The Hardest Button to Button
May 31, 2009 12:06 PM Subscribe
What the diddley does this button in my car do?
I recently started learning to drive. My instructor went through all the controls and explained everything to me except one little button, which sits next to the handle that opens the driver's door. I asked him what it does, and his answer was: 'I've been teaching for twenty five years, i've had this car for a few years now, but I haven't the faintest idea what that thing is for.'
Whenever i press it nothing appears to happen.
Pictures of mystery button:
(Public Fbook links): 1, 2
If you can't see the button too well, it can best be described as an outline of the car, with a series of lines radiating from the middle of the roof down through the rest of their interior.
My initial thought is that it activates some kind of radiation sterilisation system, but I don't think that is generally a very popular extra feature in comparison to, say, sunroofs.
Seriously, this is doing my head in. Guesses greatly appreciated!
I recently started learning to drive. My instructor went through all the controls and explained everything to me except one little button, which sits next to the handle that opens the driver's door. I asked him what it does, and his answer was: 'I've been teaching for twenty five years, i've had this car for a few years now, but I haven't the faintest idea what that thing is for.'
Whenever i press it nothing appears to happen.
Pictures of mystery button:
(Public Fbook links): 1, 2
If you can't see the button too well, it can best be described as an outline of the car, with a series of lines radiating from the middle of the roof down through the rest of their interior.
My initial thought is that it activates some kind of radiation sterilisation system, but I don't think that is generally a very popular extra feature in comparison to, say, sunroofs.
Seriously, this is doing my head in. Guesses greatly appreciated!
Does it operate like an on/off switch? Could it enable/disable the overhead light coming on when the driver's door is opened?
posted by steef at 12:11 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by steef at 12:11 PM on May 31, 2009
Response by poster: Oh yes, not something I pay attention too (I am not really into motors). However, if I had to take a guess, I would say it was one of these
posted by marmaduke_yaverland at 12:11 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by marmaduke_yaverland at 12:11 PM on May 31, 2009
My guesses:
1) OnStar system, which may or may not be actually present in the car, as it's an option. Do you have a small speaker in the roof or dashboard of your car?
2) Bluetooth integration for hands-free talking on cell phones. Again, look around for a small speaker/mic
posted by chrisamiller at 12:12 PM on May 31, 2009
1) OnStar system, which may or may not be actually present in the car, as it's an option. Do you have a small speaker in the roof or dashboard of your car?
2) Bluetooth integration for hands-free talking on cell phones. Again, look around for a small speaker/mic
posted by chrisamiller at 12:12 PM on May 31, 2009
Just a guess... the icon looks like it's referring to the dome light. Being by the door handle, maybe it's to turn the dome light delay off and on. Certainly the car's owner's manual will tell the story.
posted by The Deej at 12:13 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by The Deej at 12:13 PM on May 31, 2009
Best answer: Is it the button that turns off the motion sensor so you can leave a dog in the car, or something?
The icon would make sense for that.
posted by Brockles at 12:13 PM on May 31, 2009
The icon would make sense for that.
posted by Brockles at 12:13 PM on May 31, 2009
Response by poster: He says he looked in the manual - and even then, because it's a learner car with lots of extra features (not least pedals on the passenger side), i think the manual must be like an encyclopedia, which would make it pretty difficult to track down one tiny piece of information about a random button that does very little.
posted by marmaduke_yaverland at 12:16 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by marmaduke_yaverland at 12:16 PM on May 31, 2009
A/C recirculation?
posted by notyou at 12:22 PM on May 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by notyou at 12:22 PM on May 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
I would guess that it's something like a dome light control. A lot of cars have a dimmer switch for the dashboard lights that, when turned all the way "up," will go one notch further and activate the dome light. Perhaps this is a separate switch for such?
