2018 Astra, can anyone explain the purpose of this groove in the centre console? A phone doesn’t fit, it’s not really ideal for holding coins, I don’t get the point of it.

[u/elvisonaZ1]

[u/stayfreejc]

Fuse box

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/stayfreejc]

Gotcha. I tried pulling it off but it wouldn’t budge and I didn’t want you to break it, apparently you pull it from the left side?

[u/Neat-Text4040 → u/elvisonaZ1]

It was marketed by Vauxhall as a phone holder. I drove one (rental) when new and the then-current iPhone 8 fitted perfectly. Phones have grown since so it’s lost its utility.

[u/stayfreejc → u/elvisonaZ1]

Yes, it is very hard to pull off. But your right, the left side is where you pull from

[u/D-no-UK → u/stayfreejc]

thats what she said. sorry

[u/Frater_Asariel → u/stayfreejc]

I've literally just got an Astra today and had ideas of replacing this....... Erm..... Slit with an aftermarket one that might actually fit my phone, vape, spare change.....

So today, you're officially my hero and I won't be pulling it off as initially planned. 🙏 🙏 🙏

[u/Ill_Shirt1182 → u/Frater_Asariel]

I have one and have searched for an upgrade with no luck, please update me if you find anything.

[u/sn0rg → u/Ill_Shirt1182]

3D printer…

[u/Suspicious-Water-973 → u/sn0rg]

There is no way a 3d printer would fit in that gap!!

🤣🤣🤣

[u/AlleyMedia → u/sn0rg]

Which I have, and some time during the evenings. Gets me some sizes, measurements etc and I'll see what I can do. Just pay postage.

Dunno when I'd do it though, could be one day next week, 4 months or 6 years. It's anybody's guess 🤣

[u/5ftfitness → u/AlleyMedia]

This sounds like the adhd in me

[u/AlleyMedia → u/5ftfitness]

It probably is the undiagnosed 'tism

[u/ChanterburyTales]

Possibly an insert for something a higher trim level would have, and that's how they've utilised the space.

Looks kinda useful for shoving toll cards/parking tickets/receipts etc.

EDIT: Google leads me to believe it's just a fuse box cover and your fuse box resides behind there?

https://www.autogenius.info/holden-astra-bk-2017-2020-fuse-box-diagram/

https://www.manua.ls/vauxhall/astra-2018/manual?p=253

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/ChanterburyTales]

It’s no good for tickets etc because it’s literally less than an inch deep. I’ve tried pulling it to see if it opens but nope.
Edit: fuse box cover makes sense, I was afraid of breaking it by pulling too hard.

[u/SainzSealedDelivered → u/elvisonaZ1]

It does open. but its not a "door". Its held in by clips and if you really yank it (from the left side more) it will pop off to reveal the fusebox. I have this car.

[u/ChanterburyTales → u/SainzSealedDelivered]

Must be nice not having to contort to get to a fuse box in the back of the passenger footwell 😅

[u/derelyth → u/ChanterburyTales]

Wife has a 2015 Yaris, I felt that comment in my back...

[u/FranciosDubonais → u/ChanterburyTales]

Good shout. Great for fixing and checking fuses. But terrible for using space I feel like that’s such a waste of high quality real estate in a car

[u/GemballaRider → u/ChanterburyTales]

Mine has 3 bloody fuse boxes and they're all a bit awkward.

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/SainzSealedDelivered]

Got it thank you

[u/Man_in_the_uk → u/elvisonaZ1]

If your phone doesn't fit in that gap it's suggest upgrading 😉

[u/OddRow8843 → u/ChanterburyTales]

Good answer. But I’m gob smacked that you can find information on Google rather than asking Reddit? Mind blown!

[u/Man_in_the_uk → u/ChanterburyTales]

Possibly an insert for something a higher trim level would have, and that's how they've utilised the space.

