How to Install the Interior Rearview Mirror in a Car?

[MacOlive]

During installation, simply align it and then rotate it 90 degrees clockwise. Be mindful of the force applied during both removal and installation to avoid damaging the front windshield. Relevant details are as follows: 1. Observe the rearview mirror: It is essential to develop the habit of checking the interior rearview mirror, as it can be life-saving in critical moments. For instance, when changing lanes, many drivers only check the side mirrors, but observing the interior rearview mirror can help determine the distance from the following vehicle, especially when driving on highways. 2. Distance: As for how to judge the distance from the following vehicle using the interior rearview mirror, here's a method you can refer to. When the front wheels of the following vehicle are just visible in the rearview mirror, the distance between the vehicles is approximately 13 meters; when the grille is visible, it's about 6 meters; and when the upper edge of the rear bumper of the following vehicle is visible, it's roughly 1 meter.

[VanGriffin]

Last year, I installed a streaming media rearview mirror myself and found that the key is to consider the car model. Most vehicles use a clip-on installation method: first, push the old mirror firmly upward until it reaches the end, and you'll hear a 'click' sound when it releases. The base of the new mirror has a metal clip slot; align it with the base in the black dot area on the windshield and press to secure it. Remember to remove the protective film on the mirror surface! After installation, firmly pull it downward to adjust the angle, ensuring a complete view of the rear window. For modifying to a streaming media setup, you need to route hidden wires. I tucked the wires along the roof seam to the fuse box for power connection. The most challenging part was running the wires through the trunk license plate light for the rear camera, and finally securing it with 3M adhesive tape.

[VanBryce]

Having worked in automotive decoration for over a decade, rearview mirror installation actually falls into three scenarios. The most common is universal clip-on type—when removing old mirrors, use duckbill pliers to grip the metal stem and rotate counterclockwise by 90 degrees. For American cars like Ford and Buick, be cautious as their base pivots are brittle; excessive force may snap them. Adhesive-mounted bases are now rare—first clean the glass with alcohol, heat the base's rubber pad, then press firmly for 30 seconds. For premium cars with electrochromic mirrors, wiring requires special attention: red wire to ACC power, black wire to ground, yellow wire to reverse signal. Post-installation road testing is mandatory for anti-glare function—the lens should turn dark blue when trailing vehicles use high beams at night to confirm success.

[VonCollin]

Last week, I installed a new rearview mirror with a dash cam and found that no tools were needed at all! For Hyundai and Kia vehicles, you can simply grip the mirror support and twist it counterclockwise by 45 degrees to remove it. The new mirror was connected to a voltage reducer as per the instructions, and I powered it from the reading light, which was more convenient than routing through the A-pillar. Key reminder: After installation, sit in the driver’s seat to test it—ensure the lower edge of the mirror doesn’t obstruct your view when looking straight ahead, and adjust the height so you can see the entire rear window. Also, avoid placing the rear camera on the rear windshield defroster lines!

[MacRosalie]

Attention to friends who are into classic car modifications: The rearview mirror bases of 1990s models are screw-mounted. Remove the interior headliner to locate three cross-head screws, and use a magnetic screwdriver to prevent dropping them. Before installing the new mirror, treat any rust spots on the windshield—I applied anti-rust primer. For classic cars with curved windshields, use a heat gun to soften the base rubber pad before pressing it into place. After installation, remember to test stability—the mirror shouldn’t shake on bumpy roads to pass the test. Avoid randomly upgrading to electronic mirrors on antique cars, as they might fail the annual inspection!