Mystery orb on your dashboard: The secret behind solar sensors

Many car features have unclear purposes. One such example is the spherical plastic component on the dashboard, which plays an important role despite its unassuming appearance.

Over the years, car technologies have become increasingly complex. Manufacturers constantly introduce innovative solutions, and many once-rare support systems are now standard, even in small city cars. This often leads us to wonder, "What is this for?"

Drivers may ask this question when they notice an inconspicuous, often spherical object on top of the dashboard near the windshield. This object appears in vehicles with automatic climate control and might appear twice in dual-zone versions. It's a solar sensor.

What does this sensor do? It analyzes the intensity of the sun's rays, allowing the automatic climate control to adjust its mode of operation. For example, if you set the air conditioning to 68 degrees Fahrenheit on a warm, sunny day, the system will aim to cool the car's interior quickly.

When the same temperature is set on cloudy days, the computer system will modify the cooling process, understanding that the interior warms more slowly. This means that the cooling process will proceed differently. Therefore, it's important to ensure that nothing obstructs these sensors.