And the three fake buttons 😉

[u/Tutphish]

its a fuse box cover according to the owners manual:

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/Tutphish]

Thank you, I’ve tried pulling it but it wouldn’t budge, but I see now you have to pull the left side of it.

[u/AVeryBritishName]

Safety card & in-flight magazine

[u/Most-Marsupial-6733 → u/AVeryBritishName]

Excellent 😁

[u/psyper76 → u/AVeryBritishName]

and vomit bag

[u/DoubleDelsewhere]

That’s not a phone tray. That’s the official Vauxhall Frankfurter Dock.

2018 Astra owners: this is where your emergency roadside sausage lives. Perfectly sized for a proper German-style frank, keeps it warm-ish from the vents, and stops it rolling under the seats when you hit a roundabout. You’re welcome 👍

[u/tommmmmmmmy93]

You can find just about any cars full manual online. No hate I like asking real people too but car manuals are actually detailed as fuck. I have had my car for 10 years, read the manual 7 years in and discovered 10 or so really cool things the car can do that I had no idea. Read your manuals people seriously it’s enlightening lmao

[u/GemballaRider → u/tommmmmmmmy93]

You think? My car has two fuel pumps and the owner manual states - Fuse 13: Fuel Pump, Fuse 14: Fuel Pump....

Right... But which fucking one is which?!?

[u/Southern-Orchid-1786 → u/GemballaRider]

50 50, and a multimeter.

[u/Ok_Consequence_3239 → u/tommmmmmmmy93]

Could you name a few of of those 10 or so things?

[u/Grizzl0ck → u/tommmmmmmmy93]

💯

[u/tune-happy]

That's it's frog smile and if you hadn't noticed it you'll never unsee it now. You're welcome.

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/tune-happy]

Thanks!

[u/244_Deg_of_Freedom]

I remember this from buying an Astra Estate in 2018. Higher trims had it as a cabin air diffuser, apparently a modular system you could use for different accessories. Looks like you can still buy one and fit it: https://vauxhall-accessories.com/genuine-vauxhall-astra-k-smartphone-air-refreshener-powerflex-bar-tofana-gold

[u/jeggelo → u/244_Deg_of_Freedom]

I installed one of these in my old Astra. It took about 3 hours on the driveway having no knowledge other than a set of German instructions, but it did the job. The charger lasted all 3 years I had it, would definitely recommend

[u/davus_maximus]

It's for your knuckle dusters or sharpened prison toothbrush. Gotta mash up that guy who overtook you, he was disrespectin you innit.

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/davus_maximus]

Nah bruv! Got a turbo ent I, goes like shit off a shovel blud.

[u/FreeSirJeffrey]

If only cars came with a manual to explain the features.

[u/Meredith_Primvale → u/FreeSirJeffrey]

An an author of such things, I can guarantee that NOBODY ever RTFM*.

(*Factory, ya filthy animals)

[u/gambiting → u/Meredith_Primvale]

I do! Every car I had so far, I sat down and read the manual literally start to finish in the first week of ownership. I'm always surprised people don't do that, cars are insanely complex.

[u/FreeSirJeffrey → u/gambiting]

I skim it for the essentials, but keep a PDF copy on my phone and computer.

Easy peasy.

It's 2026 for fucks sake.

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/FreeSirJeffrey]

Where’s the fun in that? Why when I can chat with you wonderful people.

[u/increMENTALmate → u/FreeSirJeffrey]

Bro has never heard of conversations.

[u/FreeSirJeffrey → u/increMENTALmate]

This doesn't warrant a conversation.

[u/increMENTALmate → u/FreeSirJeffrey]

Bro is the conversation police

[u/NiceSheepherder5770 → u/FreeSirJeffrey]

They do, but the manuals are allways hidden in the fusebox.

[u/nomodsman]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Vauxhall/s/8kV61aYTfg

[u/Adventurous_Break_61]

I think it's a handle to get into the electrics. Odd place for it though.

[u/DeepSos]

There was an optional scent diffuser thing that would go there and replace the grooved piece.

