MOTORING NEWS - It is high time to acquaint yourself with the symbols on your car’s dashboard. In a world of increasingly sophisticated car technology, understanding these symbols is proving to be a challenge for many drivers.
According to a study by AutoTrader, conducted with over 1 000 drivers in the UK, there is a significant knowledge gap when it comes to the symbols on a car’s dashboard.
The research, delved into the understanding of various symbols found on a vehicle’s centre console, revealing age-related disparities and highlighting commonly misunderstood buttons like the MEM and SYNC.
During the study, the drivers were presented with symbols commonly found on a car’s centre console, testing their understanding of each symbol’s purpose.
Drivers who claimed to fully understand a symbol were then asked to provide additional details about its function.
The study showed that 41% of the people in the group could not identify the purpose of the window lock button when shown a picture of it.
Window lock button.
The survey also found that only 28% of drivers know that the snowflake button activates their car’s air conditioning, while the other 72% associated it with cold weather warnings or icy road conditions.
Snowflake (air con) button.
Breaking down the results by age groups, the study revealed that over half of drivers (52%) are unfamiliar with the purpose of the parking assist button. Among those aged 55 and above, nearly 62% admitted to being unaware of its function.
Parking assist button.
Identifying the recirculating air button proved challenging for some drivers between 17 and 24 years of age. This button, which cuts off outside air to circulate inside the car, was not familiar to one in two young drivers.
The survey also highlighted the least understood symbol – the vehicle’s MEM button. A staggering 77% of drivers confessed to not knowing its purpose. Interestingly, 85% of female drivers admitted their lack of knowledge about these symbols, compared to 70% of males.
The SYNC button, with dual functions related to temperature synchronisation and hands-free calls, was the second most misunderstood control, with 73% of drivers unclear about its purpose.
SYNC button. Photos: Supplied, Alberton Record
Even the cruise control button, a common feature allowing constant speed maintenance and fuel efficiency, baffled over 40% of drivers. Of the 60% claiming clarity, more than one in three provided incorrect answers, indicating a significant knowledge gap.
Erin Baker, editorial director at AutoTrader, commented on the findings, emphasising the challenge of understanding a vehicle’s centre console due to varying symbols across brands.
Article: Caxton publication, Alberton Record
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