Hello M8's

 

I found the heated mirror switch on my Octy was left on a few times in the recent cold weather for much longer than I would have liked - especially given the concern discussed elsewhere about possible deterioration of the adhesive holding the mirror glasses in place.

 

I was hoping to locate the relay that turns the mirror heaters on and take a lead from that to an LED on the dashboard to act as a warning light. I gave up on that though as I couldn't locate that relay. It is beyond me why Skoda couldn't include a warning light in the same way that they do for the heated rear window....

 

What I have done though is put three white stripes on the part of the adjustment knob that faces the driver when the heater is turned on (see picture attached). I used a "Pentel" micro correct pen with a needle applicator to make the marks. Although not perfect it stands out quite well and gives a much better chance of letting me know when the heaters are on. Once the heaters are turned off the stripes face away from the driver so do not distract.

 

Hope that might help someone else :sun:

The HRW warning light actually does this on mine. The mirror switch just stops you moving the mirror(s) accidentally, and enables the heaters when you select HRW.

The HRW warning light actually does this on mine. The mirror switch just stops you moving the mirror(s) accidentally, and enables the heaters when you select HRW.

 

As far as I am aware, the HRW is a totally separate unit from the heated mirrors. The HRW warning light does not show the state of the mirror heaters.

 

If you have your mirror switch set to heater all the time, the mirror heaters are permanently on.

Yes Ken - that is what happens on my car. The heated mirrors only come on when the mirror knob is turned towards the heater symbol and this is completely independant of the heated rear window. Maybe some models operate differently?

 

There is also no VCDS modification available as there is with some other VAG cars. I checked that one out first as it would have been an easy solution.

 

In the meantime I guess that lots of mirror glasses may be dropping out because people don't realise they are being heated at temperatures below 20 degrees with the switch left on in the heater position.

They do turn off after 10 minutes though. They then come on after the next ignition off/engine on cycle.

 

Phil

Is that changeable via VCDS?

The HRW warning light actually does this on mine. The mirror switch just stops you moving the mirror(s) accidentally, and enables the heaters when you select HRW.

 

Not sure where you got this from?

 

There have been quite a few threads on this over the years. As has been mentioned the heated mirrors are completely independent from the heated rear screen.

 

Whilst there is no warning light for the heated mirrors, there is an automatic shut-off as Phil mentions instead.

 

Granted, it isn't perfect, if the heated mirror switch is left in the on position the mirrors will heat up for 10 minutes after each cycle of the ignition. Perhaps no bad thing in the winter but not ideal during the summer months.

 

The failing of the mirror adhesive and the delamination of the mirror glass on older cars are all rumored to be exacerbated by leaving the heated mirrors turned on all of the time.

Edited 25 February, 201511 yr by silver1011

Good to know about the shut off cos a few times I've left in on accidentally. If it was that important to the OP, just wondering if he could use one of the connections or wires on the switch itself to simply act as a  switch for an led built into the door or elsewhere. Wouldn't have thought it would be that difficult as long as there's no canbus issues.

 

Remember the good old days when you could wire up what you wanted?!

You can change the duration the mirrors stay heated for via VCDS, same as the rear windscreen, if I am not mistaken.

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Meh I left mine on for 7yr didn't affect the mirrors.

 

I thought they only kicked in when the rear screen was on as well.

Meh I left mine on for 7yr didn't affect the mirrors.

 

I thought they only kicked in when the rear screen was on as well.

 

On my 57 plate Octavia the heated mirrors worked completely independently of the heated rear window, but apparently this varied according to model year.

Glad to know they time out after ten minutes. Thought they did not on my car- but a check is due now!

Mine are definitely independent of the HRW.

Yep independant and are on pretty much all VAG vehicles.

Mirror adhesive issue affects most cars but nothing a good dose of Araldite doesnt sort.

I didnt realise they were timed though ai thought all the while they were on they were on.

On my O3 there is a convenience consumers menu on the infotainment and maxidot That tells you whats switched on and how much fuel its potentially wasting, a bit of a gimmick though.

When I checked mine last week they did not time out. :no:

Interesting topic as I have just changed cars and noting the differences. On my old car I left the heated mirrors on the whole time for the 7 years I had it. The advantage is that it clears early morning dew and rain after a shower without having to think about it.

On the new car it says in the handbook that the heater only works up to +20C, so that suggest the heater might be of the type where the resistance changes with temperature. Any thoughts?