On my Superb I leave the mirror switch on heated always, except when I have folded the mirrors. I find that driving in rain, leaving it in this position keeps the mirrors clear, unlike my other car (a Mondeo) where the heated mirrors work in conjunction with the HRW, which shuts off after 10 minutes. I also did this with my Octavia and never had any problems doing so. A previous BMW always heated the mirrors, unless the outside temperature was quite high.

Regarding the HFS, I believe that until very recently Ford owned the patent, so few other manufacturers would put this into their cars as they would probably have to pay Fords for the privilege. I read on another forum that Ford did not renew the patent, so manufacturers can now add this to their cars in a cost effective way.

This morning there was quite a heavy frost on both cars windscreens, the side and rear windows were just wet.

I started the engines in the Yeti and the Citigo. Turned on the HFS in the Yeti and wound the heat up to full in the Citigo with Max screen heat selected.

By the time I had squeegied off the wet windows on both cars, the front screens on both had melted, a quick wipe with the wipers and all was hunky dory.

Without the HFS on the Yeti I would have been there a lot longer, the Citigo is a gem of a car in many respects, were are chuffed with both of them for different reasons.

Glen - thanks for confirming that even the Superb uses the same simple switch technology. Skoda are obviously convinced it is correct for whatever reason. I wonder if we will ever know the logic? Anyway I am and have been, quite happy to use the switch!!

Internal photographs of the New Octavia show the mirror heater switch still uses the same system, but there is also an additional position. Perhaps this is for the reverse position as i mentioned in my post no.2 above?

I left my switched on for around 4 days, I forgot to turn them off. One trip was a long one down to Wiltshire with them on.

They obviously cut off after a certain time so no harm leaving them on I suppose, although I try to remember to switch off each time.

Mick

The heated mirrors do not automatically turn off, they only turn off when you move the switch out of the 'heating' position.

The heated mirror operation is completely seperate to the rear heated screen function.

This is the same across all Skoda models. They all use the same switch/system.

Leaving them on does have an adverse affect, although on the Citygo this may have improved.

1) The glass eventually delaminates (small brown patches over the glass). Older Octavia's suffer from this, as do some BMW's where it is not possible to turn the function off.

2) The adhesive bond between the glass and it's retaining bracket weakens and after a few years the mirror glass becomes loose, vibrates/wobbles and finally drops off. Again this problem only appears after a good few years of leaving the heated mirrors turned on all of the time.

The lack of a light to signal they are turned on is poor, it is about time Skoda designed a new switch, preferably one that doesn't feel as though its going to break each time you rotate it!

Internal photographs of the New Octavia show the mirror heater switch still uses the same system, but there is also an additional position. Perhaps this is for the reverse position as i mentioned in my post no.2 above?

The additional position is utilised on Skoda's (and Seat's) today.

It is the 'folding mirror' position.

The additional position is utilised on Skoda's (and Seat's) today.

It is the 'folding mirror' position.

Fancy me forgetting that - I had that position on my 2009 Octavia Elegance! I only ever used the remote to fold the mirrors. Thanks for the clarification and advice.

Edited 29 December, 201213 yr by CortinaGT

All that I can say, is "Whoopy Doo for the Forum"! Have had my Elegance for 6 months now, and prior to reading this thread, never even thought about the heated door mirrors (well, who would in UK's balmy climate)but as sure as eggs have little lions, all one has to do, is to turn the mirror-adjustment knob to the 12'o' clock position. It's probably sensible to turn the knob off, once that the mirrors have de-frosted, although on my last car, the HDM's automatically came on when the HRS was used (damn fiendish, these Swedes)& although I used the HRS on a regular basis, I never noticed any signs of discolouration on the mirrors.

Yeah, Mr (& Mrs)Skoda obviously have implemented certain cost-cutting measures, but they don't detract from how good the car actually is.

The ONLY gripe that I have, is that the A pillars are extremely obtrusive - fit wind deflectors, and it cuts down the field of vision, even further. STILL................................

Exactly

Not the best design, should have made them work with the HRW

On the Fabia it is possible on VCDS to activate the Heated Mirrors along with the Heated Rear Windscreen. So you only have to press one button.

Not sure about the Citigo, maybe worth a look though.

I dont like the mirror switch personally.

edit: also. The Fabia heated mirrors time out after 20 minutes iirc

Edited 22 December, 201510 yr by fabiamk2SE

My reading of the 'handbook' on mirror adjustment/heating (Elegance) is that the knob is turned to adjust the position of the mirror, & pushed forward to turn on the heating. I have assumed that it switched off when heated as does the rear window heater. But I now gather this is not so & the little knob has to be pulled back to swith off the mirror heating?

Clarification welcomed.

My reading of the 'handbook' on mirror adjustment/heating (Elegance) is that the knob is turned to adjust the position of the mirror, & pushed forward to turn on the heating. I have assumed that it switched off when heated as does the rear window heater. But I now gather this is not so & the little knob has to be pulled back to swith off the mirror heating?

Clarification welcomed.

As above

It does time out on the Fabia after 20 mins. I cant see why the citigo would be different?

My reading of the 'handbook' on mirror adjustment/heating (Elegance) is that the knob is turned to adjust the position of the mirror, & pushed forward to turn on the heating. I have assumed that it switched off when heated as does the rear window heater. But I now gather this is not so & the little knob has to be pulled back to swith off the mirror heating?

Clarification welcomed.

Pushed forward is wrong. The knob has to be rotated so that the white spot is at the12 o,clock position.

The owners manual is misleading. Lost in translation??

I set mine to come on with rear window switch. Done through the vcd. I find it's quicker and easier than using mirror switch.

I set mine to come on with rear window switch. Done through the vcd. I find it's quicker and easier than using mirror switch.

 

its loads better isnt it. And you dont have to mess about with the silly mirror switch. 

 

ive had one break in the past. luckily replaced under warranty 

I'm lost - what is a vcd? And does a Citigo Elegance have one? Where?

Or is a vcd the Garmin thing, which is pretty well a mystery to me other than the car info display.

Vcd is a diagnostic system. You need a cable and software. I have genuine cable but have heard about cheap cables. It's a lot of money or odd job but I always have vw and skoda cars so it has saved me loads over years. I think I paid £250 for mine but sold old version I had for £200. On vw forums I'm on we help other local owners in return for odd beer tokens lol. Not sure what happens on here.

It's actually called VCDS (Vag-Com Diagnostic System). You can get knock-off versions from Chinese mart sites for around £16 including postage to the UK.

The genuine Ross-Tech cables are upgradeable (the firmware in the USB adapter needs to match the version of software on your PC) but the Chinese copies cannot be upgraded and will be "bricked" if you try to upgrade the firmware.

Edited 27 December, 201510 yr by ronime

Thanks for the explanation. I'll skip that & not fuss about the mirror heating.