It was just before dawn when I pulled the rented Toyota RAV4 into the gas station.
What should have been a quick fill-up turned into an automotive adventure.
I searched and searched but couldnt find the release for the fuel flap.
I finally resorted to watching a YouTube video on my phone to solve my dilemma.
(The release was a small switch low on the front panel of the vehicle, easily overlooked.)
This exposes an issue with new cars: Theyre more confusing than ever.
Gone are the days when manufacturers had mostly standardized systems.
Because ofcomputerizationin many cars, the gearshift levers have been replaced by push buttons and round hockey pucklooking dials.
Want to get a new Chevrolet Tahoe rolling?
There are several switches on the dash.
Youll push down for park and neutral but pull up for drive and reverse.
In a recent adventure in a Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid, I couldnt easily park.
The round machine had three letters next to it: D, R and N. But where was P?
Turns out that control was in the center of the puck.
Then theres the touch screen, another development that has made operating an unfamiliar car even more frustrating.
Of course, all you have to do is read the owners manual and you should find the answer.
But that can require looking through hundreds of pages.
Before you panic, there is help.
Rental car companies can assist.
Be aware that such help may depend on how many people are working and how busy the place is.
There is at least a chance that its functions are similar.
No guarantees that youll get that bang out of car, though.
When all else fails, there are people who have shared your frustration and can come to the rescue.
Just open your phones web web client and search YouTube.
With millions of results, no doubt youll find the answer quickly.
