What does 'menu' mean in a car?
4 Answers
Menu refers to the summary of parameter settings for the car audio system, which can be operated via touchscreen, buttons, or knobs. It includes adjustments for standard audio settings like treble, midrange, and bass, surround sound settings, left-right sound field adjustments, as well as sound effect configurations. Additionally, it covers car-specific features such as front-rear sound field intensity adjustments and multi-source input selection. In car multimedia entertainment systems, the 'mute' button serves to silence the audio. When answering calls or listening to music, pressing the 'menu' button can mute the sound. The 'menu' button for the car air conditioning system serves as a functional menu button. Pressing it displays basic air conditioning functions on the screen, such as adjusting fan speed, switching between cooling and heating modes, etc. The 'menu' button is typically found on the multifunction steering wheel controls or the central console, serving a similar purpose—pressing it opens the corresponding menu. The functionality of the 'menu' button varies across different car models. Some models may not have a 'menu' button, replacing it with a 'SET' button instead.
Honestly, the 'menu' button in a car usually refers to the menu key on the steering wheel or the central control screen! Pressing it brings up the operation interface for functions like music, navigation, and vehicle settings. Nowadays, many new cars use large touchscreens, so the menu button might be integrated into the menu bar at the bottom of the screen. However, veteran drivers often complain that some cars have eliminated all physical buttons for air conditioning, forcing you to navigate through multiple menu layers just to adjust the fan speed—distracting and dangerous while driving. It's recommended to buy a car with physical knobs or use voice control for safer operation.
The Menu button essentially serves as the entry point to the vehicle's infotainment system, which I consider to be the master switch of the digital cockpit. Pressing it activates the central control main menu, functioning similarly to a smartphone's home screen. It's important to note that system designs vary significantly across brands—for instance, BMW's iDrive Menu button allows rotary selection, while Tesla integrates the menu directly on the left side of the touchscreen. The evolution of this feature is quite fascinating: a decade ago, it relied on physical buttons, whereas some cars now employ gesture control. I recommend that new car owners take time to familiarize themselves with their vehicle's menu logic to avoid the hassle of searching for functions like tire pressure monitoring while driving.
I noticed a detail when riding in a friend's new car the other day: physical menu buttons are becoming increasingly rare. Most functions are now integrated into the main screen, while frequently used features like air conditioning and seat heating are buried deep in menus. Personally, I suggest manufacturers retain essential physical buttons, especially for emergency functions like wipers and defogging. Last week during rain on the highway, my colleague tried to activate the rearview mirror heating in his new energy vehicle, but it took three minutes to find it buried three layers deep in the menu - meanwhile the windshield completely fogged up. This kind of design really needs improvement.
