IS THAT REALLY BRAILLE ON THE DRIVER’S WINDOW SWITCH?

Dear Car Talk:

I had a 2002 Ford Focus four-door hatchback that I started driving in 2010 and traded in last February. On the door right next to the button that rolled down the driver’s-side window -- I want to emphasize the driver’s-side window -- there was some Braille. Why? -- Rich

Good question, Rich. I’m assuming there was not a long, white cane sticking out of the front grille that moved back and forth feeling for potholes.

Believe it or not, I never memorized the inside door panel of the ‘02 Focus, but I think I know the answer.

On a number of cars we drive, there is some raised plastic on the driver’s window switch. I assume that’s so when you’re driving along and you put your left index and middle fingers on the window controls, you can feel which switch is for the driver’s window without having to look at it.

So it is kind of like Braille. Your fingertips are very sensitive, so they don’t need much to distinguish one switch from another.

As to whether your old car’s switch was actually Braille, I don’t know. If it is, it probably said either “Driver’s window” or “You should have bought the Chevy, Rich.”

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(c) 2018 by Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman

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