Inside your car’s dashboard: Decoding the mysterious grilles

The interior of a car features various elements whose functions may not always be obvious. One such element is the grille, which can be noticed in different places on the dashboard. There is a good chance that your child might ask about it, so it's worth knowing the answer.

In the car's interior, you can encounter a variety of unusual elements, such as protruding plastic at the top of the dashboard or grilles in different spots on the cockpit. While those mounted near the light at the top often conceal a microphone, those placed by the steering column or in the middle of the centre panel serve different functions.

In most cases, behind such a grille is an internal temperature sensor that works with automatic air conditioning. The sensor sends information about the temperature inside the cabin to the controller, which adjusts the air conditioning's intensity accordingly in automatic mode. Additionally, the air conditioning relies on a sunlight intensity sensor located on the dashboard.

How can you identify the temperature sensor grille? Often, there is a small fan behind it—if you hold a light piece of paper to the grille, it should stay in place. However, it's important not to cover the grille or stick anything to it in the long run, as this may negatively affect the air conditioning's performance.

Interestingly, identical grilles can be found in cars without automatic air conditioning. This may be because it was more cost-effective for the manufacturer to produce one design rather than create two different designs.