I had a manual interior mirror in my previous car and it worked fine, in particular when so many cars have xenons that dazzle without a decent amount of dimming. I didn't really want to get auto dimming on the A3 as my wife's mini has it fitted and I didn't like it as it never seemed to be dark enough, but just about ok. I ordered the comfort pack so got it fitted and it is in my opinion one of the poorest features on the car so much so I asked the dealers to check it was working (switching on/off) indicated it was changing, but it was marginal even in un-light roads. Anyway they said it was working and so I was stuck with it - looked to see about getting a manual, but that was to going to be easy so did a bit of DIY and got it to function where I could live with it - I blanked off the mirror side sensor and that did the trick - much darker and no dazzle, bit of a hassle having to switch the auto function on/off as it gets lighter, but preferable to the poor dimming I was getting. I am guessing I am alone as everyone seems to really like them on this forum.
Auto Dimming mirror is it just me?
- Thread starter kmacuk
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Had the auto dim on previous A3 and didn't notice the difference as had privacy glass, so I didn't spec it on my new A3 as still have privacy glass and can honestly say that I have noticed the difference so money well saved.
Mine seems to work fine as well - you can see that lights are bright when they are, but the dazzle and glare is removed, I've not been bothered by bright lights behind me since I've had the car. No privacy glass on mine.
Itguy
Registered User
No problems with mine either. Just a pity the passenger door mirror doesn't dim with the drivers one - cheapskates.
I don't find that a problem because the passenger mirror is generally not in your field of view, only when you actually look at it. I've not noticed it being a problem anyway.
Why not? The front windows aren't tinted so privacy glass has zero effect on the passenger mirror.
Itguy
Registered User
Works okay, but nowhere near as effective (even after taking into account the fact I have privacy) as in my Merc.
Really pleased with it in mine. Can't say I've ever thought it could do with more dimming although I have noticed that it really only works when its properly dark outside as a well street lit area sometimes confuses it Into thinking it's daylight and then it doesn't dim. Would spec again.
I've always been wary of auto dimming mirrors, they can dim so much you only see the lights of the car behind; how can you tell if you're being tailed by the fuzz????
Had it on my last three cars and wouldn't be without it tbh.
Are you sure the light from behind is getting to the mirror sensor ok? If the rear headrests are raised it can shade the sensor at times.
Are you sure the light from behind is getting to the mirror sensor ok? If the rear headrests are raised it can shade the sensor at times.
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My A4 worked fine but the A8 is a bit poo but I think that's down to the tints and rear blind.
I've put my hand over the sensor and it dimmed quick and well.
What happens if you take your bit of tape off and shine a torch into the sensor?
I've put my hand over the sensor and it dimmed quick and well.
What happens if you take your bit of tape off and shine a torch into the sensor?
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All rear head rests lowered, had considered this might be causing an issue. Pretty much looks like its me who has the issues then. I think, as per a previous post, that when there are bright lights to the front it gets easily confused - hence covering this sensor allows it to function, once covered it goes dark, less dark than a manual but dark enough; therefore I effectively have a manual mirror with digital on/off switch; not too big a deal, just disappointed in its function. I hadn't considered the privacy glass effect, maybe it is less of an issue for those with privacy glass because they all ready have darkened windows (as does my wife's car); the combination of low auto dim + privacy glass works fine so maybe this is by design?? Since blanking the front sensor I get almost zero graduation in the dark effect, which would suggest to me that its not dimming based on rear brightness, just the amount of light at the front screen.
Doubt it - I have privacy glass and the auto-dimming interior mirrors works well.
Have had auto-dimming interior mirrors in last 4 cars and never had an issue with any of them. Do miss it when I drive the Mrs' 10 year old Polo TDI which has a manually dimming one, though.
Is there? I thought the mirror was a self contained system and gets fed power only, so not sure how VCDS could affect it?
I've got auto-dim interior mirror and privacy glass and I haven't seen it work yet and to make it worse, the little green light irritates me, so I leave it switched off.
It's one of the few gadgets in modern cars that I just don't get on with. I much preferred the old style manual flick lever where you can decide for yourself.
I did try to de-spec it but it on the configurator it worked out more expense for some reason.
It's one of the few gadgets in modern cars that I just don't get on with. I much preferred the old style manual flick lever where you can decide for yourself.
I did try to de-spec it but it on the configurator it worked out more expense for some reason.
Non privacy windows and mine seems to be working well.
I've had one occasion when all I could see was dimmed lights, the rest complete black which I didn't like. I may have been travelling uphill so not sure if the angle of the light from behind darkens even more as there has been other occasions when it has worked as you would have expected it to.
Will keep an eye in exact scenarios and report back.
I've had one occasion when all I could see was dimmed lights, the rest complete black which I didn't like. I may have been travelling uphill so not sure if the angle of the light from behind darkens even more as there has been other occasions when it has worked as you would have expected it to.
Will keep an eye in exact scenarios and report back.
Does what it says on the tin, as for not knowing who is behind you, that's what door mirrors are for...
synthdood
Registered User
It works fine on my 8P but only if I leave the rear head rests all the way down. If the head rests are on the first click up (what I prefer) they are in the way and light from the car behind you does not reach the sensor in the mirror! You can actually see the shadow of the headrest across the lower half of the mirror. Stupid design really. The sensor should have been at the top of the mirror.
I use the door mirrors for reversing and overtaking and joining junctions, rear view mirror for viewing the rear
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I've not got privacy glass and my mirror works well.
As others say above, all the headrests are down low. However, could it also be the height of the driver/angle of the mirror that causes problems?
I am well over six foot tall and consequently my rear view mirror is set quite high. Would this enable more light to directly hit the sensor?
As others say above, all the headrests are down low. However, could it also be the height of the driver/angle of the mirror that causes problems?
I am well over six foot tall and consequently my rear view mirror is set quite high. Would this enable more light to directly hit the sensor?
I too am well over 6ft so its not that, but I had wondered. I just tested the front sensor (day time) with a torch placing it directly on the sensor - zero dimming until I fully cover the rear sensor - guess this is how it is supposed to work and it is indeed just me that as an issue with it. Manual for me would be preferable as I get no graduated dimming as darkness falls. At least my solution covering up the rear sensor resolves the problem and effectively gives me a manual.
I use the door mirrors for reversing and overtaking and joining junctions, rear view mirror for viewing the rear
Each to their own...
