Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror

Wiganken · 09-12-2007, 09:35

The performance of the auto-dimming rear view mirror in my 54 plate Elegance is disappointing. I have tested it, with green light ON and covering up the forward sensor with thick tape and shining a torch into the mirror. It does dim somewhat so it does work but it doesn’t dim as much as I would like. I know the performance is variable dependant on the ambient light conditions detected by the forward facing sensor but I drive in the dark quite a bit and the dimming is definitely poor when I compare what I see in the mirror with what I see in the non-dimming door mirrors. Even when it does dim (sometimes it doesn’t) it only seems to turn the glare green rather than reducing it. It is nowhere near as good as the manual tipping type.
Is this a fault or something I have to live with or can the amount of dimming be tweaked somewhere?

Thanks

yashicamat · 09-12-2007, 09:48

That perhaps sounds a bit faulty to me? Mine dims at night, variably how quickly depending on how bright (and how close) the person behind me is. It is green when it's in it "transitional state" between normal and fully dimmed, but once it's dimmed right down there's no color hue visible anymore.
If I were you, wait until it's dark and get a mate to park up behind you and put his headlights on (from a normal driving distance) and see how it reacts so you have a controlled situation to test it.

Hope this helps.

**GAFF** · 09-12-2007, 09:51

I think the position of your rear middle headrest doesn't help, maybe take it out for a test.

IIRC I have mine really low, although have notice the mirror a little blinding of late.

yashicamat · 09-12-2007, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAFF

I think the position of your rear middle headrest doesn't help, maybe take it out for a test.

IIRC I have mine really low, although have notice the mirror a little blinding of late.

That's a thought . . . I have my middle headrest as low as it'll go as I can't remember the last time I had to take 5 in my car, but if it's up at "normal" height then that could be a factor.

**GAFF** · 09-12-2007, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by yashicamat

but if it's up at "normal" height then that could be a factor.

It was definitely a factor in mine when I got it

gillywibble · 09-12-2007, 11:02

Mine works fine. I think the test is 'can you look at the cars behind you without it hurting your eyes?' and I can honestly answer yes.

Wiganken · 09-12-2007, 11:22

My middle rear headrest is as low as it will go so that can't be the problem. I think Yashicamat might be right in that it's faulty. The answer to Gillywibble's question is "Only for a brief glance". If I stare at the glare then it is a problem so I am sure it isn't dimming enough.

dstev2000 · 09-12-2007, 12:30

I've tested the auto dimming mirror in the Octavia during the day before and i've never been able to get it as dark as when it's working properly at night. See if you can conduct a test at night with another car's main beam.

I would have to follow the general consensus and say your mirror is faulty, they usually go really dark when dazzled from behind. It would be good to see a test mode for the mirror but to my knowledge there isn't one.

JPF · 10-12-2007, 02:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiganken

the dimming is definitely poor when I compare what I see in the mirror with what I see in the non-dimming door mirrors.

Strange in my car the door mirrors also dim.
And the dimming is fantastic, it even responds to the fog lights of the rear car (those who insist on using them in clear nights)

vimto2000 · 10-12-2007, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPF

Strange in my car the door mirrors also dim.
And the dimming is fantastic, it even responds to the fog lights of the rear car (those who insist on using them in clear nights)

You probably have the L&K Pre April 2007 then!

That is the same with mine! The didn't do it on any other model, and they've taken it off the new L&K.

Very expensive to replace if broken etc hence I constantly fold my wing mirrors in!

dstev2000 · 10-12-2007, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by vimto2000

You probably have the L&K Pre April 2007 then!

That is the same with mine! The didn't do it on any other model, and they've taken it off the new L&K.

Very expensive to replace if broken etc hence I constantly fold my wing mirrors in!

That peed me right off when I discovered they dropped the auto dimming door mirrors for blue tinted ones which IMO are crap.

gainas · 10-12-2007, 19:01

do any body knows about aftermarket exhaust for octavia 1.8 tsi

dstev2000 · 10-12-2007, 20:01

If it's chrome tipped exhaust trims you are after, the official Skoda accessories site has a few available.

?koda Accessories

If you want more replies to this you would probably be better off starting a new thread on the subject, this way more people will see your question and you will be more likely to get better answers

jaripetteri · 18-12-2007, 11:21

Would it be possible to retrofit auto dimming for door mirrors?

bryan · 18-12-2007, 12:44

I noticed in my Superb, with the dimming turned on sit in the car at night and turn on the interior lighting - the mirrow went so dark you could not see yourself in it.

