Where is the rearview mirror heating button on the Civic?
2 Answers
The rearview mirror heating button on the Civic is located below the center control screen. There are two knobs below the center control screen. In the middle of the knobs, there is a row of buttons, and the rearview mirror heating button is the rightmost one. Rearview mirror heating is generally more suitable for rainy or snowy weather. When the rearview mirror is heated, the heater behind the mirror quickly heats the mirror surface, gradually removing rainwater or fog from the mirror, eliminating the need for the driver to frequently wipe the mirror manually, 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 function button—simply rotate the knob to activate it. The other is located on the air conditioning control panel—press the heating button to activate it. There is no need to manually adjust the angle, as there is an adjustment button on the driver's side. Principle of the rearview mirror heating function: After pressing the button, the electric heater behind the rearview mirror glass will rapidly heat up to a fixed temperature within a few minutes, usually between 35-60 degrees Celsius. The heat will dissipate from the left and right rearview mirrors. At the same time, due to the temperature increase and evaporation, water droplets on the mirror surface will become smaller, and fog will gradually disappear, thus heating the mirror and removing frost. If the rain is particularly heavy, its effect will diminish, and the impact will not be obvious. Precautions for using the rearview mirror heating function: The principle of rearview mirror heating is the addition of electric heating wires to the rearview mirror. These wires consume a significant amount of electricity. When using the rearview mirror heating function, ensure the car is in a running state. Avoid activating the rearview mirror heating function when the car is stationary to prevent the car battery from being drained, which could make it unable to provide power for starting the car. Other methods for defogging the rearview mirror include: Opening the windows for convection: Open a small gap in the side windows to allow air convection between the inside and outside of the car, reducing the temperature difference and causing the fog to gradually disappear. Adjust the car's air conditioning to the appropriate setting to use the hot air blown out by the air conditioning for defogging.
I've been driving a Civic for several years, and the rearview mirror heating button is actually quite easy to find. It's usually located together with the rear window defroster button, either in the air conditioning control panel area or on the driver's side dashboard. The button icon looks like a small rectangle with some wavy lines. I often use it when driving in foggy winter weather—just press it and the mirror slowly defogs, which is quite handy, so you don't have to panic and get out to wipe it. But don’t leave it on all the time; I once forgot to turn it off, but thankfully, modern Civics have an auto-timer to shut it off to prevent overheating. Also, don’t overlook loose wiring during regular maintenance, as it can easily cause a short circuit. Safety comes first when driving, and this feature is a real convenience, especially on rainy highways, improving visibility and helping avoid accidents. The location might vary slightly depending on the model year, but it’s generally to the right of the steering wheel, within easy reach.
