You may have been driving for years and think that you know all there is to know about vehicles. Think again. According to FactRetriver, the average car has about 30,000 parts. A car is an integration of several big and small parts, and there are several of them that you haven’t seen or you look past them each day without knowing their functions. It is important to know these parts so that you are more knowledgeable about the functionality of your car. Here is an example of these parts.
The small arrow next to the fuel indicator
This is one part that people ignore because they don’t have an idea of what it means and why it is there. It has a direct relation to the gas tank because it is next to it. Its purpose is to show you which side of the vehicle the gas tank opens. Have you ever gone to the gas shop and put your car on the wrong side and had to turn it around for the gas tank to face the fuel pump? Well, that could have been helped by following the tiny arrow next to the gas indicator.
Traction control button
Every car has an ASR feature that helps adjust the traction of your vehicle in case you are driving in the monsoon or rainy season. However, this is one feature you barely use because you don’t know it exists. The traction feature gives you better control when driving on slippery roads in the rainy and snowy season. When the traction feature is on, you can maneuver corners better even when the road is slippery.
Vacuum pump
A vehicle’s vacuum pump helps to maintain pressure between the atmosphere and the engine manifold for the engine parts to run smoothly. The main parts that vacuum pumps help are the brakes and the pressure operated turbocharger. The vacuum pump stabilizes the pressure to allow the brakes to function adequately and helps with the recirculation of exhaust gas at the turbocharger.
The small tab at the rearview mirror
Most people don’t notice that there is a small tab in the middle of the rearview mirror. When you push the tab, it adjusts the mirror to reflect light before it gets to your eyes. This helps a lot when driving during the day with direct sunlight staring at you. It can help you avoid accidents caused by light blinding when on the road.
Hidden storage compartments
Most car manufacturers like to squeeze in extra features wherever they can to give their vehicles an advantage over competitors. Hidden storage spaces are some of these features manufacturers like to play with. Some Toyotas have an unusual shelf underneath the dashboard to sunglasses, cellphones, and other small items. The Dodge Journey has two cabbies under the floor with removable bins that you can put sodas, ice, or other things. It also has a compartment under the passenger seat for storage of anything you want to transport. The Land Rover discovery has a hidden storage area behind the climate control panel for hiding valuables.
Tire pressure monitor
For a long time now, manufacturers make cars that have a way to monitor their tire pressure and notify you when the pressure is low from the tire indicator at the dashboard. More recent cars identify and let you know which of the tires is low on air.
Chair massagers
When you are driving a friend’s, relatives, or even a rented car, you may not know the features that come with the car. Most modern vehicles have front seats with massage capabilities you can enjoy while driving or seated, waiting for the traffic jam to lighten up. Driving in your vehicle is now as relaxing as going to the spa.
Anti-lock brakes
Mercedes were the pioneers of adding anti lock brakes to their cars and the rest of the companies followed through. Initially, you used to pump the brakes fast if you need an instant or a quick stop. However, just by stepping on the anti-lock brake pad once, the wheels will lock and the car will skid to a stop.
A car is like a book that you can never get to the last chapter. You will keep learning new parts and their functions every day. That is because vehicle manufacturers add new features to their new releases with every launch.
