What does the push button on a car mean?
3 Answers
Here is the relevant introduction about the push button on a car: push means press, and in automotive language, it has three meanings: 1. The PUSH in the middle of the air direction (also called mode) gear knob (with a glass defrosting pattern below), pressing it turns on the light and activates the rear window glass defrosting; 2. The PUSH in the middle of the temperature (also called cold/warm) gear knob (with a pattern of a half-circle with an arrow inside a car, commonly known as the internal circulation symbol), pressing it turns on the light and activates the internal circulation. 3. The third meaning of push is equivalent to the handbrake. The professional term for the handbrake is auxiliary brake, which differs in principle from the main brake. It uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to brake the car. Long-term use of the handbrake will cause the steel cable to undergo plastic deformation. Since this deformation is irreversible, long-term use will reduce its effectiveness, and the handbrake's travel will also increase. A return spring is used in conjunction with the handbrake. When the handbrake is pulled to brake, the spring is stretched; when the handbrake is released, the spring returns to its original length. Long-term use of the handbrake will also cause corresponding deformation of the spring. For small cars, the handbrake is sometimes located behind the transmission, connected to the drive shaft, where there is a brake disc, similar to a disc brake (though drum brakes also exist), and then the pulling force is transmitted there through a steel cable to achieve parking braking.
When I first started driving, I didn’t understand what the ‘push’ button on cars meant. Later, I learned it’s simply a press-style electronic button. The most common one is the engine start/stop button—just press it lightly while stepping on the brake to ignite the engine, which is much more convenient than turning a key, especially on rainy or snowy days when your hands are wet. Some push buttons are used for cruise control; a single press on the highway automatically maintains your speed, making long drives less tiring for your feet. Just remember to turn it off in heavy traffic to avoid distractions. Over time, these buttons may get dusty or stuck, so I recommend wiping them with a soft cloth every few months. If pressing doesn’t work, check the fuse or circuitry. Overall, these features make driving smarter and safer.
My car is a mid-range automatic transmission model, and that push button is essentially an engine start button, typically paired with a smart key: step on the brake and press it once to start the car—simple and efficient design. It’s also commonly used during highway cruising; pressing it activates the system to automatically maintain speed, saving fuel and effort. However, after using it a few times, I’ve learned not to rely on it too much—for sudden lane changes or rainy conditions, manual control is safer. Occasionally, the button may malfunction, possibly due to low battery or an electrical glitch; the first step is to try restarting or checking the battery connection. For maintenance, regular in-shop electrical system checks are sufficient. Overall, the push button enhances convenience and is a standard feature in modern cars.
