What is the slot for placing cups in a car called?
4 Answers
The slot for placing cups in a car is called the center console. Here is some additional information: 1. Front center console: The front center console is a commonly used term in the automotive industry. Located between the front seats, it provides elbow support for the front passengers, and most front center consoles also come with cup holders and storage functions underneath. 2. Configuration: Some models feature cup holders or storage compartments on the rear center console, while certain luxury cars even integrate a human-machine interaction system on the rear center console, allowing control of the rear entertainment system. 3. Wooden density board material: Plastic armrest boxes often have unique and novel designs that look more aesthetically pleasing, while wooden density board materials feature an integrated design that appears more conventional but is more stable than plastic, preventing any abnormalities during driving.
This spot is commonly referred to as a cup holder—simple yet practical. Designs vary significantly across different car models. In regular family sedans, you’ll often find circular recesses on the door panels, and the center console may feature slots with retainers. Some SUVs go the extra mile, incorporating pop-out cup holders beneath the rear AC vents. When using them, be cautious not to place overly tall cups, as they can tip over during sudden braking. I once saw a car owner spill cola in the cup holder, which ended up sticking coins and jamming the spring—making cleanup a real hassle. Luxury vehicles with heated/cooled cup holders even have semiconductor temperature-control pads at the base, though these tend to accumulate dust over time and require frequent cleaning.
People usually call it a cup holder or beverage holder. I've noticed that some Japanese cars have particularly ingenious cup holder designs, such as the Honda Fit's air vent cup holder, which keeps drinks chilled in summer with the AC on. German cars prefer cup holders with retractable clamps to prevent cans from rattling. Nowadays, new energy vehicles favor hidden designs that pop out with a press on the center console. However, the most practical ones are actually the door panel recesses in older off-road vehicles, which are wide enough to fit even a thermos. Remember not to pour freshly boiled water into plastic cup holders—I've personally seen cases where the cup holder got deformed from the heat.
In our repair shop, we all call this a cup holder. It's not just for holding cups; the load-bearing capacity varies greatly depending on its location. The cup holder behind the gear lever can hold up to 1 kilogram, while the one on the door panel, being farther from the hinge, can cause door panel noises if beverages over 500 grams are placed there long-term. During modifications, it's advisable not to install a phone mount in the cup holder area, as vibrations can lead to the holder's clips breaking. The most extreme case I've seen was long-term water accumulation in a cup holder, which eventually short-circuited the circuit board underneath—the repair cost was equivalent to ten cup holders.
