Have you ever wondered what the small metal hook on your car door is actually for? Most people believe it is only there to secure the door when you close it, but this inconspicuous component has a variety of applications that can make your life easier and improve the security of your vehicle.

If you’ve ever tried to put a load onto your car’s roof or struggled to reach something on top of the vehicle, the hook could be a valuable aid in fixing these issues. Below, I’ll show you three unexpected uses for this handy hook that you may not have realized.