Other Small Car Features Drivers Often Overlook
The rearview mirror lever isn’t the only everyday vehicle detail whose purpose isn’t immediately obvious.
Many cars include small design features that drivers may use for years without fully understanding them.
The Arrow Beside the Fuel Pump Symbol
Look at the fuel gauge on many vehicles and you may see a tiny arrow or triangle next to the fuel-pump icon.
On vehicles equipped with this indicator, the arrow points toward the side of the vehicle where the fuel filler is located.
It’s particularly convenient when you’re driving a rental car or a vehicle you don’t use regularly and need to know which side of the gas pump to approach.
The Black Dots Around the Windshield
Those small black dots around the edge of many windshields aren’t simply decorative.
They are part of the ceramic frit pattern used around automotive glass. The black border is associated with the windshield bonding area and helps shield it from ultraviolet light, while the dotted pattern creates a gradual transition between the dark border and clear glass and also plays a role in manufacturing considerations.
The Rear-Door Child Safety Lock
Many vehicles have a small switch or slot on the edge of each rear door.
When the child safety lock is engaged, the rear door generally cannot be opened using its inside handle, although it can still be opened from outside when the vehicle is unlocked.
The exact mechanism varies, so the owner’s manual is the best reference for your particular vehicle.
Hidden Mechanical Key Inside Some Key Fobs
Some modern key fobs contain a small removable mechanical key.
It can provide a backup method of accessing the vehicle in certain situations, such as when the key-fob battery is depleted. The location of the physical lock cylinder and the correct procedure differ significantly between vehicles, so owners should check their manuals before they actually need the feature.
Why Small Features Like These Are Easy to Miss
Most people don’t read every page of their vehicle’s owner’s manual when they buy a car.
Instead, we learn the controls necessary for everyday driving and gradually discover the rest.
That’s why something as simple as a rearview-mirror tab can remain a mystery for years. It doesn’t call attention to itself, and unless glare becomes annoying at night, there may never be an obvious reason to move it.
One Important Difference to Remember
Cars vary widely by manufacturer, model and year.
If your mirror has electronics, cameras, sensors or unfamiliar buttons, don’t assume it works exactly like a traditional manual day/night mirror.
Some vehicles integrate the mirror with driver-assistance systems, displays, cameras or other electronics. Always follow the instructions provided for your specific vehicle.
A Simple Feature That’s Been Hiding in Plain Sight
So, what does that little tab under a traditional rearview mirror do?
It lets you switch a manual day/night mirror between its normal bright reflection and a much dimmer reflection that can reduce glare from headlights behind you at night.
There are no batteries required and no complicated electronics involved. It’s simply a clever use of reflection and mirror geometry controlled by one tiny lever.
It’s the kind of feature you might ignore for years—until one nighttime drive makes you glad you know exactly what it does.