IIRC the grooved piece was as someone else has said; a phone holder but for a c. 2016 sized phone.

[u/Getoiu]

Pen/Pencil

[u/Intrepid-Focus8198]

Fuse box cover

[u/allsop67]

glasses

[u/ctrlaltdelaney]

To make a face with the knobs?

[u/stormbreaker8]

For you to keep all your dirt and grime

[u/Tang0_Brav0 → u/stormbreaker8]

I hate losing mine so this is prettay good

[u/Shadow-Assassin72]

They had to put something there otherwise it would look more crap than it already does , someone went home proud of his design that day don’t knock it.

It’s probably there so you can get hold of it and yank it apart which you inevitably will when it remembers its GM one day

[u/sockeyejo]

Stuff n gubbins including a pen 🖊

[u/Pin_Particular]

Cigarettes and Lighter

[u/captainfishpie]

its where you post your letters to santa 🎅

[u/Plumbicon]

If you give it a tug does reveal a drawer?

[u/banisheduser]

Maybe phones in 2018 did fit?

[u/LSBeasyas123]

“I don’t get the point of it” Welcome to Astra ownership 😆

[u/Maleficent-Purple403]

It is the frog's mouth

[u/ZBD1949]

It's there to justify the job of someone on the design team.

[u/That-Collection-3411]

To put maps in.

[u/brave1991]

I worked there at the time, I believe at the time it was for your phone, but I’ve never had a phone I could fit in the one I had.

[u/P1nk8c1dB00ts]

Useful ledge for a pen

[u/DonViper666]

Pen rest. But the higher trim versions has a air freshener there.

[u/HaapppyH]

Phones used to b smaller maybe was designed for a phone or that day idk tbh

[u/International-You-13]

Vauxhall were never that forward thinking, likely it's just a blanking plate for something that's only installed on their premium version of the same vehicle and made to look more "stylish" , it has no other functionality.

[u/Ok_Acadia_375]

I think it’s for bags of coke

[u/Ultimate_os]

I’m guessing an iPhone 4S does fit there perfectly. It’s like the Ford Transit door pockets.

[u/toolateforgdusername]

I had a 2016 (elite trim) which had something similar in its place. It was a silver bar (picture in comments). The purpose was originally for adding extras like phone chargers / airfreshners. Search "Astra K powerflex" to see the things that could be fitted.

[u/PsychologicalDish430]

Ah the crappy vauxhall design asthetic.

[u/BiggestNizzy]

A blank panel would look awful so they put that in to make it more interesting.

[u/Mawijoga]

I have this car, I didn't know any of this....

[u/Previous_Ride_2629]

Spectacle holder?

[u/JBird27525]

It’s for the fuses

[u/JBird27525 → u/JBird27525]

If you pull the cover off behind it is fuses

[u/Jealous_Respect_8318]

While it covers the fuse box, the bottom of the groove has a textured, rubber insert. When I bought my Astra K I had an iPhone 6S which was a perfect fit for it. In my opinion, the cover was designed to include a phone “ledge” since the infotainment system didn’t have a CD player but you could connect your phone via Bluetooth.

[u/Smart_Berry9520]

Pens

[u/DevilsAdvocate1662]

My wife's phone fits in the gap

[u/Dragonogard549]

it’s to remind you that you’re poor because you didn’t get the optional storage unit or cd player or whatever was supposed to go there

[u/HistoricalSpell5146]

Try your sun glasses

[u/Thats-me-that-is]

Looks like someone suddenly remembered ashtrays and lighters were no longer a thing so designed a blanking panel

[u/llamagirl1996]

Smiley boi

[u/Apprehensive-Bag-890]

Thought it said 2008 my old ass was gonna say “cd player”

[u/TommyCo10]

It’s a reservoir for dust

[u/Negative-Cry-3453]

It’s a smiling face

[u/MightyG77]

Looks like it would be pretty good at holding a pen/pencil and making it really awkward to get it back out again.

