An Aussie driver has gone viral after stumbling across a little-known car feature that’s left motorists across the country gobsmacked.
The hilarious video, posted by young Queensland mum Sammy Rumbold, has been viewed over 1.7million times and had curious road users suddenly reaching for their high beams.
Sammy’s discovery came off the back of a TikTok video she’d seen by chance, but didn’t believe.
‘I thought it was bulls**t’, Sammy said in the clip after seeing another creator claim that some cars come with automatic headlight washers – and that activating them was as easy as flicking a few switches.
‘I just saw a TikTok of this girl saying all cars have an automatic headlight wash thing,’ Sammy said, filming herself beside her Nissan Patrol. ‘So I tried it on the Patrol’.
‘You have to turn the headlights on, then put the high beams on. Then you pull that [windscreen wiper lever] for three seconds… WHAT!?’
To her shock (and obvious delight), jets of water squirted up from the front bumper, spraying the headlights clean.
With over 1300 comments, other users we’re just as interested as Sammy to see if their car too had the fascinating function.
Aussie driver, Sammy Rumbold (pictured), has stumbled across a little-known car feature that’s left motorists across the country gobsmacked
Her video has been viewed over 1.7million times in a matter of days after discovering her car (pictured), and many others in Australia, come with ‘secret’ automatic headlight washers
‘My partner is going outside to do this as we speak in this cold Melbourne weather,’ one wrote.
‘Omg is this an actual thing? Does my 2022 Tucson have this?!’ another asked.
‘Ma’am my car was made in 1990 my automatic headlight washer has two arms, legs and is named me,’ one joked.
Headlight washers are, in fact, tiny nozzles built into the front bumper or just beneath the headlights, designed to blast away dirt and grime for maximum visibility, especially at night or in bad weather.
The feature isn’t just for show, either.
In Australia, and many European countries, headlight washers are legally required for vehicles with high-intensity discharge (HID) or xenon headlights, because dirty lenses can scatter the intense light and blind other drivers.
‘If only the car came with some sort of book that explains all of the vehicle functions… It’s only if you have HID lights and is a legal requirement,’ another commented on Sammy’s video.
Unfortunately for some, not all cars have this fun feature – it’s just for the lucky ones of specific vehicle brands.
To try it, Sammy’s simple instructions are easy to follow: Turn your headlights on (some require high beams specifically), then pull or press your windscreen washer lever for a few seconds
Headlight washers are typically found on higher-end models or 4WD vehicles like the Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, BMW X5, Audi Q7 and some Subaru Outbacks
Headlight washers are typically found on higher-end models or 4WD vehicles like the Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, BMW X5, Audi Q7 and some Subaru Outbacks.
They’re often part of luxury or safety upgrade packs, especially in older models.
If your car doesn’t have the little square caps near the headlights (that sometimes pop out), chances are you’ve missed out.
‘I just tried it on my 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander and it worked!’ a delighted user wrote.
‘My [Toyota LandCruiser] Prado has the same! I was gob smacked when I figured it out,’ said another.
If you’re also curious, Sammy’s simple instructions are easy to follow to find out.
Turn your headlights on (some require high beams specifically), then pull or press your windscreen washer lever for a few seconds.
If installed, the headlight washers should pop out and spray.
Some cars do it automatically when you clean your windshield, but only while the headlights are on.
Who knew headlight hygiene could be so entertaining.