If you're wondering what a column switch is, fear not. You need look no further than the driver's seat of your car to find examples. Column switches are the rods that protrude from behind your steering wheel. These rods are, as whole units, called column switches. The actual switches, however, are the parts that you turn with your fingers to control different accessories in the car. You know, the ones that your friends mess with when you're not looking so that the windshield wipers turn on when you start the car. Some people call this sort of behavior "fun". Column switches commonly control windshield wipers, headlights, cruise control systems, and a variety of other accessories, depending on the vehicle. Steering wheel mounted automatic transmission selectors are also considered column switches. After all, they "switch" gears. These also usually include part of the mechanism that indicates the current gear that your vehicle is in.