Will Water in the Rearview Mirror Affect the Circuit?
3 Answers
Water in the rearview mirror can affect the circuit. Use the power-folding function of the exterior rearview mirror with caution in winter: In some high-end cars, the rearview mirrors can not only be adjusted electrically but also folded automatically. This requires special attention in winter. If there is dew, rain, or snow at night, the exterior rearview mirror may freeze, and attempting to fold it electrically can easily damage the motor, making the mirror unable to open. Therefore, it is advisable to turn off the power-folding function in winter. Add rain guards and small convex mirrors to the rearview mirror: If you live in an area with frequent rain, you can install a 70mai smart rearview mirror rain guard on your car, which can block rainwater to some extent. Be careful not to obstruct your view with the rain guard. Additionally, there are blind spots when looking at the rearview mirror inside the car. Installing a small convex mirror can help reduce these blind spots.
Water ingress into the rearview mirror can indeed affect the circuitry. As a driver who frequently works on my own car, I'm well aware of this. Most modern rearview mirrors are electrified, used for power adjustment or heating functions. Once water seeps in and contacts metal pins or circuit boards, it can cause a short circuit. The instantaneous excessive current may blow fuses or components. Even worse is corrosion – prolonged moisture oxidizes contact points, leading to circuit failures like inoperative heating functions or immovable angle adjustments. In one case I encountered, a friend had water ingress while driving, causing a short circuit in the rearview mirror that produced small sparks. Fortunately, they stopped immediately to address it. My advice is to first cut power after water ingress, open the cover to let the interior dry for a few days. If there's no improvement, seek professional repair – don't delay to avoid exacerbating the problem. During regular car washes, be careful to avoid mirror seams – prevention is easier than repair.
I have firsthand experience proving that water ingress in side mirrors can damage circuits. During last year's rainy season, my car's mirror heating system failed after water got inside. The reason was water intrusion into the connector socket causing a short circuit and immediate malfunction. Fortunately, it was just a blown fuse - the mechanic said if the wires had corroded, the entire control module would have needed replacement. Water in circuits can also easily cause poor contact, manifesting as jerky mirror adjustment or erratic indicator lights. Since then, I've developed a habit of checking the mirror edge sealant every six months. If water gets in, you should park immediately, dry it out, and test it. Don't underestimate this issue - at best it causes malfunctions, at worst fire risks. Timely action can prevent major trouble.
