# AS SEEN ON TV: Secret hidey hole compartments in cars **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 16, 2022, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048 "2022-07-16T13:36:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/41 "2022-07-18T19:31:34Z")
Exactly and the fake seat belt buckle seems like much more of a nuisance than the actual seat belt or hearing a chime. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/42 "2022-07-19T04:01:25Z")
If you’re only driving 20 feet, so what if it beeps? BMW by the way stops beeping in about 30 seconds or 300 feet, I’ve never tested which. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/43 "2022-07-19T11:26:44Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > If you’re only driving 20 feet, so what if it beeps? If it is my car, and the beep can be easily disabled, why not? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/44 "2022-07-19T11:27:32Z")
ETA: @md-2000 two posts above … About the 400th time that happens today one might get annoyed with it. Day after day after day after … Some people have a lot less patience for uppity computers than others do. I’m merely pointing out _why_ someone who works at a rental car agency might choose to bypass seat belt alarms. It’s apparent such people exist. It’s not that hard to understand why they might choose to do as they do. Whether you (or I) think they’re making a sound decision is a separate discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/45 "2022-07-19T11:50:34Z")
You’re kidding, right?! 😳 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/46 "2022-07-19T12:14:33Z")
No. Why? ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/47 "2022-07-19T12:17:51Z")
But using the alarm-bypasser would be about the same amount of work as using the seat belt itself. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/48 "2022-07-19T12:19:59Z")
Not if you’re doing it hundreds of times a day, while wearing a uniform including a name tag. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/49 "2022-07-19T12:30:02Z")
Yes, but there are assholes who will scream that they have a “right” not to be harassed by a seat belt alarm because it is their “right” to become a human ping-pong ball inside a wreck in progress. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/50 "2022-07-19T12:34:23Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > For example, to disable the seatbelt chime you turn the key to accessory, turn steering wheel to the right, pump the breaks three times, then start the car In our old Hyundai that sequence activates the flux capacitor 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/51 "2022-07-19T12:34:34Z")
Because it sounds like something you’d see in a James Bond movie. Since wearing a seat belt is the law, disabling the seat belt alarm should also be against the law as far as I’m concerned. Be that as it may, if it is in fact legal to disable the alarm, they should have a simple function to do so. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/52 "2022-07-19T12:49:08Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Since wearing a seat belt is the law, In which state/country? I know that New Hampshire has no seat belt law. I wear my seatbelt the majority of the time when in my vehicle. I don’t bother if I’m moving cars around my parking area/garage at home. I don’t leave the house without getting dressed, but I don’t need warning chimes going off any time I walk around the house naked. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/53 "2022-07-19T12:51:03Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Because it sounds like something you’d see in a James Bond movie. For my current vehicle: Complete all steps within 60 seconds. 1. With the ignition off, buckle your seatbelt. 2. Turn your ignition to the “ON” position. 3. Wait until the “Fasten Seatbelt” reminder light goes out. 4. Unbuckle and rebuckle your seatbelt a MINIMUM of 3 times, ending with the seatbelt buckled. 5. Turn ignition to “OFF”. AFTER step 5 you should hear a chime to indicate it has worked. To turn the seatbelt chime back on, repeat the process. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/54 "2022-07-19T12:52:27Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > In which state/country? I know that New Hampshire has no seat belt law. In ALL of them other than D.C. and the “live free or die” state. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/55 "2022-07-19T12:55:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I don’t leave the house without getting dressed, but I don’t need warning chimes going off any time I walk around the house naked. I’m going to be a REALLY good girl and not post a wisecrack. 😈 ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/56 "2022-07-19T13:02:18Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > About the 400th time that happens today one might get annoyed with it. Day after day after day after … > > Some people have a lot less patience for uppity computers than others do. > > I’m merely pointing out _why_ someone who works at a rental car agency might choose to bypass seat belt alarms. It’s apparent such people exist. It’s not that hard to understand why they might choose to do as they do. Whether you (or I) think they’re making a sound decision is a separate discussio Reminds me of the comedian talking about seatbelts… “My grandpa refused to wear his seatbelt. he said if he was ever in a bad collision, he’d prefer to be thrown clear. Funny thing, everyone on airplanes wears their seatbelt, even though it doesn’t really help. Nobody in a plane crash says they want to be ‘thrown clear’. Instead of a seatbelt alarm, the seatback should slam your head against the windshield just to show you how _hard_ that thing really is.” ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/57 "2022-07-19T13:12:59Z")
Are you talking about a different type? The one I saw linked above is basically the buckle with no belt attached - carrying it around, “buckling” it and remembering to take it out of each car after moving the car doesn’t seem to be less work than buckling the actual seat-belt. I could see using the silencer if you are carrying packages that set off the passenger seat alarm. Maybe if for some reason you just were opposed to using a seat belt or hearing the noise for 20 feet or buckling the belt behind you - but not because it’s less work. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/58 "2022-07-19T13:27:26Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Since wearing a seat belt is the law, disabling the seat belt alarm should also be against the law as far as I’m concerned. Be that as it may, if it is in fact legal to disable the alarm, they should have a simple function to do so. Naw. I don’t want to accidentally turn it off, and then have to spend half an hour reading the owner’s manual to figure out how to turn it back on. Let Kayaker read the manual once, and be happy to have succeeded. I always use my seatbelt. Except… I don’t use the seatbelt when I’m moving my car out of the garage to access the lawnmower. Or if I’ve parked the on the street, then looked at my lousy parking job and decide I need to get back in and wiggle it a little more. Or… If I’ll be moving more than 5mph, I use the seatbelt. Heck, I routinely fidget with it to keep it snug while I’m driving. But I don’t bother if I’m not actually traveling on a road. But I don’t mind the chime. I drive my husband nuts, because I’ll get in the car, put the key in the ignition, and fuss with the mirrors (we share a car. We have the same hip-to-toe length, but need the mirrors in very different positions) and maybe fuss with other controls before I buckle my seatbelt. He used to complain when he was the passenger, but I said that the car serves me, not vice versa. When he’s driving and I’m the passenger, I buckle promptly. Driver’s choice. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/59 "2022-07-19T13:45:38Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > My car complains about my “passenger” being unbuckled whenever I put a bag of groceries in the shotgun seat. Which I deal with by just leaving that belt always buckled across the empty seat. My car doesn’t complain, but it does activate a light on the dashboard to indicate that the passenger airbag is disabled. (Because if that weight is a human being, they are small and light enough that the airbag might injure them.) ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048/60 "2022-07-19T13:45:48Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I always use my seatbelt. Except… Perfectly reasonable. Still, as someone mentioned, is it worth the time and effort to go through all those steps just to move or straighten out your vehicle? Seems like you could get perform the task at least as quickly. Also, is the alarm disabled permanently, or do you need to repeat the process every time you turn it off and go to restart it. If the former, then you have to go through all the steps to undo the process. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-seen-on-tv-secret-hidey-hole-compartments-in-cars/968048.md?page=4)