A woman posted a viral TikTok video sharing what the rearview mirror tab in your car is supposed to be used for. She thought this was common knowledge.
Asia (@asiamaee) has reached over 594,000 views and 109,000 likes on her video by Monday afternoon. Viewers are surprised that they’ve never heard of this before.
Asia, a journalist who vlogs about lifestyle, beauty, and fitness, captioned her video saying this is “one of the first things I learned when driving.” She also says, “I thought everybody knew this about their car but apparently it’s not common knowledge.”
She films the rearview mirror in her car and explains how there is a tab underneath that is normally pointed back, and this allows you to see through your back window.
“When you flip this tab up,” she demonstrates, “it only shows you the reflections of what’s behind you.” She says that it is supposed to be used when driving at night time so that other cars’ headlights don’t blind you.
As Science World writes, “By flipping the tab, you change the angle of the mirror so that the headlights bounce off the silvered surface and away from your eyes, while a small amount bounces off the front surface of the glass so you can see a dim image of the headlights.”
“Did you guys know that?” she asks, ending her video.
The internet’s collective response was basically, “OMG no.”
@asiamaee One of the first things i learned when driving #fyp#drivingtips#carhack#rearviewmirror#commonknowledge#safedriving#cargirls ♬ original sound – Asia💕
“Girl I learned something new today, I be fighting for my life when cars are behind me,” a comment says. “Yeah it’s mainly if someone has their brights on,” another adds.
One commenter says, “Ain’t nobody told me nothin’.”
“This app shows me I don’t have common sense,” one admits.
“Here I thought it locked it in place so that it does not easily move if on raggedy roads,” another says. Someone else responds, “I thought it was to blind the person behind you with their own headlights.”
A viewer thanks Asia by commenting, “period. My astigmatism thanks you.”
In other headlines, creators share more driving tips that viewers may not have heard before. A business advisor shared a recent PSA on free car repair services and car salesmen shared what you should never say at a dealership.
The Daily Dot reached out to Asia via TikTok direct message.