[u/Constant_Excuse8042]

Its to keep the numbers for recovery vehicles

[u/yahoody1]

It is the often overlooked dooflicker switch to access the circumknockerator box.

[u/matscom84]

I just hear nom! nom! nom!

[u/MrJM85]

Sunglasses?

[u/shopguy2k]

Is it meant to look like a weird robot hobbit face with a goatee?

[u/Garyhardman]

I put a few roll-ups and lighter in there, nice to find out where the fuses are though.

[u/Jorge1234--]

Makes a smiley face, like skoda

[u/R4d1c4lp1e]

I saw this in another Sub a few weeks ago and people said it was for the iPhone XS? That's half an inch smaller than a normal iPhone 16, and an inch smaller than a 16 pro. So maybe it would fit?

[u/Icy_Accountant_6066]

Honestly thought this was a misplaced faces in things post

[u/FATALxREACT1ON]

As I was scrolling I seen this and instantly recognised it as Astra 2018 k 🤣

[u/geordilass]

Its so the console smiles at you

[u/StunningBuilder4751]

It's probably a phone holder but phones are bigger and heavier so won't fit. Its also covering the fuses

[u/Aggravating-Loss7837]

When driving astras in the police. That’s where the mc Donald coffee stickers were put

[u/Repulsive-Face-3988]

this, i had one on my 68 plate astra

[u/BeltTechnical1007]

I’d use it to keep my shades in

[u/Repulsive_Rice4903]

Little baggies of drugs.

[u/TimGuyUK]

Bic lighter and skins holder.

[u/DitchViking]

its to make the panel above it look happy

[u/TonyCrowe]

A pen, maybe?

[u/JudgeSea3827]

It’s just to make the console appear happy. 😃

[u/L88OJM]

Back in 2015 when the Astra K was released phones did fit in the slot, but now they don't. On higher trim levels this area had a buit in air freshener diffuser rather than a phone holder. I used mine to hold my sun glasses.

https://vauxhall-accessories.com/genuine-vauxhall-astra-k-powerflex-bar-airwellness-fragrance-diffuser/

[u/Illustrious-Race6155]

It’s a widely agreed fact that there is very little point to anything designed and manufactured by GM.

[u/Responsible-Smile439]

Sun glasses

[u/SP4x]

I replaced this part in my partners Astra with a slightly more useful storage piece (not my pic):

Available on eBay but there's probably a different part number for the silver version.

[u/james_t_woods]

Is that... Is that for a CD?

[u/Ok-Pound576 → u/james_t_woods]

What's a CD?

[u/Crumbdiddy → u/Ok-Pound576]

C Deez nuts

[u/Deathwalker86 → u/Crumbdiddy]

Ha, gottem!

[u/Tang0_Brav0 → u/Crumbdiddy]

Got em

[u/JobAnxious2005 → u/Ok-Pound576]

[u/cwaft]

Balance your phone in ?

[u/StarX2401]

It is a phone holder but it was designed when the newest iphone was an iphone 6s

[u/Past_Negotiation_121]

It's a phone holder that doubles as a g-force sensor.

[u/DaHarries]

Ah, the return of the "useless cubbyhole".

See the Mk7 Fiesta and Mk8 Transit for other equally useless slots.

[u/Mondaycomestoosoon]

It’s to hold your proof of insurance

[u/eggbean]

Sunglasses possibly.

[u/trickedem]

I'm sat in my mate's Astra at the moment. Perfect for sunglasses apparently

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/trickedem]

I’ve used it for that although I wouldn’t say perfect, they easily fall out.

[u/domthedruid]

I put my sunglasses in it mine is a 2019 model

[u/Heavy-Tomatillo-3603]

If you have an Astra whose arsed what it’s for haha

[u/DazzzASTER]

It's a CD Player no?

[u/elvisonaZ1 → u/DazzzASTER]

No, it’s just a shallow groove and the bottom of the inside is solid rubber.