This exposes an issue with new cars: They’re more confusing than ever. Gone are the days when manufacturers had mostly standardized systems. That’s fine when you own a car and understand it, but in the rental market, it can be infuriating. I’m a longtime automotive journalist and TV commentator, and often I can’t figure out how to drive the thing. Because of computerization, in many cars the gearshift levers have been replaced by push buttons and hockey puck–looking dials. In a recent adventure in a Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid, I couldn’t easily park. The round device had three letters next to it: D, R and N. But where was P? Turns out that was in the center of the puck.

And then there’s the touch screen. You may find that adjusting the temperature, or even changing the radio station, requires finding the right on-screen menu, as knobs, switches and dials are gradually getting phased out.

Of course, you can seek answers in the owner’s manual, but that can require looking through hundreds of pages.

But before you panic, there is help. I recently had a problem pairing my phone with a car’s infotainment system, and a rental-car representative provided aid with a smile. But be aware that help may depend on how busy the place is. Another option is to request a car that’s the same model, or at least make, as the one you have at home. No guarantees that you’ll get that, though.

And when all else fails, there’s always YouTube. —Rick DeBruhl