If you often sit in a car, you must have seen the small handles above the windows. Yes, those are hand grips. At first glance, they seem insignificant, but their function cannot be underestimated. Not just an interior design element, these hand grips play an important role in comfort and safety during the journey.

Unfortunately, many people still don't really know its true function. Some even use it as a coat hanger! In fact, there are good reasons why these handles are installed in every row of seats, from SUVs, MPVs, hatchbacks, to vans.

More Than Just a Handle

Car hand grips are generally made of plastic with a curved shape for easy grip. They are located on the cabin roof near the door and serve to maintain passenger balance while the car is moving, especially on bumpy or damaged roads.

In addition, these handles also help in emergency situations. When the car stops suddenly, the hand grip can be used as a quick handle to stabilize your body position.

1. Help Maintain Seating Position

The main function of hand grips is to maintain seating position so that the body is not pushed forward due to centrifugal force when the car is cornering or driving on uneven roads. These handles help the body remain stable, especially when the car is shaking.

But it is important to remember that even though they can help with balance, seat belts are still mandatory. Hand grips are only a supplement, not a substitute for seat belts.

2. Makes Getting In and Out of the Car Easier

For those of you who often ride in SUVs or cars with high bodies, hand grips are also a lifesaver when getting in and out. With these additional handles, you can maintain your balance and prevent slipping. Simple, but very helpful.

The Right Way to Use Hand Grips

To maximize its benefits, here's how to use hand grips correctly:

1. Hold them firmly but relaxed. Don't grip too tightly; just enough to maintain your balance while the car is moving.
2. Use them only when necessary. Avoid gripping them continuously to prevent your hands from getting tired quickly.
3. Position your hands correctly. Don't obstruct the driver's view, especially if you're sitting in the front.
4. Know its location. By knowing where the hand grip is in the car, you can react quickly if there is a sudden jolt.
5. Always wear your seatbelt. This is mandatory. Hand grips are only an additional feature, not the primary safety device.

As a note, hand grips should only be used by passengers. Drivers must remain focused on controlling the steering wheel with both hands. So, let the grip be a comfortable aid for passengers, not a distraction behind the wheel.

Conclusion

The hand grip may be a small component, but it has a big impact on safety and comfort in the cabin. So, the next time you get in a car and see a small grip above the window, remember—it's not just a decoration, but a balance guard that's ready to help with every bump.

Indonesia 🇮🇩

Fungsi Hand Grip Mobil yang Jarang Diketahui

Kalau kamu sering duduk di dalam mobil, pasti pernah lihat pegangan kecil di atas jendela. Ya, itu dia hand grip. Sekilas terlihat sepele, tapi ternyata fungsinya nggak bisa dianggap remeh. Bukan cuma elemen desain interior, hand grip ini punya peran penting buat kenyamanan dan keselamatan selama perjalanan.

Sayangnya, masih banyak orang yang belum benar-benar tahu fungsi aslinya. Beberapa malah menjadikannya gantungan baju! Padahal, pegangan ini punya alasan kuat kenapa dipasang di setiap baris kursi, mulai dari SUV, MPV, hatchback, sampai van.

Lebih dari Sekadar Pegangan

Hand grip mobil umumnya terbuat dari plastik dengan bentuk melengkung supaya mudah digenggam. Letaknya di atap kabin dekat pintu, dan berfungsi menjaga keseimbangan penumpang saat mobil melaju, terutama di jalan yang bergelombang atau rusak.

Selain itu, pegangan ini juga membantu dalam situasi darurat. Ketika mobil berhenti mendadak, hand grip bisa jadi pegangan cepat untuk menstabilkan posisi tubuh.

1. Bantu Jaga Posisi Duduk

Fungsi utama hand grip adalah menjaga posisi duduk supaya tubuh nggak terdorong akibat gaya sentrifugal saat mobil menikung atau melewati jalan tidak rata. Pegangan ini membantu tubuh tetap stabil, terutama saat mobil terguncang.

Tapi penting diingat, meski bisa membantu keseimbangan, seat belt tetap wajib digunakan. Hand grip hanyalah pelengkap, bukan pengganti sabuk pengaman.

2. Mempermudah Naik-Turun Mobil

Bagi kamu yang sering naik SUV atau mobil dengan bodi tinggi, hand grip juga jadi penyelamat saat naik dan turun. Dengan pegangan tambahan ini, kamu bisa menjaga keseimbangan dan mencegah terpeleset. Sederhana, tapi sangat membantu.

Cara Tepat Menggunakan Hand Grip

Supaya manfaatnya maksimal, berikut cara menggunakan hand grip yang benar:

1. Pegang dengan mantap, tapi santai. Jangan terlalu kaku, cukup untuk jaga keseimbangan tubuh saat mobil melaju.
2. Gunakan seperlunya. Hindari menggenggam terus-menerus biar tangan nggak cepat pegal.
3. Posisi tangan harus tepat. Jangan sampai mengganggu pandangan pengemudi, terutama kalau duduk di depan.
4. Kenali posisinya. Dengan tahu lokasi hand grip di mobil, kamu bisa cepat bereaksi kalau terjadi guncangan.
5. Tetap pakai sabuk pengaman. Ini wajib. Hand grip hanya tambahan, bukan alat utama keselamatan.

Sebagai catatan, penggunaan hand grip sebaiknya hanya untuk penumpang. Pengemudi harus tetap fokus mengendalikan setir dengan dua tangan penuh. Jadi, biarkan pegangan itu jadi alat bantu nyaman bagi penumpang, bukan distraksi di balik kemudi.

Kesimpulan

Hand grip memang komponen kecil, tapi dampaknya besar untuk keselamatan dan kenyamanan di dalam kabin. Jadi, lain kali kamu naik mobil dan melihat pegangan kecil di atas jendela, ingat—itu bukan sekadar hiasan, tapi penjaga keseimbangan yang siap bantu di setiap guncangan.