Drivers are only just realising there’s a hidden emergency button in your car – and it could save your life
DRIVERS are only just realising there is an emergency button hidden under your gear stick – that could save your life.
Many motorists have been hitting the roads while being completely unaware of the feature, according to TikTok car expert Dashishuoche.
He shared a video where he revealed the secret spot where the button is located, while educating viewers on how and when to use it.
Some car owners may have experienced the angst of trying to switch gears, only to find that their shifter is stuck.
This issue can be particularly dangerous if you are stuck in a busy spot or physically on the road when this happens.
Instead of calling a mechanic to help you dislodge the lever and allow you to get on your way, Dashishuoche says you can do it yourself.
He shared his handy hack to show motorists what to do if this vital vehicle component suddenly refuses to budge.
The clip begins by showing the content creator wrestling with the fixture that holds his car’s gear stick in place.
Dashishuoche manages to yank up the dust cover, exposing the transmission knob, wiring and the elusive button.
He told social media users: “Look, there is a yellow button!”
This yellow button is a release switch that overrides the shift lock in cars with automatic transmissions.
Applying pressure to it will unlock the vehicle’s transmission gear shaft.
The camera then hones in on the tiny fluorescent switch that sits among other mechanical components.
The car expert explained: “Take a key and insert it. Press it down after you insert it. Then you can hang up this gear.
“This is just an emergency function on your car. There are many such functions on your car.”
Viewers couldn’t believe the life-saving feature had been hidden right under their noses.
However, not all cars have dust covers surrounding their gear shifter.
Most modern automatic vehicles have a keyhole near the gear shifter.
Open these slots with something like a screwdriver and insert your tool into the hole to unlock.
The most common cause of a stuck gear shifter is a failure to replace transmission fluid on time.
Transmission fluid lubricates moving parts and supplies hydraulic pressure and friction to make the internal parts function.
Like engine oil, old transmission fluid will break down and lose its lubricating and cleaning properties.
No lubricating and cleaning properties can mean high transmission temperatures, sludge accumulation, and excess parts friction.
Conventional automatic transmissions, dual-clutch automatics, and continuously variable automatic transmissions use a specific fluid type.
Check your owner’s manual if you’re unsure which fluid is used in your transmission.
Another possibility could be a damaged hub sleeve, which connects the space between the main gears and allows the stick to move from side to side.
If your gear stick continues to jam it is always best to have a mechanic take a look.
We previously told how swathes of drivers had no idea what the function of a blind spot button was.
Motorists also came across a mode that helps save hundreds on fuel – but has major downsides.
Others recently found a button that turns motors into race cars, but has serious cons.
It comes after another button that could save drivers time was pointed out – while they were warned it comes with serious risks.