What does 'push' mean in cars?
2 Answers
In automotive terminology, 'push' represents the action of pressing. It carries three specific meanings in vehicle systems: 1. The 'push' button at the center of the air direction control knob - when pressed with its light illuminated, it activates rear window defrosting; 2. The 'push' button at the center of the temperature control knob - when pressed with its light on, it enables air recirculation mode; 3. 'Push' functionally serves as the parking brake. The professional term for parking brake is auxiliary brake, which operates differently from service brakes by using steel cables connected to rear brake shoes to immobilize the vehicle. Prolonged use of parking brakes may cause plastic deformation in the cables. As this deformation is irreversible, chronic usage will gradually reduce effectiveness and increase the brake lever travel distance. The parking brake system also incorporates return springs - stretching when engaged and returning to original length when released.
I recently drove a friend's car and discovered the push-button start feature, which felt super convenient. This 'push' usually refers to the button in a keyless ignition system—you just step on the brake and press it to start the engine, no need to twist a key like in older cars. As a newbie, I was concerned about safety, but the system is smartly designed: the key fob must be nearby for it to work, preventing accidental starts. It’s also said to help avoid forgetting to remove the key. At first, though, I kept forgetting to turn off the engine, having to press the button again after parking. Overall, push-button start makes driving simpler and more modern, and now many new cars, especially higher-end models, come with this feature. I’d recommend reading the manual carefully when using it for the first time to get familiar with the operation, and make sure not to lose the key—otherwise, you won’t be able to start the car.
