Where is the rearview mirror heating button on the Alphard?
2 Answers
The Alphard does not have a separate switch for rearview mirror heating. On the air conditioning panel, there is a fan-shaped button with an upward arrow—this is the switch. Simply press it to light it up, and the heating function will start working. Rearview mirror heating is particularly useful during rainy or snowy weather. When activated, the heater behind the mirror quickly warms the surface, gradually removing rainwater or fog, eliminating the need for the driver to manually wipe the mirrors frequently and thereby reducing driving hazards. How to use the rearview mirror heating function: There are generally two ways to activate the rearview mirror heating function. One is combined with the electric rearview mirror adjustment button—just rotate the knob to turn it on. The other is located on the air conditioning control panel—press the heating button to activate it. There’s no need to manually adjust the angle, as the driver’s side has an adjustment button. Principle of the rearview mirror heating function: After pressing the button, the electric heater behind the rearview mirror glass rapidly heats up to a fixed temperature within a few minutes, typically between 35-60 degrees Celsius. Heat is then emitted from the left and right rearview mirrors. Simultaneously, as the temperature rises and evaporation occurs, water droplets on the mirror surface gradually shrink, and fog slowly disappears, effectively defogging and deicing the mirror. However, if the rain is particularly heavy, the effect may diminish and become less noticeable. Precautions for using the rearview mirror heating function: The principle of rearview mirror heating involves electric heating wires embedded in the mirror, which consume a significant amount of power. When using this function, ensure the car is in an ignited state. Avoid activating rearview mirror heating while the car is stationary to prevent draining the battery and potentially leaving insufficient power to start the car. Other methods for defogging rearview mirrors include: Opening windows for air circulation: Crack open both side windows slightly to allow air exchange between the inside and outside of the car. This reduces the temperature difference, causing the fog to gradually disappear. Adjusting the car’s air conditioning to the appropriate setting can also help, as blowing warm air from the AC can effectively defog the mirrors.
In my Alphard car, looking for the rearview mirror heating button, it is actually usually shared with the rear window defogging function. Generally, it's located on the driver's side control panel or the center console, where there is a small button with a square icon and wavy lines. Pressing it not only defogs the rear window but also heats the rearview mirrors, which is crucial for driving in the rain to prevent fogging on the mirrors from affecting visibility. It's recommended to turn it on whenever you encounter heavy humidity while driving to ensure safety. The button is easy to locate, and you'll get used to it after using it a few times—safety first!
