Not every slot between cup holders is officially designed as a grocery-bag holder. Center-console designs vary enormously between manufacturers and models, and some openings may instead be dividers, storage features, accessory mounts, or simply part of the cup-holder design.

However, when the shape allows it safely, drivers sometimes use these openings to help organize lightweight bags. A shopping-bag handle can be positioned through a suitable notch so the bag is less likely to slide or tip while the vehicle is moving.

The same idea may work for certain lightweight takeout or reusable bags, but avoid attaching anything heavy that could damage the console. Purses and other objects should also be secured so they cannot interfere with the gear selector, parking brake, pedals, or other vehicle controls.

So the viral “secret feature” has some practical truth behind it, but it shouldn’t be treated as universal. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual before assuming the slot was specifically engineered as a bag holder. Sometimes clever automotive features really are hiding in plain sight—but sometimes drivers simply discover a useful secondary purpose that the manufacturer never intended.