Which Button is for the Rearview Mirror Heating Function?
4 Answers
The rearview mirror heating button is located at the lower right corner of the center console, marked with an icon of three upward-curving arrows inside a square frame. The rearview mirror heating function refers to the ability of the rearview mirror to be heated by the electric heating wires embedded behind the mirror surface when driving in rainy, snowy, or foggy weather, ensuring a clear mirror surface. Rearview mirror heating is particularly useful in rainy or snowy weather. When activated, the heater behind the mirror quickly warms the mirror surface, gradually removing rainwater or fog, eliminating the need for the driver to frequently wipe the mirror manually, thereby reducing driving hazards. How to use the rearview mirror heating function: The rearview mirror heating function typically has two activation methods. One is combined with the electric rearview mirror adjustment 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. No manual angle adjustment is needed, 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, usually between 35-60 degrees Celsius. The heat is then emitted from the left and right rearview mirrors. Meanwhile, due to the rising temperature and evaporation, water droplets on the mirror surface gradually shrink, and fog slowly dissipates, effectively heating the mirror and removing frost. If the rain is particularly heavy, its effectiveness may diminish and become less noticeable. Precautions for using the rearview mirror heating function: The principle of rearview mirror heating involves adding electric heating wires to the mirror. These wires consume a significant amount of power. When using the rearview mirror heating function, ensure the car is in an ignited state. Avoid activating the function while the car is stationary to prevent draining the car battery, which could lead to insufficient power for starting the vehicle. Other methods for defogging rearview mirrors include: Opening windows for air circulation: Crack open the side windows slightly to allow air exchange between the inside and outside of the car, reducing the temperature difference and gradually eliminating fog. Adjusting the air conditioning: Set the car's air conditioning to the appropriate setting to blow warm air for defogging.
The location of the rearview mirror heating button varies by car model. In my Volkswagen, it's on the left side of the center console near the window defroster button, with an icon of a mirror and wavy arrows. Just press it when there's light rain or frost, and the water droplets on the mirror will disappear in about three to five minutes—super convenient. However, remember that the system automatically turns off after activation, so keeping it on for too long wastes electricity. I've also noticed that some cars integrate it with the rear window heating in a single button, like pressing the REAR key to heat both the rearview mirror and rear windshield. If you can't find the button, checking the owner's manual is always a safe bet, since designs differ a lot between brands.
I usually drive Japanese cars more often, and the rearview mirror heating button is located in the small square icon in the air conditioning control area. This feature is particularly useful in humid weather. After pressing the button, a small indicator light on the dashboard will illuminate, indicating it's working. However, there are two things to note: first, don't rush to wipe the mirror surface with a towel when you just turn it on, as it can easily damage the heating wires; second, the effect is reduced when temperatures are below freezing and the mirror is icy, so it's best to manually remove the ice first. Additionally, I've observed that luxury models often place this function in the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, while economy cars usually place it directly on the center console. Nowadays, new energy vehicles are even smarter, with some allowing the heating function to be activated via voice control.
To locate the rearview mirror heating button, first look for the icon—most cars use a rectangle with three wavy lines. From my experience, it's often placed near the windshield defroster button or integrated into the rear window heater. Once, while driving a friend's new energy vehicle, I discovered it was built into the mirror adjustment knob—just turn it to the heating icon position. Usage tips: works best in rainy conditions, but avoid using it on hot days as it accelerates mirror surface aging; in winter mornings, heating takes about 8 minutes to take effect. Some older models lack a dedicated button, requiring menu navigation through the infotainment system—quite inconvenient.