Then turn off the dimming and you should see yourself appear clearly - an easy way to check its operation with no need for a second car

09-12-2007, 09:35	#1
Wiganken Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror The performance of the auto-dimming rear view mirror in my 54 plate Elegance is disappointing. I have tested it, with green light ON and covering up the forward sensor with thick tape and shining a torch into the mirror. It does dim somewhat so it does work but it doesn’t dim as much as I would like. I know the performance is variable dependant on the ambient light conditions detected by the forward facing sensor but I drive in the dark quite a bit and the dimming is definitely poor when I compare what I see in the mirror with what I see in the non-dimming door mirrors. Even when it does dim (sometimes it doesn’t) it only seems to turn the glare green rather than reducing it. It is nowhere near as good as the manual tipping type. Is this a fault or something I have to live with or can the amount of dimming be tweaked somewhere? Thanks

09-12-2007, 09:48	#2
yashicamat Ah ah ah . . no Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire Posts: 2,626 Thanks: 34 Thanked 31 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror That perhaps sounds a bit faulty to me? Mine dims at night, variably how quickly depending on how bright (and how close) the person behind me is. It is green when it's in it "transitional state" between normal and fully dimmed, but once it's dimmed right down there's no color hue visible anymore. If I were you, wait until it's dark and get a mate to park up behind you and put his headlights on (from a normal driving distance) and see how it reacts so you have a controlled situation to test it. Hope this helps. __________________ Rob Nissan Primera GT in Silver '56 Octy 2 2.0TDi Elegance . . . also gone but not forgotten 2002 Fabia 1.9TDi . . . . gone but not forgotten http://uk.youtube.com/yashicamatonline

09-12-2007, 09:51	#3
GAFF Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 5,745 Thanks: 24 Thanked 64 Times in 62 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror I think the position of your rear middle headrest doesn't help, maybe take it out for a test. IIRC I have mine really low, although have notice the mirror a little blinding of late. __________________ GAFF Briskoda Ireland Events, Meets & Pictures.....Race Blue Octavia MkII vRS.....Old Octavia MkI vRS

09-12-2007, 11:02	#6
gillywibble Cuthbert Dibble Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Watching Tom peeping at Lady Godiva. Posts: 6,180 Thanks: 217 Thanked 205 Times in 168 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror Mine works fine. I think the test is 'can you look at the cars behind you without it hurting your eyes?' and I can honestly answer yes. __________________ I drink, therefore I spam.

09-12-2007, 11:22	#7
Wiganken Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror My middle rear headrest is as low as it will go so that can't be the problem. I think Yashicamat might be right in that it's faulty. The answer to Gillywibble's question is "Only for a brief glance". If I stare at the glare then it is a problem so I am sure it isn't dimming enough.

09-12-2007, 12:30	#8
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,829 Thanks: 38 Thanked 151 Times in 137 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror I've tested the auto dimming mirror in the Octavia during the day before and i've never been able to get it as dark as when it's working properly at night. See if you can conduct a test at night with another car's main beam. I would have to follow the general consensus and say your mirror is faulty, they usually go really dark when dazzled from behind. It would be good to see a test mode for the mirror but to my knowledge there isn't one. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

10-12-2007, 19:01	#12
gainas Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror do any body knows about aftermarket exhaust for octavia 1.8 tsi

10-12-2007, 20:01	#13
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,829 Thanks: 38 Thanked 151 Times in 137 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror If it's chrome tipped exhaust trims you are after, the official Skoda accessories site has a few available. ?koda Accessories If you want more replies to this you would probably be better off starting a new thread on the subject, this way more people will see your question and you will be more likely to get better answers __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

18-12-2007, 11:21	#14
jaripetteri Briskodian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 11 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror Would it be possible to retrofit auto dimming for door mirrors?

18-12-2007, 12:44	#15
bryan Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cork City, Ireland Posts: 918 Thanks: 9 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror I noticed in my Superb, with the dimming turned on sit in the car at night and turn on the interior lighting - the mirrow went so dark you could not see yourself in it. Then turn off the dimming and you should see yourself appear clearly - an easy way to check its operation with no need for a second car

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