
The Equinox LTZ version is equipped with heated mirrors. The heated mirror function in the Equinox LTZ version does not have a separate switch. To activate the heated mirrors, you need to turn on the rear window defroster. The switch button for the rear window defroster is located at the bottom left of the air conditioning knob on the passenger side. Pressing this button will illuminate the indicator light, indicating that the rear window defroster is on, and the heated mirrors will automatically activate. Heated mirrors are particularly useful during rainy or snowy weather. When activated, the heater behind the mirror quickly warms the surface, gradually removing rainwater or fog, eliminating the need for frequent manual wiping by the driver and thus reducing driving hazards. How to use the heated mirror function: There are generally two ways to activate the heated mirror function. One is combined with the electric mirror adjustment knob—simply rotate the knob to turn it on. The other is located on the air conditioning control panel—press the heating button to activate it. No manual angle adjustment is needed, as there is an adjustment button on the driver's side. Principle of the heated mirror function: After pressing the button, the electric heater behind the mirror glass rapidly heats up to a fixed temperature within minutes, typically between 35-60 degrees Celsius. Heat will radiate from both left and right mirrors. Meanwhile, as the temperature rises and evaporates, water droplets on the mirror surface become smaller, and fog gradually dissipates, effectively defrosting and de-fogging the mirror. However, if the rain is particularly heavy, the effect may diminish and become less noticeable. Precautions for using the heated mirror function: The principle of heated mirrors involves adding electric heating wires to the mirrors, which consume a significant amount of power. When using the heated mirror function, ensure the car is in an active state. Avoid activating the heated mirrors while the car is stationary to prevent draining the battery and leaving insufficient power to start the car. Other methods for defogging mirrors include: Opening windows for air circulation: Crack open both side windows slightly to allow air flow between the inside and outside of the car, reducing the temperature difference and gradually eliminating fog. Adjusting the car's air conditioning to the appropriate setting can also help by blowing warm air to remove fog.

I've been driving the Equinox LT Cloth for over two years, and it does come with the rearview mirror heating feature. It's particularly useful during rainy or foggy conditions - just press the defogger button on the center console (the one with the wavy square icon), and within minutes the water droplets on the mirror surface evaporate. This button works in conjunction with the rear windshield defogger, making operation very intuitive. As a mid-range trim, the LT Cloth version offers generous equipment, with heated mirrors coming as standard. It also quickly melts frost during winter, eliminating the need to step out and wipe the mirrors manually. I'd recommend drying the mirror surface after car washes before activating the heating function to prevent thermal shock from affecting its lifespan. This feature significantly enhances driving safety, especially for maintaining clear visibility during nighttime highway driving.

The Equinox LT comes with heated side mirrors, which can be confirmed by checking the official configuration sheet. The function button is located in the air control area, and pressing it to light up the indicator means it's working. Practical tests show it's particularly effective on rainy days, preventing water droplets from accumulating on the mirrors and obstructing the view. As a mid-range version of the Equinox, it includes this practical feature over the base model. Just be mindful not to exceed a 20-degree temperature difference on the glass when operating to avoid cracking. This feature is frequently used in the humid southern spring or snowy northern winters to avoid frequently opening windows to wipe the mirrors, thereby reducing blind spot safety hazards.

The Equinox LT comes with heated side mirrors, which is beyond doubt. During my test drive, I specifically checked this feature. After pressing the rear defogger button on the climate control panel, the mirror temperature rose noticeably and fog dissipated quickly. As a mid-trim model, it comes standard with this function, making it more practical than the base L version. The operation is so simple that it can be done with one hand – just press the button at a red light. It significantly improves visibility during rain or snow, especially suitable for mountain roads or highway driving.


