Hidden features you discovered in your car after regular usage

SumitBahl · 8th June 2010, 10:36

Hi

Lets discuss some of the features/gadgets you found/discovered in your car after ownership of a few months/days/years?

For example:

After 6 months of owning a Scorpio, I found out that the voice of the lady telling me to wear my seat belts or fuel warning etc can be turned off via a button provided in the dashboard.

In my DZire, after 5-6 months I found out that, what I thought was a reflector in the rear bumper's bottom is actually a rear fog lamp...

PS. Mods, I searched the forum, but could not find a similar topic. If a similar topic exists, please merge this thread.

PAVAN KADAM · 8th June 2010, 10:40

Similarly,

In my 2006 3L Safari Dicor i found out after 2 year of buying it, that it has heaters for the ORVMS to dry up during rain for better visibility

This is by far the best feature any car can have. First in an SUV. It is a boon to have such a set-up and makes driving so easy during heavy rains.

BurningHeart · 8th June 2010, 10:40

After 2 years, I found out in my zen that there is a place to keep thin envelopes in the glove box. You can slide them in to those "channels" on either ends, so that they never get crushed with the bulky items you may stuff into the glove box from time to time.

BH.

designersf · 8th June 2010, 10:58

After almost 4 years, I found that my 2006 model Swift's ORVMs actually fold in the opposite direction too so that they are not knocked off by motorists.

musicmanaman · 8th June 2010, 11:01

My Amby car drivers door can only be locked by the key, first I though that there is someting wrong with the door, later I have realised that it may actually be a feature, to avoid the door being accidentally locked.

bblost · 8th June 2010, 11:02

In my Wagon R Vxi, after a couple of months I released that if i pressed the window down a little deeper, it would continue sliding down on its own, even when I release the switch.

Devil on Wheels · 8th June 2010, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Similarly,

In my 2006 3L Safari Dicor i found out after 2 year of buying it, that it has heaters for the ORVMS to dry up during rain for better visibility

This is by far the best feature any car can have. First in an SUV. It is a boon to have such a set-up and makes driving so easy during heavy rains.

Is this feature available in the 2.2 L VTT' as well. If yes it could be a great help.

After driving for 6 months I discovered how to use Lumbar Support in my Safari.

rohan_iitr · 8th June 2010, 11:27

I think most people do not have the time or inclination to go through the user manual. Hence the discovery of hidden features.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Similarly,

In my 2006 3L Safari Dicor i found out after 2 year of buying it, that it has heaters for the ORVMS to dry up during rain for better visibility

This is by far the best feature any car can have. First in an SUV. It is a boon to have such a set-up and makes driving so easy during heavy rains.

Even I heard about this feature for the first time. The sales team should highlight such features to the customers. I really doubt whether these sales representatives actually go through some proper training.

Rohan

SumitBahl · 8th June 2010, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohan_iitr

I think most people do not have the time or inclination to go through the user manual. Hence the discovery of hidden features.

Rohan

Male ego does not allow you to read manuals. Every man thinks they can work their way around it (Incl. me).

adnaps · 8th June 2010, 11:41

Learnt from this forum about switching on the odometer light by pressing the odometer reset pin for checking the odometer reading even when the ignition key is removed. Interestingly even the dealers Service Advisors were unaware of this provision and would normally put in the ignition key and turn in on to check the odometer reading.

2cents · 8th June 2010, 11:44

@CaptainSlow here discovered a pair of scissors under his bonnet when he brought home his new Figo

SumitBahl · 8th June 2010, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by adnaps

Learnt from this forum about switching on the odometer light by pressing the odometer reset pin for checking the odometer reading even when the ignition key is removed. Interestingly even the dealers Service Advisors were unaware of this provision and would normally put in the ignition key and turn in on to check the odometer reading.

I didnt knew that. Will try it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2cents

@CaptainSlow here discovered a pair of scissors under his bonnet when he brought home his new Figo

Thats Hidden feature alright!!!

aargee · 8th June 2010, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

In my Wagon R Vxi, after a couple of months I released that if i pressed the window down a little deeper, it would continue sliding down on its own, even when I release the switch.

