Where is the heating switch for the Kia K3 rearview mirror?
4 Answers
Some models of the Kia K3 are equipped with an exterior rearview mirror heating function. The switch is located on the air conditioning control panel in the center console and is the same switch used for the rear window defroster. Here is some related information about the rearview mirror heating function: 1. The rearview mirror heating function refers to the ability of the exterior rearview mirrors to be heated via electric heating wires embedded behind the mirror glass, ensuring clear visibility during rainy, snowy, or foggy weather. 2. The working principle of electrically heated rearview mirrors is very simple and not very costly. It involves installing an electric heating element (heating film) inside the mirror glass of both side rearview mirrors. During rain or snow, when the driver activates the rearview mirror heating function, the heating element quickly warms up to a set temperature (usually between 35-60 degrees Celsius) within a few minutes. This helps defog and defrost the mirrors, providing great convenience for the driver.
Last time I drove my friend's Kia K3 in the rain, it took me a while to realize that the rearview mirror heating shares the same button with the rear window defogger! It's located among the row of buttons on the center console's AC panel, marked with a rectangular symbol featuring wavy arrows. This space-saving design is clever, though admittedly confusing for first-time users. Remember that it takes about 10 minutes for the water droplets to dissipate after activation, but it's best to turn it off when parked to avoid draining the battery. If the mirrors are frozen, you'll need to scrape off the surface ice first - the heating alone won't work quickly enough. After several years of use, if the feature stops working, it's likely due to aged heating elements behind the mirror; replacing the mirror assembly costs around 200 yuan.
Take a closer look at the left control area of the steering wheel. There's a rear window defroster button on the AC panel with an upward-curving arrow. It controls both the rear window and exterior mirror heating – super practical, especially during southern China's humid spring when mirrors get completely fogged up. It automatically turns off after about 15 minutes. Note that combining mirror heating with AC works better, as reduced cabin humidity prevents fogging. During my last dealership maintenance visit, I heard newer models switched to touch panels, but the icon position remains similar.
Look for the button with a fan-shaped icon and wavy lines on the right side of the front defroster button. It's especially useful in winter—press it when frost forms, and after a while, you can see the frost on the rearview mirror melt into tiny droplets that gradually disappear. However, accumulated snow on the mirror needs to be cleared manually, as relying solely on heating is too slow. Turning it on right after starting the car isn’t very effective; it’s best to wait until the engine warms up before activating it.
