What to Do When the Rearview Mirror is Unclear on Rainy Days?
4 Answers
Solutions for unclear rearview mirrors on rainy days are as follows: Use Soapy Water: Apply soap on the rearview mirror. When rainwater hits the mirror, the water droplets will slide off on their own. Therefore, drivers no longer need to worry about the rearview mirror being unclear due to water. Install Rain Guards: On rainy days, cars equipped with rain guards do not have to worry about the rearview mirror being unclear due to water droplets obstructing the view of the road behind. Apply Waterproof Stickers: Applying a waterproof film to the rearview mirror can solve the problem of unclear rearview mirrors on rainy days. Additionally, the waterproof film can be used continuously and is very affordable.
I've got plenty of experience with blurry rearview mirrors on rainy days. Back when I drove an old car, heavy rain would leave me completely helpless. Now I've figured out a few practical tricks: rub a bar of soap in circles on the mirror surface, let it dry, then wipe it off with a dry cloth to create a hydrophobic layer. I always keep half a bottle of diluted dish soap in the car - spraying some on and wiping it when the rain gets heavy gives about 30 minutes of clarity. The heated mirror function is an absolute game-changer; I specifically chose a car with this feature when buying. Once activated, water droplets roll right off. As a last resort, you can crack the window open slightly and quickly wipe the mirror with your hand, but remember to slow down first for safety. I've tested all these methods, and the most crucial thing is still to drive slower in the rain and leave enough reaction distance.
I've modified my car's rearview mirror with a rain-resistant film, a transparent sticker film bought on Taobao for just a few dozen yuan, which can be easily applied by yourself. This film works similarly to the lotus leaf effect, causing rainwater to slide off immediately without sticking, and it lasts much longer than rain repellent sprays. I've also used rain repellent sprays before, where one application lasts about two weeks, but you have to be careful not to spray it on the car paint. Once during a heavy rainstorm, I discovered that turning on both the rearview mirror heating and the window defogger simultaneously doubles the effectiveness, possibly by reducing the humidity inside the car. Here's a lesser-known tip: slightly adjusting the rearview mirror angle downward reduces the surface area where rainwater can accumulate. These methods are all low-cost but can significantly improve driving safety in rainy conditions. I highly recommend giving them a try.
Many new cars now come equipped with streaming media rearview mirrors, which offer significant advantages in rainy weather. I've test-driven vehicles with electronic mirrors where the cameras feature hydrophobic coatings, maintaining clear images even during heavy rain. For older cars, adding small convex mirrors can reduce blind spots and prevent fogging. Don't forget to activate the rear window defogger button, as it works better when combined with the air conditioning's dehumidification function. When parking, folding the mirrors and then unfolding them can shake off accumulated water. It's crucial to note that the mirror heating function needs to be activated 5 minutes in advance to be effective. Combining these methods can essentially solve visibility issues during rainy conditions.
