The Hidden Features of Your Car's Infotainment System You're Not Using

YOUSSEF MOSSTAKIM
The Hidden Features of Your Car's Infotainment System You're Not Using<
The Hidden Features of Your Car's Infotainment System You're Not Using

The Hidden Features of Your Car's Infotainment System You're Not Using

The large, vibrant touchscreen in the center of your car's dashboard is the command center for your modern driving experience. While most of us use it for the basics—navigation and playing music—these powerful infotainment systems are packed with a surprising number of hidden features and clever shortcuts that most drivers never discover. Whether you use Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or a native manufacturer system, you're likely only scratching the surface of what it can do. This guide will reveal some of the best hidden features that will make your drive smarter, safer, and more convenient.

For Apple CarPlay Users

  • Customize Your Home Screen: Did you know you can rearrange the app icons on your CarPlay screen? On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay, select your car, and tap "Customize." Here you can drag and drop to arrange the icons just how you like them, putting your most-used apps within easy reach.
  • Share Your ETA in Maps: While navigating with Apple Maps, you can easily share your estimated time of arrival with a contact. Tap the menu at the bottom of the screen and select "Share ETA." It will send a notification to your contact with a live-updating link to your progress.
  • Use Driving Focus for Smarter Notifications: The "Driving Focus" mode can be customized to allow notifications from specific people or apps while silencing everything else, giving you more granular control than a simple "Do Not Disturb."

For Android Auto Users

  • Enable Developer Mode for Advanced Tweaks: In the Android Auto app on your phone, go to "Settings" and scroll to the bottom. Tap on the "Version" number repeatedly (about 10 times) until it says "Developer options enabled." You can now access a new menu with options to control things like video resolution and the number of app notifications.
  • Create Custom Voice Command Shortcuts: Using the Google Assistant app on your phone, you can create "Routines" that trigger complex actions with a simple phrase. For example, you can create a routine for "Hey Google, let's go home" that automatically starts navigation to your house, plays your favorite podcast, and sends a text to your partner saying you're on your way.
  • Quickly Switch Between Music and Maps: Android Auto displays your most recently used apps in a taskbar. Tapping the icon of the app you're currently in (e.g., tapping the Spotify icon while Spotify is open) will often reveal a simplified "widget" view, allowing you to see your map directions and music controls at the same time.

For Native Infotainment Systems (Ford SYNC, Toyota, etc.)

Every manufacturer's system is different, but they often share similar hidden features.

  • Explore the "Valet Mode": Many modern cars have a "Valet Mode" that you can activate before handing your keys over. It often requires a PIN and will lock down access to your personal data (like navigation history and contacts) and may even limit the car's top speed or acceleration.
  • Dive into the Equalizer (EQ) Settings: Don't settle for the default audio settings. Buried in your car's sound menu is a multi-band equalizer that lets you fine-tune the bass, mid-range, and treble to get the absolute best sound from your specific car's speaker system.
  • Customize the Onboard Voice Assistant: Many native voice assistants allow you to create custom "wake words" or shortcuts for common commands. You might be able to change the default "Hey [Car Brand]" to a phrase you prefer.
  • Look for Smart Home Integration: An increasing number of new cars, especially EVs, have built-in smart home integration. You might be able to link your Google Home or Amazon Alexa account directly to your car, allowing you to say things like, "Turn on the living room lights" as you pull into your driveway.

Conclusion: Your Car is Smarter Than You Think

Your car's infotainment system is a powerful computer, and its developers have hidden a wealth of functionality just beneath the surface. By taking a few minutes to explore the settings, customize your layouts, and learn the advanced voice commands, you can unlock a smarter, more personalized, and more convenient driving experience. It's time to discover what your car can really do.