Well, as the wing mirrors were misty yesterday, I decided to use the mirror heaters. Only, thing is the water didn't clear off either mirror, even after being on for 15 minutes, which doesn't seem right to me.

Checked the fuse and that's fine - is there anything else I can check before it goes to a dealer and I part with a big wad of cash, or could it be a DIY job (and any hints and tips)? Car has 54k miles on it - is this just end of life for the elements?

Thanks for any help

Cheers, Chris

I might be completely stupid and wrong, but does the Fabia have settings L, R and middle?

If so, did you have it in the middle?

And did you have the heated rear screen on?

I might be completely stupid and wrong' date=' but does the Fabia have settings L, R and middle?

If so, did you have it in the middle?

And did you have the heated rear screen on?[/quote']

Er, it has 3 settings, L, L+R and Heated. It was in the heated position ;)Tried it with and without heated rear window. Heated rear window works fine

Chris

The heated mirror does not shed water - it would be cool if it would get hot enough to boil the water off, but thats not gonna happen.

The only way I've to get rid of standing water on the glass is a swift wipe with a cloth.

edited to say if the glass is foggy alone (i.e. cold dry days) the heater setting clears it within 60 seconds on mine. I think thats the only thing the heated element in the mirror was designed to do?

The heated mirror does not shed water - it would be cool if it would get hot enough to boil the water off' date=' but thats not gonna happen.

The only way I've to get rid of standing water on the glass is a swift wipe with a cloth.

[/quote']

I find after a fast enough drive the water beads up sufficiently allowing reasonable vision. However Devnutopia is spot on. Wipe it with a Chamois for best results!

chamois? Bit posh for us Devon folk ya know... :P Sleeve normally does it - it can dry later.

I also find a small coating of ombrello can help with water dispersion at speed.

Next time you turn on the heated mirror, touch it after a few minutes, if it is warm then it still works, if not there may be a problem.

Ah right - in previous cars with heated mirrors it acted like the heated rear window and got hot enough to cause the water to evaporate, so I assumed it was the same. I'll have to wait for some cold mornings before I test it properly, but I'll try leaving it on and touching it after a few minutes

For the time being I'll continue to wipe it with my chamois/sleeve

Chris

Surely if it got that hot, then either the plastic would soften up, or the element burn out. Dont forget, VW have (not sure if it applies to Skoda) a relay that allows the heated rear window for a max of 10 mins...no where near long enough to disperse/evaporate any water.

Surely if it got that hot, then either the plastic would soften up, or the element burn out. Dont forget, VW have (not sure if it applies to Skoda) a relay that allows the heated rear window for a max of 10 mins...no where near long enough to disperse/evaporate any water.

I have seen it move some of the misty water which is useful. As for the 10 minute relay is that true? I'm sure my rear screens been on for longer to help clear condensation.

I have seen it move some of the misty water which is useful. As for the 10 minute relay is that true? I'm sure my rear screens been on for longer to help clear condensation.

Yep, my VW Transporter (van) automatically turns the heated rear window off after 10 mins. If you want it to run again you have to repress the switch. I havent ever used the heated rear window in the Superb so I cant be sure it it does it or not.

On my Furby vRS I believe the rear window stays on for 20 minutes, however I think that my mirrors have no timer on them, nor are they linked to the rear window. I'm sure they come on and stay on when you turn the mirror adjust knob.

I have just had both the mirrors on our Furby changed under warranty because the elements were faulty.

On a damp day the water does dry quite quickly on the replacements.

The dealer gave the impression that it was quite a common fault.

They were changed whilst I waited (They are just pulled out the old one and pushed in the new ones without any dismantling of the mirror). Took about 5 minutes to complete.

I think Butts sell them and they are about

I find the heated mirrors on my Octavia are excellent and clear the water quickly, they are excellent on wet motorways were they clear the water spray quickly.

As has been mentioned it is probably a dodgy heating element

Thanks for the help guys. According to the handbook the mirrors are on a 15 minute timer, probably to prevent the element burning out, but I haven't been able to test that yet Will give the dealer a ring on Monday and get a quote for replacing them.

Chris