
The mirror heating function in Mercedes-Benz vehicles is located on the car's central control screen, while some models have a dedicated button. The icon for the button-type mirror heating switch needs to be distinguished from the front windshield defogging button. A shape with three upward curved arrows inside a fan represents the front windshield defrost button, whereas a shape with three upward curved arrows inside a square frame indicates the mirror heating button. The working principle of mirror heating involves installing an electric heating element (heating film) inside the mirror lenses on both sides. During rainy or snowy weather, when the driver activates the mirror heating function, the heating element quickly warms up to a fixed temperature within a few minutes, effectively removing fog and frost. In addition to the heating element, some vehicles feature a knob-type mirror heating switch. On the driver's side door, there is a knob at the front left with several symbols: L, 0, R, and a heating symbol. The heating symbol, which is a square frame with three upward curved arrows, serves as the mirror heating switch. Turning the knob to this symbol activates the mirror heating function. Precautions for using the mirror heating function: After turning on the mirror heating function, the defogging or defrosting effect is not immediate. It takes some time for the frost or fog to gradually dissipate after preheating. Excessive use of this function, especially when each session lasts over 30 minutes, can affect the mirror's lifespan, clarity, and brightness. The mirror heating function typically only activates when the external temperature is below 20 degrees Celsius. If the outside temperature is high, the mirrors will not heat up even if the switch is turned on. The mirror heating function is designed to remove fog droplets and frost from the mirror surface but cannot eliminate raindrops in heavy rain. During heavy rainfall, the heat generated by the heating element is insufficient to evaporate continuous raindrops, which may still cause blurring and obstruct the driver's view. Vehicles equipped with mirror heating have specialized mirror lenses with heating function connectors, differing from standard lenses. When replacing the mirror lenses, it is crucial to ensure compatibility with the heating feature.

After driving for so many years, I can find the Mercedes-Benz rearview mirror heating button with my eyes closed. It's located on the center console near the air conditioning controls, featuring a square with three curved arrows, integrated with the rear windshield defogger button. Press it, and in about 20 seconds, the fog on the mirror will gradually clear. However, note that this feature is temperature-dependent; the heating element only activates when the outside temperature is below 15°C, so pressing it in summer won't have any effect. Also, in older models, the button might be on the driver's side door panel, marked with a heating symbol next to the mirror adjustment knob.

This feature on my Mercedes-Benz C-Class is particularly practical. It's very intuitive to operate—just locate the button with the square ripple pattern on the control panel below the air vents on the driver's side. It's linked to the rear window defogger; pressing it once activates heating in three zones simultaneously. However, each activation lasts only 15 minutes before automatically shutting off to prevent overheating and damage to the mirrors. Remember to press it in advance during rainy conditions when visibility is poor—it takes about two to three minutes for the mirrors to heat up and clear the water droplets. This small feature makes lane changes much safer when driving on the highway.

It took me quite some time to find this feature the first time I drove a Mercedes. Later, I discovered that the heating switch is near the knob for adjusting the mirrors. For example, in the E-Class, it's located in the control area above the driver's door handle. Simply turn the knob to the heating symbol at the three o'clock position to activate it. It's especially useful during winter or rainy days. Turn it on as soon as you get in the car, and while the hot air blows on the windshield, the fog on the mirrors will gradually disappear. However, remember that it automatically disables when the temperature exceeds 20 degrees to prevent unnecessary power consumption in the summer.