Yes, the auto slide down switch works only on the driver side; the co-driver's switch is quite a regular one.

IronH4WK · 8th June 2010, 12:15

after 3yrs i figured out how to silently lock/unlock the car remotely

(had lost the Autocop manual)

Maverick1977 · 8th June 2010, 12:23

My Vista actually develops features. E.g. Some time back the AC developed a feature where-in the vents on the driver side would throw warm air & the passenger side would throw cold air. Even the service guys were confused but realized that this uneven cooling was happening due to a faulty compressor. Changed it & now feature has gone. People owning Tata & Fiat cars will definitely love to report such features which automatically develope from time to time.

8th June 2010, 10:36	#1
SumitBahl BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 976 Thanked: 230 Times View My Garage	Hidden features you discovered in your car after regular usage Hi Lets discuss some of the features/gadgets you found/discovered in your car after ownership of a few months/days/years? For example: After 6 months of owning a Scorpio, I found out that the voice of the lady telling me to wear my seat belts or fuel warning etc can be turned off via a button provided in the dashboard. In my DZire, after 5-6 months I found out that, what I thought was a reflector in the rear bumper's bottom is actually a rear fog lamp... PS. Mods, I searched the forum, but could not find a similar topic. If a similar topic exists, please merge this thread.
	(2) Thanks

8th June 2010, 10:40	#2
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	Similarly, In my 2006 3L Safari Dicor i found out after 2 year of buying it, that it has heaters for the ORVMS to dry up during rain for better visibility This is by far the best feature any car can have. First in an SUV. It is a boon to have such a set-up and makes driving so easy during heavy rains.
	(3) Thanks

8th June 2010, 10:40	#3
BurningHeart BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New York Posts: 428 Thanked: 58 Times View My Garage	After 2 years, I found out in my zen that there is a place to keep thin envelopes in the glove box. You can slide them in to those "channels" on either ends, so that they never get crushed with the bulky items you may stuff into the glove box from time to time. BH.
	() Thanks

8th June 2010, 10:58	#4
designersf BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 603 Thanked: 80 Times	After almost 4 years, I found that my 2006 model Swift's ORVMs actually fold in the opposite direction too so that they are not knocked off by motorists.
	() Thanks

8th June 2010, 11:01	#5
musicmanaman BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: kolkata Posts: 927 Thanked: 25 Times	My Amby car drivers door can only be locked by the key, first I though that there is someting wrong with the door, later I have realised that it may actually be a feature, to avoid the door being accidentally locked.
	() Thanks

8th June 2010, 11:02	#6
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 15,341 Times View My Garage	In my Wagon R Vxi, after a couple of months I released that if i pressed the window down a little deeper, it would continue sliding down on its own, even when I release the switch.
	() Thanks

8th June 2010, 11:41	#10
adnaps BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 195 Thanked: 119 Times	Swift odometer light Learnt from this forum about switching on the odometer light by pressing the odometer reset pin for checking the odometer reading even when the ignition key is removed. Interestingly even the dealers Service Advisors were unaware of this provision and would normally put in the ignition key and turn in on to check the odometer reading.
	(1) Thanks

8th June 2010, 11:44	#11
2cents BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: India Posts: 528 Thanked: 596 Times	@CaptainSlow here discovered a pair of scissors under his bonnet when he brought home his new Figo
	() Thanks

8th June 2010, 12:15	#14
IronH4WK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,468 Thanked: 4,148 Times	after 3yrs i figured out how to silently lock/unlock the car remotely (had lost the Autocop manual)
	() Thanks

8th June 2010, 12:23	#15
Maverick1977 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 997 Thanked: 906 Times View My Garage	My Vista actually develops features. E.g. Some time back the AC developed a feature where-in the vents on the driver side would throw warm air & the passenger side would throw cold air. Even the service guys were confused but realized that this uneven cooling was happening due to a faulty compressor. Changed it & now feature has gone. People owning Tata & Fiat cars will definitely love to report such features which automatically develope from time to time.
	(1) Thanks