Instead of a simple, familiar mechanical latch, it’s now common for a car’s exterior door handles to remain flush against the door until the car is unlocked, requiring an electric motor to open.

From Prius drivers to Jeeps drivers, a lot of people seem to be a bit lost about the button found on the two front door handles. But to put it simply, it's part of the Keyless Entry System.

Many newer cars have replaced the tried-and-true door handle with complex electronic versions. Here’s how to operate their manual releases in an emergency. Using the electronic door handle in a ...