Dashboard Bites
WORDS BY ANTONINA JOSON
We’ re back with another round of Dashboard Bites! This time, we’ ve got a new set of interesting auto trivia even your local autophile might not know. Dive in and see which auto fact blows your mind!
The unexpected origins of the word“ car.”
Ever wondered where we got the word“ car?” Random as it may seem, the word comes from the Latin word“ carrum,” which means“ twowheeled cart.” But the origin doesn’ t stop there! The word carrum comes from the Gaulic word“ karros,” meaning chariot. That’ s right— your trusty ol’ sedan is a far-flung descendant of the horse-drawn war carriages of olden times.
Ever wanted to go to the moon with your car?
What’ s the best-selling car of all time?
It’ s the Toyota Corolla! Debuting in 1966, Toyota has sold over 50 million units of this timeless model. That’ s enough to be a country!
Lose your car? Hold the key fob to your head!
Have you ever lost your car in a vast parking lot? Worry not as you can extend the range of your key fob by simply holding it to your head. Odd as it sounds, the fluids in your skull double the range of your fob by allowing the electromagnetic waves from the fob to travel further. In essence, your head acts like an antenna for your key fob!
Highway hypnosis is real.
Have you ever arrived at a destination and wondered why you don’ t remember the ride there? This is called highway hypnosis or“ white line fever.” This phenomenon dates all the way back to the 1920s, where a study discovered suggested that drivers can“ fall asleep with their eyes open” but still be fully conscious of the road in front of them.
Well, it would take you an approximate 6 months! If it ever were possible, an earth-to-moon trip would be in the running for the world’ s longest road trip.
46 ISSUE 52 APRIL 2025 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU