VW Heated Mirrors

[tbm5690]

My GLI has heated side mirrors, but to turn them on I have to turn the adjustment knob to the "heat" position. It has the other standard selections of L, off, and R on the same knob for selecting which mirror you would like to adjust, and on some models a 5th position exists for power fold in. Why does VW make you select heat this way? Every other vehicle I've ever owned puts the mirror heat on the same circuit as the rear defroster so it's one button push for everything. I have to keep the knob on the "R" position if I want the right mirror to tilt down in reverse, so if I ever want mirror heat I need to remember to switch it back to "R" after the snow and ice is melted. Just curious if I'm missing the reason as to why having a separate control is advantageous.

 

[FatOrangeCat]

Simply less expensive to have many features in one switch module. Customer convenience comes second to cost.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Rear window defoggers time out, the side switch in VAG cars does not. I use it when I drive down the road and the side mirrors keep misting up.

 

[edyvw]

I prefer the VW way. Mirrors mist all the time.

 

[andrew_j]

I dislike the control on wife’s Tiguan mostly because she turns on and forgets about it. I guess no harm except they may wear out .

 

[shortyb]

I dislike the control on wife’s Tiguan mostly because she turns on and forgets about it. I guess no harm except they may wear out .

Wife does the same thing. I figure while it's still cold, no big deal as the heater circuit is on a timer like the rear defroster and will turn off. Starts all over again the next day when she takes off. Come late March, I'll reset it to the neutral position and she'll never know the difference. Why can they tell you what you were wearing on the first date, but not how long the CEL has been on?

 

[KrisZ]

Simply less expensive to have many features in one switch module. Customer convenience comes second to cost.

Well, VWs also have a rear window defrost button, so it’s not like they had to create a separate one.

This has nothing to do with savings, but more to do with logic, which Germans are quite known for. You want to heat the mirrors, use the buttons that operate the mirrors. Makes perfect logical sense.

Rear window defrost has nothing to do with mirrors and using that button makes no logical sense because the mirrors oftentimes fog up, while the rear window is clear and vice versa.

But since most manufacturers adopted this button for heater mirrors, people are used to it, even though logically it makes no sense.

 

[RooflessVW]

Well, VWs also have a rear window defrost button, so it’s not like they had to create a separate one.

This has nothing to do with savings, but more to do with logic, which Germans are quite known for. You want to heat the mirrors, use the buttons that operate the mirrors. Makes perfect logical sense.

Rear window defrost has nothing to do with mirrors and using that button makes no logical sense because the mirrors oftentimes fog up, while the rear window is clear and vice versa.

But since most manufacturers adopted this button for heater mirrors, people are used to it, even though logically it makes no sense.

Ding ding.

 

[dbias]

I dislike the control on wife’s Tiguan mostly because she turns on and forgets about it. I guess no harm except they may wear out .

I’m pretty sure the heated mirrors take the outside temperature into account. It’s not like they run during the summer. My GTI has the ability to have the heated seats and steering wheel come on when started as long as it’s cold enough. ( above 68F, 20C they do not work even if left on the heater position)

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

My GLI has heated side mirrors, but to turn them on I have to turn the adjustment knob to the "heat" position. It has the other standard selections of L, off, and R on the same knob for selecting which mirror you would like to adjust, and on some models a 5th position exists for power fold in. Why does VW make you select heat this way? Every other vehicle I've ever owned puts the mirror heat on the same circuit as the rear defroster so it's one button push for everything. I have to keep the knob on the "R" position if I want the right mirror to tilt down in reverse, so if I ever want mirror heat I need to remember to switch it back to "R" after the snow and ice is melted. Just curious if I'm missing the reason as to why having a separate control is advantageous.

On BMWs the mirrors are heated when the vehicle is started and output is regulated..

 

[kschachn]

On BMWs the mirrors are heated when the vehicle is started and output is regulated..

My old 530i had a temperature sensor that turned on the mirror heater and the heated washer nozzles.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

My old 530i had a temperature sensor that turned on the mirror heater and the heated washer nozzles.

Yep. Out there in the interwebs you can find the program they follow based on ambient temps and and other factors. At least you never had to fiddle with an on/off button.

 

[KrisZ]

I actually remember the first time I dealt with the heated mirrors being linked to the defrost button. It was on my old Mazda 3. Up to that point I was used to seeing a dedicated heated mirrors button.
I remember I could not figure out how to turn them on. I even check the Monroney sticker to make sure I had that option, sure enough it did. I had to dig through the user manual to finally find that the defrost button needs to be used.

It’s a poor design decision and totally unintuitive. Basic car functions should be easy to identify without consulting the owners manual IMO.