Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror

[hertsnminds]

Driving home up the M40 yesterday and noticed that my rear view mirror was not auto dimming. I put this down to the fact it was before sunset and the car did not think anyone would have headlights on. However they did as it had been raining and was overcast which meant I was being blinded when looking in the rear view with no way to dip the mirror.

 

Does the auto dimming function only work when the ambient light is low (i.e. at night)? Is there a manual way to make the mirror dim (I know you can cancel the auto dim with the button under the mirror)?

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[wozza]

There the green light on 1 side of the mirror and then theres the sensor for the dimming on the other side. Good way to check if it is workign properly is turn the interior light on if its working you will barely be able to see yourself in the reflection.

 

If its fairly light outside though dont think it will dim that much.

[Welshguy]

Do you think I could buy one of these mirrors from Citroen? I take it is is plugged into the Cars ECU, or does it just rely on sensors in the mirror?

[wozza]

Whole new mirror and will need to be hooked up somewhere as it needs an electric feed. Not sure if the autowiper sensor is built into it as well as its near that part of the screen.

[Guest CE05LDB]

They should put them Mirrors on the C3 Exclusive. Mind you there a few things theu should put on the C3 Exclusive. Like the Auto dimming mirror. Electric Rear Windows and the function where you can close all the windows with the remote.

[hertsnminds]

OK found the answer at the Gentex website

http://www.gentex.com/auto_how_nvs_work.html

 

1. A forward-facing sensor recognizes low ambient light levels and signals the mirror to begin looking for glare.

 

2. A rearward-facing sensor then detects glare from the vehicles traveling behind you, sending voltage to the mirror's EC gel in proportion to the amount of glare detected.

 

3. The mirror dims in proportion to the glare and then clears when the glare is no longer detected.

 

4. The interior mirror's sensors and electronics control the dimming of both interior and exterior mirrors.

 

BTW Gentex make the 3 auto dimming mirrors for the C6 and they also make an auto dimming rearview mirror as a 3rd party add on.

 

Gentex don't sell direct but these guys in the US do

http://www.mitocorp.com/flash/nightvisions...mingmirrors.htm

cost between £100 and £150

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+