Well, you learn something new everyday!!

 

My last car had auto heated mirrors. Basically when you turned the rear screen heater on the mirror heaters came on too.

 

This morning I was going to work and after the commute the mirrors were still misted with condensation. I'd had the rear screen on most of the way and was a bit worried that the mirror heater elements had burnt out or a fuse blown.

 

However, after a quick bit of research on here I found that you have to turn the mirror heaters on independently.

 

So for those who are like me, and rarely read the destruction manual for their vehicles, here's a pic of the mirror adjuster for the MkII FL. You have to turn the knob through to 9 o'clock / heater symbol to turn the mirror heaters on.

 

Don't forget to turn them off again though!!!

 

Just don't get why anyone would spend thousands on a car and then not learn how it works if you actually get the manual with the car, it's bonkers?!

 

The only thing worse than that was the smarmy dealer in Cranleigh I went to who didn't know that the sunroof opened the extra 4 inches if you turned the switch past the natural stopping point as it was designed. Unforgivable for a dealer.

In my 2007 you do the same thing but there isn't even a heated-mirror symbol, just a dot.

 

Leave it turned round it comes on with the rear screen then. Mine has been sitting there for the best part of 7yr with no issues.

Just don't get why anyone would spend thousands on a car and then not learn how it works if you actually get the manual with the car, it's bonkers?!

I guess it's because after driving for over 22 years most cars have the same button functions. Therefore most cars are the same.

Never before have I ever had a car where you have to turn the heated mirrors on with a switch, and I've had a few cars over the years.

My Octy has heated mirrors too, But would be great if the bloody things worked, Another job i have to get round to fixing....

I just leave the heated mirrors on all the time

I had been at ever fuse in both fuse boxes with a test lamp and had said a few sweary words before a got the manual out and realised

I guess it's because after driving for over 22 years most cars have the same button functions. Therefore most cars are the same.

Never before have I ever had a car where you have to turn the heated mirrors on with a switch, and I've had a few cars over the years.

 

Ah, that would explain it, I've only been driving 21 years so I still pay attention. I guess that's how people fill up their cars with the wrong fuel, cos it's kind of all the same isn't it.

 

Sweet jesus! :(

Ah, that would explain it, I've only been driving 21 years so I still pay attention. I guess that's how people fill up their cars with the wrong fuel, cos it's kind of all the same isn't it.

Sweet jesus! :(

That's got to be the most ridiculous comparison I've ever heard, and probably explains the point why folks have to read the manual if they don't even know what kind of fuel their car runs in, or more to the point what colour nozzle to put into the filler cap.

Edited 11 March, 201412 yr by goshow

Leave them switched on, help prevent the glass falling out! Plenty of threads in the forum on the topic

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I leave mine on all the time. The mirrors have what looks like dirt between the layers now though. But with my car there either on or at an adjust side and cba nudging them and having to set them again haha

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Is it ok to leave them on all the time? Was only thinking this yesterday morning.

I leave my drivers mirror switched 'ON' all the time, just can't be bothered to switch'OFF'

Car now in it's ninth year and the mirror heater still works OK..

I think it has a timer, i.e 10 minutes then switches off, even is the switch is left into heating mode?

 

During winter I let it on always, but not when the weather gets warmer.

I always 'forget' to turn them on as well as all my other cars (all Japanese) turned the heated mirrors on with the rear window.  I prefer to leave my mirror switch over to the 'left' mirror as that enables the wing mirror dip when you put it in reverse.

My Felicia's heated mirrors just came on with the rear screen heater.

 

The design of the mirror switch has been the same across VAG cars since around 2000/01 in the original Fabia etc.

 

Phil

The heating only works for around 10-12 mins, and only if the external temperature is below 20c.

 

Also, I think there is a CECM function to turn on mirror heaters when the rear demister is activated (regardless of mirror switch position). Did it on a Polo GTi yesterday, gotta see if its available on my Octavia.

Just tested this morning. I put the rear screen heater on and the mirrors did not defrost, had to manually switch the mirror heating.

That's got to be the most ridiculous comparison I've ever heard, and probably explains the point why folks have to read the manual if they don't even know what kind of fuel their car runs in, or more to the point what colour nozzle to put into the filler cap.

or if someone doesn't wonder why their mirrors aren't demisting or that it's got a symbol next to it which shows you what they're for or at least makes the average human being curious as to what that function actually is.

What's the most common problem for the heated mirrors not working. I switched the knob across to the heated mirror sign but no sign of them hearing up :confused:

Blown fuse or broken wire to the glass are the first things to look at I would say. If they are ok test the voltage across the wires to the heater terminals with the switch on and if there is voltage, the element in the glass will have gone.

The glass pops off relatively easily by rotating it to its lowest position and prising it off gently. The terminal wires are then obvious.

When testing, place the exterior temp sensor in a glass of cold water otherwise the car won't send any power to the elements.

Interesting... so you are suggesting they only work in lower temperatures?? Which explains some apparently odd behaviour I thought my mirrors were exhibiting recently!!!

I thought that if the knob was on the heater option, they would come on regardless? Helps get rid of the condensation which I had the other morning and around 14 Celsius.

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I thought that if the knob was on the heater option, they would come on regardless? Helps get rid of the condensation which I had the other morning and around 14 Celsius.

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They need to be set to on and then should only come on with the rear screen demist, they switch themselves off (like the screen) after 10/15min)

I hadn't read about the 20C limit.

 

Mine were starting to give up the ghost at about 6yr. Was going to replace the glass but sold the car.