What is the reason for the loose rearview mirror cover that won't stay in place?
3 Answers
The rearview mirror cover falling off and not staying firmly in place is due to damaged clips. Below are detailed instructions for adjusting the rearview mirrors: 1. Adjusting the rearview mirror button: It can be adjusted using the electric buttons inside the car, which are designed on the left side of the steering wheel, allowing adjustment of both left and right rearview mirrors. 2. Adjusting the center rearview mirror: Adjust the left and right positions so that the left edge of the mirror just cuts to the right ear of the image in the mirror, while the up and down positions place the distant horizon in the center of the mirror. The key to adjusting the center rearview mirror is to place the horizon in the middle and the ear on the left. Position the distant horizon horizontally along the center line of the central rearview mirror, then move left or right to place the image of the right ear just at the left edge of the mirror. 3. Adjusting the left rearview mirror: For the up and down positions, place the distant horizon in the center, and for the left and right positions, adjust so that the car body occupies 1/4 of the mirror's area. The key to adjusting the left rearview mirror is to place the horizon at the center line of the mirror and adjust the car's edge to occupy 1/4 of the mirror's image. 4. Adjusting the right rearview mirror: Since the driver's seat is on the left, when adjusting the up and down positions of the right rearview mirror, a larger area of the ground should be visible, occupying about 2/3 of the mirror. As for the left and right positions, adjust so that the car body occupies 1/4 of the mirror's area. The key to adjusting the right rearview mirror is to place the horizon at the 2/3 position of the mirror and adjust the car's edge to occupy 1/4 of the mirror's image.
I've encountered the issue of the rearview mirror cover not fitting tightly. The main reason is that the plastic clips on the back of the cover have aged or broken. The rearview mirror is exposed to wind and sun every day, making plastic parts prone to becoming brittle and deformed, especially noticeable in low winter temperatures. If the cover has been knocked off before, the retaining tabs inside may have snapped. Another easily overlooked issue is the alignment posts on the mounting base—if they're bent or covered in dust and grease, the cover won't stay secure. Fixing it isn't too complicated. First, remove the cover to check the clip condition. If it's just dirty, clean the base with alcohol wipes. If the clips are broken, you'll need a new cover, which can be bought for a few dozen yuan on Taobao. Make sure you hear a click when installing to confirm it's properly secured.
After the side mirror was scraped off last time, the housing just wouldn't stay securely in place anymore - turns out there's quite a bit of technicality involved. The core issue lies in the failure of the plastic clip mechanism: either the locking tabs are worn/deformed or the roots have fractured, as these thin plastic components can't withstand repeated disassembly. During a car wash, I noticed water seeping through gaps and corroding the clips, while prolonged moisture exposure also causes plastic expansion. Another possibility is deformation of the alignment holes on the base, likely due to minor internal bracket displacement from the impact. Before attempting repairs, check if the mirror rotates smoothly - any resistance indicates more severe internal structural deformation. If all else fails, simply replace the entire assembly; aftermarket parts cost around 200 yuan, but pay special attention to wiring for models with heating elements to avoid connection errors.
