DRIVERS are raving about a car gimmick which they say provides both them and their passengers an additional safety.
One person said that while the feature could be considered “superfluous”, it was a favourite of his and he truly appreciated it.
GettyAuto-dimming rear-view mirrors offer greater safety when driving at night[/caption]
GettyThe mirrors detect light from in front and behind using photo sensors[/caption]
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors are designed to offer greater safety to drivers travelling at night, as the feature stops them from being temporarily blinded by the lights of motors behind them.
It involves both a mirror element and an electronic system that can detect light from in front and behind using photo sensors.
The mirror darkens if the light being emitted from behind is greater than that in front.
Spain‘s general manager of parking provider EasyPark Group Jaime Requeijo Gutierrez said of the feature: “This is one of my favourites and one which I always try to include in the cars I drive.
“Automatic dimming mirrors is a superfluous feature, but one that I truly appreciate, and which provides an additional safety to the driving experience.”
Many drivers will notice the feature in their own cars, including those who drive the Mazda CX-3 from February 2015.
A description by the Japanese manufacturer of the “auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass” explained that the feature assists drivers by distracting the glare from vehicle headlights behind their car and automatically dimming the mirror to preserve their vision.
Cars by Spanish manufacturer Seat also have auto-dimming rear-view mirrors to stop drivers from being “dazzled”.
The company stated on its website: “The surface of the mirror features a layer of electrolytes, similar to the LCD display of a mobile phone.
“The electrolytes consist of uniform crystals. When a voltage is applied, the crystals arrange themselves at a given angle, determining how much light is reflected.
“The strength of the voltage determines to what extent the mirror is darkened.”
Other cars with the feature include MG Hector, Chrysler 300, Toyota Prius, and Mazda6.
Another hidden car feature has been labelled “imperative” for parents driving with babies and newborns.
An Isofix mount is an attachment system built around rigid connection points that ensures a child’s car seat is securely attached to the car’s seat and does not require a seatbelt.
Experts say that using the mount is the most secure way to travel with a baby.
The mount also simplifies the process of installing a child’s car seat, thereby lowering the risk of getting it wrong.
Ford drivers will find another hidden feature in one of the company’s best-selling trucks that is perfect for those who “like to tailgate”.
It can be found in the trunk of Ford‘s Bronco Sport, the smaller option in a recently revived Ford SUV lineup.
A Ford dealership salesman, Nick, showed viewers where it was located in a video, during which he opened the manually-operated rear liftgate and pointed to a detail carved into the side of the trunk.
Just above the passenger-side brake light was a small divot with a metal spoke, discreetly hidden in the car’s trunk seal.
Nick said: “For those of you that like to tailgate, there’s a built in bottle opener.”
Meanwhile, Toyota owners rejoiced as they discovered little-known but very handy tricks that came with their smart key fob.
YouTuber Danny Johnson showed his viewers a feature that programmed the key to unlock all of the car’s doors at once.
While demonstrating holding the two buttons down, he said: “One of my favourite settings of all time is you hit lock and unlock at the same time and hold it down.
“After about five to 10 seconds, it will beep a few times and that acknowledges that now when you hit the unlock button, it will unlock all the doors at once.”
Other hidden features in cars
THESE are some of the most useful hidden features found in modern cars:
Conversation Mirror – convex mirrors attached overhead to give drivers a view of the rear seats.
Gas tank locator – an icon that pops up on the car’s dashboard to locate the gas tank.
Driver Assistance System – assist drivers with the safe operation of a vehicle through a human-machine interface.
Heads-up display – a transparent guidance system projecting all the vital driving information at the driver’s viewpoint.
Blind-spot monitoring – a system that notifies the driver if another vehicle appears within their blind spot, avoiding risk of a collision.
Tyre pressure monitors – a system fitted to a vehicle which constantly monitors the tyre pressures provides a warning incase of imbalance.