Alternately, you might have a bitchin' subwoofer in the roof of your car.
posted by Turkey Glue at 12:29 PM on May 31, 2009
Alternately, you might have a bitchin' subwoofer in the roof of your car.
posted by Turkey Glue at 12:29 PM on May 31, 2009
Open and close the sunroof (which wouldn't do anything if the car doesn't have one)?
posted by Coobeastie at 12:35 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by Coobeastie at 12:35 PM on May 31, 2009
I think turkey glue is probably right- it probably is a second switch for some option. I would guess that it's there so that you can turn all the interior lights on (or open the sunroof) without having to get into the vehicle. So you get to the car, open the door, hit the button, and all the light turn on so you can load people or stuff.
posted by gjc at 1:29 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by gjc at 1:29 PM on May 31, 2009
Best answer: I'd guess that it's to deactivate the alarm so you can leave something in the car (dog, child) without it sounding. My Ford Focus has one of these, but I've never used it on account of not having any small animals or children.
posted by car01 at 1:30 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by car01 at 1:30 PM on May 31, 2009
I would guess that it's there so that you can turn all the interior lights on (or open the sunroof) without having to get into the vehicle. So you get to the car, open the door, hit the button,
Opening the doors on any vehicle will turn all the interior lights on. You don't need an additional button. And being as nothing appears to happen (at least nothing visible) then it is unlikely that it is the sunroof switch.
posted by Brockles at 1:46 PM on May 31, 2009
Opening the doors on any vehicle will turn all the interior lights on. You don't need an additional button. And being as nothing appears to happen (at least nothing visible) then it is unlikely that it is the sunroof switch.
posted by Brockles at 1:46 PM on May 31, 2009
n'thing a dome light switch.
Have you ever seen the dome light on in the car, for example when you open the door? It is possible the dome light bulb is burned out, which would be the reason pushing the button has no apparent effect...
posted by NoDef at 1:50 PM on May 31, 2009
Have you ever seen the dome light on in the car, for example when you open the door? It is possible the dome light bulb is burned out, which would be the reason pushing the button has no apparent effect...
posted by NoDef at 1:50 PM on May 31, 2009
Based on the fact it's a toggle switch, I'd guess it's a dimmer for a light somewhere. I have similar switch on my car (2001 Escape) and it controls the brightness of the radio and dash; the trick is, it takes a lot of clicking to notice any sort of difference. Try clicking it over and over and watch for something to get brighter/darker.
posted by reductiondesign at 1:53 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by reductiondesign at 1:53 PM on May 31, 2009
Best answer: Also guessing it's for the interior motion sensor.
posted by dance at 2:14 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by dance at 2:14 PM on May 31, 2009
Best answer: The car you linked to is a modified Vauxhall Corsa 4-door, but looking through the manuals on their site I couldn't find any button like that.
The closest I've seen has been in various Audi models, which looks somewhat similar, and is indeed for disabling the motion detector.
You could test it by locking using the key fob to lock the door which should theoretically arm the alarm system, then try moving around. Note you may have to open and close the door first for it to actually activate the motion sensor.
posted by SpookyFish at 2:23 PM on May 31, 2009
The closest I've seen has been in various Audi models, which looks somewhat similar, and is indeed for disabling the motion detector.
You could test it by locking using the key fob to lock the door which should theoretically arm the alarm system, then try moving around. Note you may have to open and close the door first for it to actually activate the motion sensor.
posted by SpookyFish at 2:23 PM on May 31, 2009
Best answer: The button on my VW and Audi cars with that logo was to disable the motion sensor in the alarm.
posted by birdherder at 3:30 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by birdherder at 3:30 PM on May 31, 2009
Best answer: I agree with the people that say that it's a motion sensor disable button. I have one that looks exactly the same in my VW Golf.
posted by Transparent Yak at 4:37 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by Transparent Yak at 4:37 PM on May 31, 2009
Further to SpookyFish, you could also leave the window(s) down and put your hand in through the window. I did this very late one night thinking I'd tap on the glass ( it was dark and I couldn't see the glass) to see if the window was left open. The window had indeed been left down and the motion alarm was activated in this instance. My keys btw were in the house. LOL
My guess is that its for the dome light though. Maybe to keep the dome light from coming on when you get out of the vehicle. Handy for the drive-in movies. Just a guess.
