Heating and air conditioning controls, usually three large rotary dials, are also relatively consistent today. But there was a period in the 70's and 80's when there were a lot of 'sliders' especially in Japanese cars. Headlight and wiper switches, however, are often in different locations. Some high beams are activated by pushing forward on the stalk and some by pulling back. Fog lights are usually separate buttons at different locations on the dashboard.
Windshield wipers are usually the most confusing for first-time users.
They can be on the left or right stalk, and can be activated by turning the stalk or pulling it up or down. To add confusion, some cars have variable intermittent wipers that are activated by twisting the end of the stalk or sometimes by pulling up or down on the stalk. In addition, front wiper controls are often integrated with rear wiper controls and front and rear washers. Finding the right function is often a matter of trial and error. The interior of the European-designed Ford Focus has a round headlight switch on the dash to the left of the steering wheel, wipers on the stalk, large, rotary heater controls underneath the radio controls, a trunk release on the dash, a handbrake between the seats, and exposed cupholders on the floor console.