovered after owning a car for, let's say, over six months?

For me, in the OH's Mini it took us almost a year to discover the second glovebox, found by pushing the silver panel above the obvious glovebox by accident. Of course if we'd read the manual . . .

I'm sure there's more out there . . . . . . .

[cheadle hulme]

Torch in the glovebox of my 335i. Was a crappy halogen one though.

[Kong]

If you hold down the main beam on my Z4 while you turn the engine off the headlights stay on for 20 seconds (or so) to illuminate your walk to the door. Took my 2 years of ownership to find that feature out, 6 months later i haven't used it once

[pinchmeimdreamin]

The fact that the front foglights come on when I select reverse on my Ibiza.
I can kind of understand the cornering lights but this WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.

[CommanderJameson]

BMW 528i SE.

Press and hold the lock button whilst locking the car: disables internal motion sensor. Handy for stopping the dogs setting the alarm off.
Press and hold the unlock button: opens all the windows. Handy for getting a few extra seconds of ventilation on a hot day.
Pull the headlight stalk when getting out: follow-you-home headlights for 30 seconds.

ETA: I didn't find the cassette player for about a year after getting it.

[jsg612]

Never realised I could disable the DRL's using the menu on the dash.

[Astra Dan]

Follow me home head lights; for those who can't reverse?

[soda]

It took me about 3 months to twig I could adjust the brightness of the dashboard lights.

I'd also had it nearly a year before a girl found a first aid box under the passenger seat.

[S1_RS]

Rover 25, the missus's car. If you don't open the doors when you turn off the ignition you are still able to close the electric windows for about 20 seconds or so.

[amnesia182]

I was sat in traffic in my Shogun V6 one day and pressed the front of the console in near the handbrake lever and out popped two cup holders... I'd had the car for about 3 months !


I still can't work out why selecting reverse in my Clio 182 makes the rear wiper wipe once sometimes, but not others (but then it is French !).

[s31tof]

The middle sun visor in my Audi was a supprise to me! Very quirky when it's in use

[skene]

amnesia182 said:

I was sat in traffic in my Shogun V6 one day and pressed the front of the console in near the handbrake lever and out popped two cup holders... I'd had the car for about 3 months !


I still can't work out why selecting reverse in my Clio 182 makes the rear wiper wipe once sometimes, but not others (but then it is French !).

If your front wipers are on then it will wipe in reverse.



Mine? I have a Mk5 Fiesta and to be honest, i'd just be happy if all the obvious gizmos worked!

[amnesia182]

skene said:

If your front wipers are on then it will wipe in reverse.

Hmmm... probably broken then. It's in auto wiper mode permanently...

[Perd Hapley]

Little hook for hanging up the seatbelt, noticed after three years of the belts lying on the floor. Very nice, except the drivers side one has been snapped off

[Raverbaby]

That I can open/close the windows by holding the remote lock button on keyfob

[tuffer]

6 months before I realized my 530 had a CD multi changer in the glove box.

[freecar]

on E30 BMWs the electic windows become live when the drivers door is open, in case you forgot to do it when the key was in!

[kwakus]

Didnt realise the steering wheel on my focus had adjustable reach for about 2 years, I had adjusted the rake.

[LukeBird]

amnesia182 said:

skene said:

If your front wipers are on then it will wipe in reverse.

Hmmm... probably broken then. It's in auto wiper mode permanently...

If they're in the auto position I think they always do it, it's only when they're off off that they won't do it. As I recall anyway and it is a while since I've driven a Clio!

s31tof said:

The middle sun visor in my Audi was a supprise to me! Very quirky when it's in use

Noticed this on my dad's car after a few months (or even years) of ownership and he'd never noticed it. I don't think it's ever been used!

[Waugh-terfall]

Astra Dan said:

Follow me home head lights; for those who can't reverse?

Mine are quite handy, the the numberplate lights illuminate the steps up to the porch...

Luke's got it right with the Clio's reverse-wipe, my Megane was the same.


If I slap my wiper stalk when I turn the ignition off, the wipers park upright, Winter parking apparently, now I just need the Winter to come...