posted by Taurid at 5:28 PM on May 31, 2009
My guess is that its for the dome light though. Maybe to keep the dome light from coming on when you get out of the vehicle. Handy for the drive-in movies. Just a guess.
posted by Taurid at 5:28 PM on May 31, 2009
Best answer: car01 has it nailed,. it de-activates motion sensors inside the car so you can leave your dog in it.
posted by Frasermoo at 5:46 AM on June 1, 2009
posted by Frasermoo at 5:46 AM on June 1, 2009
Let's test it out.
To test the dome light theory, open the door and observe the dome light. If it's on, operate the button and see if the dome light responds, i.e., goes off or dim.
If it wasn't the dome light, test the motion sensor theory. Lock yourself in the car, remove the keys from the ignition, and make sure the alarm is activated (you may need a friend to do this from outside the vehicle.) Now, go crazy, as if you were a pet left in the vehicle or a car thief trying to rummage around.
These tests should eliminate (or confirm) the two most common theories.
posted by dinger at 10:33 AM on June 1, 2009
To test the dome light theory, open the door and observe the dome light. If it's on, operate the button and see if the dome light responds, i.e., goes off or dim.
If it wasn't the dome light, test the motion sensor theory. Lock yourself in the car, remove the keys from the ignition, and make sure the alarm is activated (you may need a friend to do this from outside the vehicle.) Now, go crazy, as if you were a pet left in the vehicle or a car thief trying to rummage around.
These tests should eliminate (or confirm) the two most common theories.
posted by dinger at 10:33 AM on June 1, 2009
Response by poster: Thank you all for your answers! I was overwhelmed by the response.
Updates - I learnt today that the car is a Ford. A Ford Titanium something or other. Apologies for not paying attention more when he told me, but at the time I was trying not to rear end another vehicle. Also, my instructor stated that he went through the car's manual obsessively and couldn't find any mention of the icon.
What you guys describe as the 'dome' could be either one of two lights, one between the front and the back seats, the other above the dashboard between the two front seats. Both of these have switches with three settings - off, on, midway. Enough choice there to preclude a dimmer, perhaps?
And one thing I failed to mention - this button can only be pressed in one direction. It isn't like your average window operating switch (i.e. it doesn't let you press up or down). You can only press the top half of it.
Well anyhow, this is all academic, because I did give it a go - fliddling with the button didn't do anything to either light.
I suggested the motion sensor thing to my instructor but didn't try to test it (was in the middle of a fairly expensive driving test!) But I will give it a go next week and settle this issue once and for all. Thanks again!
posted by marmaduke_yaverland at 2:55 PM on June 1, 2009
Updates - I learnt today that the car is a Ford. A Ford Titanium something or other. Apologies for not paying attention more when he told me, but at the time I was trying not to rear end another vehicle. Also, my instructor stated that he went through the car's manual obsessively and couldn't find any mention of the icon.
What you guys describe as the 'dome' could be either one of two lights, one between the front and the back seats, the other above the dashboard between the two front seats. Both of these have switches with three settings - off, on, midway. Enough choice there to preclude a dimmer, perhaps?
And one thing I failed to mention - this button can only be pressed in one direction. It isn't like your average window operating switch (i.e. it doesn't let you press up or down). You can only press the top half of it.
Well anyhow, this is all academic, because I did give it a go - fliddling with the button didn't do anything to either light.
I suggested the motion sensor thing to my instructor but didn't try to test it (was in the middle of a fairly expensive driving test!) But I will give it a go next week and settle this issue once and for all. Thanks again!
posted by marmaduke_yaverland at 2:55 PM on June 1, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jedrek at 12:07 PM on May 31, 2009