BBQ Tongs in Your Car? This Unexpected Trick Could Save You at the Parking Lot

Many drivers use their cars every day without realizing how many convenient features and simple tricks are already at their fingertips. A few little-known standard features and clever workarounds can make everyday driving easier and more practical without spending money on extra equipment.

We previously looked at another unusual car hack involving cooking oil, including how a small amount of vegetable oil can help with car care, remove adhesive residue and handle other everyday problems.

A surprising number of drivers don't take full advantage of their vehicles. Sometimes, even an ordinary kitchen tool or an easy-to-miss button inside the cabin can come in handy when you need it most.

BBQ Tongs in Your Car: Why Drivers Might Want Them

Many drivers have experienced the same frustrating situation at a parking garage: You pull up to the payment machine, only to find that your car is several inches too far away to reach it comfortably.

You could unbuckle your seat belt and awkwardly lean out the window, or you could put the car back in gear and reposition it.

There is another simple solution: a pair of long-handled BBQ tongs.

If the parking ticket is sticking out of the machine and the vehicle is completely stopped, the tongs can let you grab the ticket without leaving the driver's seat or repositioning the car.

This Sun Visor Feature Can Help Block the Sun

Many drivers know that a sun visor can be flipped down or swung toward the side window. But on many modern vehicles, the visor can also slide along its mounting rod.

That extra movement lets you cover more of the window and provides better protection from sunlight coming in from the side.

The Small Lever Under the Rearview Mirror Has a Purpose

There's also a small lever underneath the interior rearview mirror that serves an important purpose.

Flipping it changes the angle of the mirror's reflective surface, reducing the glare from headlights behind you at night while still allowing you to see the road clearly.

How to Tell Which Side the Fuel Door Is On

When you're driving a rental car or someone else's vehicle, there's no need to guess which side the fuel door is on.

Look at the fuel gauge on the dashboard. On most vehicles, a small arrow next to the gas-pump icon points toward the side of the car where the fuel door is located.

Your Fuel Cap Has a Place to Go

During a fuel stop, you don't have to put the gas cap on the roof or leave it dangling from its tether.

On many vehicles, the inside of the fuel door has a small holder or recess designed to keep the cap secure while you're filling up.

This Key Fob Trick Can Be Useful on Hot Days

On many modern vehicles, holding down the unlock button on the key fob for several seconds can lower all of the windows at once.

It's a handy feature on hot days because it lets you vent some of the heat from the cabin before you get inside.

The exact operation can vary by vehicle, so check the owner's manual if the feature doesn't work.

What to Do If Your Key Fob Battery Dies

A dead key-fob battery doesn't necessarily mean you're locked out of your car.

Many key fobs contain a hidden mechanical emergency key that can be removed from the housing. The driver's door lock is often concealed beneath a small plastic cover on the door handle.

Once the cover is removed, the mechanical key can be used to unlock the door manually.

The Small Button on Your Seat Belt Has an Important Job

That little plastic button attached to the seat belt webbing isn't there just for looks.

It acts as a stop for the metal buckle, keeping it from sliding all the way down toward the floor. That way, the buckle remains within easy reach when you need to fasten your seat belt.

Why Does the Metal Seat Belt Tongue Have a Hole?

The rectangular opening in the metal seat belt tongue has a surprisingly simple secondary use.

In a pinch, it can be used as a bottle opener.

So the next time you spot a small button, lever or opening inside your vehicle, don't assume it's meaningless. Automakers often build small conveniences into their cars that can make everyday driving a little easier.