AutosSpherical mystery: The dashboard sensor enhances your drive

Spherical mystery: The dashboard sensor enhances your drive

In every car, you'll find various elements whose purposes aren't always obvious. One such example is the spherical plastic object on the dashboard, which plays an important role despite its simple appearance.

Contrary to appearances, he didn't end up there by accident.
Contrary to appearances, he didn't end up there by accident.
Images source: © Photo by Mariusz Zmysłowski
Aleksander Ruciński

Over the years, automotive technology has become increasingly complex. Manufacturers continually introduce innovative solutions, and many once rare support systems are now standard even in small city cars. This can lead us to wonder: "What is this for?"

Drivers might ask this question when they see an inconspicuous, often spherical component on the top of the dashboard near the windshield. This feature appears in vehicles with automatic climate control, and you might see it twice in dual-zone versions. It's a solar sensor.

What does this sensor do? It analyzes the intensity of the sun's rays, allowing the automatic climate control to adjust its operation. For instance, if on a warm, sunny day, you set the air conditioning to 20 degrees Celsius, the system will aim to cool the car's interior quickly.

On cloudy days, when you set the same temperature, the system will adjust the cooling based on the slower warming of the interior, meaning that the cooling process will differ. Therefore, it's important to ensure that nothing obstructs these sensors.

© Daily Wrap
·

Downloading, reproduction, storage, or any other use of content available on this website—regardless of its nature and form of expression (in particular, but not limited to verbal, verbal-musical, musical, audiovisual, audio, textual, graphic, and the data and information contained therein, databases and the data contained therein) and its form (e.g., literary, journalistic, scientific, cartographic, computer programs, visual arts, photographic)—requires prior and explicit consent from Wirtualna Polska Media Spółka Akcyjna, headquartered in Warsaw, the owner of this website, regardless of the method of exploration and the technique used (manual or automated, including the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence programs). The above restriction does not apply solely to facilitate their search by internet search engines and uses within contractual relations or permitted use as specified by applicable law.Detailed information regarding this notice can be found  here.