TechUnlocking car door secrets: The hidden child safety switch

Unlocking car door secrets: The hidden child safety switch

The car is a staple in our daily lives, yet we aren't always aware of all its features. An intriguing aspect is that car doors conceal a switch, which can be particularly useful, especially when travelling with children.

Hidden knob in the car door
Hidden knob in the car door
Images source: © volkswagen | Volkswagen

For many of us, owning a car is quite ordinary. It serves as an ideal mode of transport that significantly eases the completion of various daily tasks. For families who travel frequently, a car provides comfortable conditions and the capacity to transport a significant amount of luggage.

Hidden features in cars

Although we use cars every day, not everyone is aware of all the features they offer. Many of these are designed to boost travel comfort and enhance safety levels. Unfortunately, we're not always aware of our vehicles' full potential, which means certain options remain unused.

An interesting feature is the small hole located in the car doors. Within the rear doors of five-door cars, there's a small entry marked with a key or child symbol. It conceals a dial that allows you to lock the doors, preventing them from being opened from the inside by a child.

The switch in the car doors - what function does it serve?

To activate this function, simply insert a key or a flat screwdriver into the hole and turn. After doing so, you'll hear a distinctive mechanical click indicating that the door is locked. Disabling this lock requires turning the key again, this time in the opposite direction.

It's worth noting the type of lock available in your vehicle. Some models have manual switches that can be operated without a key, using just your fingers.

A similar safety feature can be found in the form of buttons on the dashboard. However, their effectiveness in keeping children from opening the doors is sometimes limited, as it often requires just two pulls of the handle to open the doors. Therefore, knowing and using the lock function built directly into the car doors can prove to be a more reliable solution.

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