Drivers only just discovering what grab handles above car doors are really for

Many motorists are only now discovering the true purpose of the grab handle in their cars - as well as the fuel tank locator and a number of other handy features and signals in their vehicles that they may not have known about. Above each car door, there's usually a handle. You've probably always assumed these are there to give you something to hold onto when the driver takes corners a bit too quickly.

But according to cars.com, these handles are actually very useful for someone with limited mobility trying to get in or out of the car. A wheelchair user or anyone lacking leg strength can use them for stability while manoeuvring into a comfortable position. They function similarly to bathroom grab bars.

Here are five more helpful features you may not have known about, the Mirror reports.

Helpful fuel tank locator

How often have you pulled into a petrol station in a hire car, only to realise you don't know which side the petrol tank is on? Guessing incorrectly can be more than just a nuisance - it either requires a tricky manoeuvre or an attempt to stretch the hose around to the other side of the vehicle.

Even if you've spent many years driving your own, borrowed, or rented vehicles, including the dreaded hired moving lorries, you may be surprised to learn that there's a small arrow next to most petrol gauges indicating which side it's on.

This feature has been standard on new cars for nearly a decade, so next time you're about to fill up a new car, check this dashboard feature.

Road condition indicators

The location of the petrol cap isn't the only intriguing feature you'll discover if you pay attention to the dashboard of a new car. During cold weather drives, you might spot an unusual dashboard light that resembles a road with a snowflake on it.

This is intended as a warning that the external temperature is low enough for roads to freeze, as per mycardoeswhat.org, a site established by the National Safety Council and the University of Iowa.

Stability control.

When driving on wet or icy roads, you may occasionally notice a dash light flash depicting a tiny car skidding. This is a sign that your stability control feature has been momentarily activated to keep you on track (quite literally).

All cars sold in the United States since 2011 have been mandated to include stability control, according to mycardoeswhat.org.

Sensors can detect if the car is turning too much (preparing to spin out) or not turning enough (risking veering off the road), and it applies the brakes on one or more wheels to manage the turn.

If there's a button in your car that allows you to disable stability or traction control, disregard it. The only instance you would need to switch off this feature is when attempting to free the vehicle from deep snow, as stated by mycardoeswhat.org.

Tyre pressure monitor

Since 2008, all new cars have been fitted with sensors that monitor tyre pressure. If the air in your tyres is running low, a dashboard light, usually shaped like a tyre cross-section with an exclamation point, will alert you.

In some of the latest car models, the indicator even specifies which tyre is losing air. To find out the ideal tyre pressure for your car, refer to your vehicle's manual.