The Secret of U-Haul’s Forgotten Button: A Relic of Old Tech!
September 17, 2024
Source: Parts Overstock
The round object with two holes above the driver’s seat in your U-Haul is a Light Neutral Mobile Telephone Microphone Bezel, commonly found in older vehicle models. This device is part of the communication system used for hands-free mobile calling. The two small holes serve as microphones that pick up the driver’s voice, which is then transmitted to the vehicle’s onboard telephone system, allowing for safe, hands-free communication while driving.
These bezels were often part of vehicle telematics systems in the late 1990s to early 2000s, before Bluetooth and smartphone integration became widespread. Originally, they were designed to connect with early in-car mobile phone systems, a popular feature in high-end vehicles and commercial trucks before wireless systems became more user-friendly.
Although newer vehicles now come with more advanced Bluetooth capabilities, the Light Neutral Microphone Bezel is a reminder of the first steps toward safer, hands-free driving technology. As older U-Haul trucks remain in use, you can still find these bezels functioning in vehicles, though their usage has greatly diminished with the rise of modern wireless communication systems.