If you think you're familiar with every detail of your car, it might be time to take a closer look. A quirky feature has recently caught the attention of drivers after suddenly going viral online.

What seemed like just another part of the vehicle has turned out to be a surprising gadget, sparking both amusement and curiosity.

Many are now sharing their unexpected discoveries, much to the delight of others.



Take Jessica Curry from Geraldton, WA, for example. She’d always assumed the little bumps under her 2022 Nissan Patrol’s headlights were just parking sensors.

But after seeing a viral video, she asked her husband, who confirmed they were actually sprayers.

'It was absolutely hilarious [when I saw it the first time],' Jessica said.


'We do a lot of long drives and night driving, so it’s good to have as an option! It’s quite a masculine car to have a cute little wash feature.'

While the exact method can differ depending on your car’s make and model, Nissan Patrol owners have shared a simple sequence that works for them. First, turn your headlights on.

Next, switch on your high beams. Finally, hold the window wipers on for three seconds to trigger the feature.


Voilà! The sprayer arms pop out, dousing your headlights with water and windscreen detergent, clearing away dirt and bugs in a flash.

It’s a bit like your car giving itself a mini facial, who knew?

The trend has sparked a flurry of activity, with thousands of curious motorists dashing out to their driveways to see if their own cars are hiding this nifty feature.

The reactions have ranged from pure joy to playful disappointment.

One driver proudly declared, 'My 2008 Outlander has it!' while another, less fortunate, quipped, 'Ma’am, my car was made in 1990. My automatic headlight washer has two arms, legs, and is named me.'

So, what’s the deal with these headlight washers? They’re most commonly found on newer vehicles, especially larger 4WDs, SUVs, and cars equipped with high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights.

These powerful lights can get dirty quickly, and a quick spray helps keep them shining bright for safer night driving.

In fact, in some countries, headlight washers are a legal requirement for cars with HID or LED headlights, as dirty lenses can scatter light and dazzle other drivers.

But why haven’t more of us noticed them before? Well, unless you’ve read your car’s manual cover to cover (and let’s be honest, who has?), It’s easy to overlook these subtle features.

Plus, the activation sequence isn’t exactly intuitive—no wonder so many Aussies are only just discovering them now!

Beyond the laughs and 'aha!' moments, this viral trend is a great reminder of just how much technology is packed into modern cars.

From lane-keeping assist to automatic emergency braking, today’s vehicles are brimming with clever features designed to make driving safer and more comfortable.

Headlight washers might not be as flashy as some of these, but they’re a perfect example of the little touches that can make a big difference, especially on those long, bug-splattered country drives.


Have you discovered any surprising features in your car? Did you rush out to check for headlight washers after reading this? Or do you have a classic car where the only 'automatic washer' is a bucket and sponge? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and even your funniest car feature fails in the comments below.

Read more: Woman goes on rampage and causes traffic in her area! What happened?