What is the function of the small black stick on the dashboard?
2 Answers
The function of the small black stick on the dashboard is: 1. Display average fuel consumption: Press it once to show the vehicle's average fuel consumption; 2. Display average speed: Press it twice to show the vehicle's average speed; 3. Trip odometer: Press it three times to display mileage statistics, and hold it down to reset the mileage. The car dashboard is a device that reflects the working conditions of various vehicle systems, commonly including indicators such as fuel level, washer fluid, electronic throttle, front/rear fog lights, and warning lights. Standard gauges include speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and charging gauge.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and this little black knob is a real treasure in the hands of us veteran drivers. It's mainly used to adjust the brightness of the dashboard backlight, which is especially important when driving at night—too bright and it strains your eyes, too dim and you can't clearly see the tachometer or safety warning lights. I always set it to a comfortable level for my eyes to avoid driving fatigue. Additionally, in some cars, this little knob can also control the display of trip computer information, like checking fuel consumption or tire pressure data, but most of the time I focus on adjusting the brightness. I remember during my last maintenance check, it got stuck, and the mechanic said if it's not lubricated for a long time, it might fail, causing all the dashboard lights to dim—that would be dangerously risky for night driving. So, regular checks on small components like this are essential. After all, driving safety is no small matter, and even a tiny design feature can greatly enhance driving comfort.
