How to fold the rearview mirror of Audi A3?

[SanValeria]

Audi A3 rearview mirror folding control switch is located on the left side of the driver's door, near the window lift buttons. Rotate the switch inward to fold the mirrors. Before adjusting the rearview mirrors, it is necessary to properly adjust the vehicle seat and steering wheel position. The basic principle of seat adjustment is to sit comfortably, have clear visibility, and ensure the steering wheel is easy to use. Maintaining the correct sitting posture is a prerequisite for adjusting the rearview mirrors. If the sitting posture is incorrect, the adjusted rearview mirrors cannot function as intended. The Audi A3 is a sedan produced by Audi, developed based on the Volkswagen MQB platform. The body features lightweight design and aluminum materials, and is powered by various engines including 1.4TFSI and 1.8TFSI.

[VanOscar]

The folding feature on my Audi A3's side mirrors is quite convenient, available in both manual and electric versions. For older models without the electric function, you simply push the mirror all the way toward the car door by hand until you hear a click. The newer models with electric folding make it even easier—just locate the mirror adjustment knob on the driver’s door armrest, usually a round button with a small mirror icon in the center. Turn it to the bottom position with the folding symbol, and both mirrors will automatically retract. This feature is especially handy when parking in tight spaces to avoid scratches. You can also set it to auto-fold via the central control system, so the mirrors automatically fold when locking the car for added convenience. Before operating, it’s recommended to clean any dirt off the mirror surface. If they haven’t been folded for a while, give them a little movement to prevent stiffness.

[McEmersyn]

The operation of folding the Audi A3 side mirrors depends on the specific configuration. For models without power folding, you need to manually push the entire mirror housing towards the door until it is completely flush against the window. Models equipped with power folding are much more convenient: simply rotate the mirror adjustment knob on the driver's door clockwise to the position marked with the folding symbol, and the mirrors will retract automatically. Higher trim levels also offer an auto-folding feature when locking the car, which can be enabled by selecting the relevant option in the vehicle settings menu via the MMI system. After folding, there is approximately a 2 cm gap between the mirror and the car body, a well-thought-out design to prevent paint scratches. In winter, avoid forcing the mirrors if they are frozen—wait until the ice melts before operating.

[HadleyDella]

Having driven the Audi A3 for so many years, I'm most familiar with folding the mirrors. For the electric version, simply locate the round mirror adjustment knob on the driver's side door panel and turn it all the way in the direction of the arrow icon. If it's the base manual version, you'll need to apply a bit of force to push the entire mirror housing firmly toward the window. Once when a friend borrowed the car, I specifically taught them: when the mirrors are folded, the field of vision becomes smaller, so remember to return them to their original position before reversing. I recommend folding them during each car wash to clean the mirror base corners, as leaving them unfolded for long periods may allow dust to accumulate and affect the motor. The newer models now come with anti-pinch protection, where the mirrors will automatically rebound if they encounter resistance during folding, making it very safe.

[SanBennett]

Folding the Audi A3 side mirrors depends on the model generation. For pre-2015 models, most require manual operation—simply push the mirror housing toward the car door. Later facelifted versions typically feature power folding: rotate the mirror control knob on the driver's door panel to the 6 o'clock position. Higher trims can enable automatic folding upon locking via the MMI system's vehicle settings (activate the mirror folding option). This feature proves especially useful in multi-story parking garages to prevent mirror damage. Folded mirrors retain defrost functionality but may partially obstruct visibility in rain. Periodically folding them during long-term parking prevents pivot rust or jamming.

[LaDavid]

I helped a friend with the Audi A3 mirror folding issue. For the base model, you need to manually push the mirror housing with your entire palm, not just the mirror glass. For the electric version, the control is located on the inner armrest of the left front door: find the rotary switch with the mirror symbol and turn it clockwise to the folding position at about 30 degrees. The auto-folding upon locking feature can be set in the third-generation MMI: first enter the vehicle menu, select central locking settings, and check the 'fold mirrors' option. An important tip is to ensure the mirror surface is clean and unobstructed before folding, especially clearing snow and ice in winter. A confirmation sound will indicate successful folding, and if any unusual noise is heard, stop immediately.