How to Use Heated Rearview Mirrors?
2 Answers
There are generally two ways to activate the heated rearview 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. Typically, rotary knob activation is more common in German cars, while button activation is more prevalent in Japanese and American cars. When driving in rain, snow, or fog, the rearview mirrors can become blurred due to moisture or frost. In such conditions, turning on the heated mirror function will clear the rain or fog from the mirrors within a few minutes.
I remember being quite clueless the first time I encountered foggy side mirrors, but later learned some tips from driver chat groups. The heated mirror button in cars is mostly located on the driver's door armrest, marked with a rectangle and three wavy lines. On rainy days or when there's winter frost, just press it directly—no need to wait for the engine coolant to warm up. It takes about three to four minutes to take effect, with water droplets gradually disappearing from the mirror surface, restoring clear visibility. However, note that efficiency slows down in extremely low temperatures. When it's below minus ten degrees Celsius, I usually scrape off surface ice with a bank card first before turning on the heating. Now in hot weather, it's better not to use it—it wastes electricity without much effect. The most practical approach is to turn it on casually before driving in the rain, which significantly improves safety.
