Heated mirrors

[jet_andy]

Anyone know if the heated mirrors stay on all of the time they're actually switched on? With no indicator light can't really tell - and with previous cars I've had they were linked to the HRW. It's easy to forget they're on.

Manual says depending on outside temp and roadspeed, but thought I'd seen somewhere about a time limit?

 

[NHN]

No, they pulse iirc, then after say 10 minutes turn of.

 

[cemerson]

I believe they just stay on... I keep leaving mine on and forgetting

 

[cuke2u]

Hi, if they are like any other car I've owned they should only come on with the rear screen heater then turn off after a timed amount with the rear screen heater. Seems daft to have them stay on all of the time as most mirrors will demist after a couple of mins...

 

[jet_andy]

Hi, if they are like any other car I've owned they should only come on with the rear screen heater then turn off after a timed amount with the rear screen heater. Seems daft to have them stay on all of the time as most mirrors will demist after a couple of mins...

They don't come on with HRW - have their own switch.

 

[cemerson]

Indeed, it's a position on the mirror adjuster / rotary knob.

The economy screen in the DIS will tell you when they are on, as it shows it as something that uses fuel!

 

[A3sportbackMark]

Anyone know if the heated mirrors stay on all of the time they're actually switched on? With no indicator light can't really tell - and with previous cars I've had they were linked to the HRW. It's easy to forget they're on.

Manual says depending on outside temp and roadspeed, but thought I'd seen somewhere about a time limit?

The status of the heated mirrors can be seen on the DIS in the Car->efficiency mode menu, scroll to last option I think. this gives a list of things that contribute to eating into your mpg figures.

 

[jet_andy]

Didn't know that, will take a look.

 

[jet_andy]

Almost got a pure Scuba Blue thread....

 

[A3sportbackMark]

Haha....indeed, just need coolguy and diesel doug!

 

[coolguy]

Here I am. Got me thinking this, still not tried the heated mirrors.

 

[cemerson]

Good for getting rid of rain as well!

 

[cuke2u]

They don't come on with HRW - have their own switch.

Waste of an extra switch then...

 

[Cruiser89]

Like NHN said...

They pump full power (100%) on when the car is first started to clear any ice / snow / water and then after about 2mins they will drop down to a constant (7%) power and will pulse every so often.

When we have done our heated mirror retrofits we always check the logging to ensure it's not over powering etc.

 

[dieseldoug]

I am here didn't get in on time!!
I just thought they came on when you start the car and time out, as the knob is always left on heated mirrors position.

 

[jet_andy]

Left them on today on journey to work and pretty much fits with Cruiser89's description. Info screen showed them on at all times, but they definitely weren't hot like when you first start (can see rain water steaming off then). But when I felt the mirror it was just slightly warm - could tell it was just a bit warmer than ambient.

Good to know they're not pumping loads of power in if you do forget them.

 

[A3sportbackMark]

When I put them on, it's so easy to forget to switch them off, as they clear the raindrops so quickly, so good to know their operation.

Hadn't thought of feeling them for warmth

 

[Silky-S3]

So is there a separate switch for the heated mirrors? Or is it like the 8P when the middle setting of the adjustment knob set them to heated?

 

[dieseldoug]

On my Q5 there is only 3 positions for the mirror left or right, then heated position, again as I said in previous post I just leave it on the heated position.

 

[cuke2u]

On my Q5 there is only 3 positions for the mirror left or right, then heated position, again as I said in previous post I just leave it on the heated position.

Aha I see now, this is why I need the ****** manual before I get the car. Or just keep my mouth shut

 

[cemerson]

There's an additional 'fold mirrors' position as well if you have the folding mirrors

 

[NHN]

So is there a separate switch for the heated mirrors? Or is it like the 8P when the middle setting of the adjustment knob set them to heated?

My 8P heated glass works on mine with it set to drivers mirror aswell, that's with rear demister on, whether it works without rear demister is another matter as isn't cold enough yet for them to auto function, although I may check for a temp setting in vcds to see if they work with switch in drivers mirror position.

 

[ddscot]

I know what you mean, just got a 63 8v sportback 1.6 tdi in Daytona as a company car a couple of months ago (finally after waiting 7 months) and can't understand why the mirror heat is on the rotary switch, why not a button like the rear child locks?

My Astra H beforehand just came on with the rear screen heat, not that that is ideal but why the need to rotate the knob so to speak, it can be left on in my case until you realise the reverse isn't working which relies on the selector being left on the left adjust mark, seems a bit weird but there you go, otherwise I love it.

 

[PilotAudi]

Audi mirror heat typically works when the Rotary switch is in the middle /off position and HRW is on..

 

[cemerson]

I'll test it tomorrow if I remember

 

[PilotAudi]

Did it work!

 

[cemerson]

Ah yes, the 'if I remember' bit...

Actually I did try it briefly I think, but it didn't work. I'll have to try a longer test at some point, but pretty sure you have to have the mirror switch in the right place for it to work.

 

[jet_andy]

Did it work!

No it doesn't.
Has to be in the Heat position.