Auto-dimming mirror in IV - cr@p

I bought the prisms from Anchor Optics here. I don't remember which ones I got, exactly -- I believe they were the 10x14x10 ones.

As for mounting, I used something called "dum dum" or "ribbon" sealant. It's like super sticky sticky-tac which doesn't change its elasticity, pliability or durosity due to temperature changes. I believe it's available at Napa or, if you have a good relationship with your Service Advisor, I'm sure s/he would be able to get you a piece of it from one of the mechanics -- they all have it. I used four balls, each the size of a large b.b. and just mashed everything together. It's held for over a year now with absolutely no signs of giving way whatsoever.

 

It is a horrible design. You can see the light not hitting the sensor.

 

No, it just dims the interior mirror.

 

Mine always worked fine. I'd try adjusting it.

 

The electrical tape worked brilliantly for me, cover most of the sensor on the back of the mirror and it works like it should.

 

I notice that most of you all have given up on this topic (no posts in 2012 so far). You guys probably got used to this problem and moved on. I just bought a certified 2010 Prius IV, after selling my first gen prius, and am horrified with how poorly the auto dim mirror works. I have called Toyota 3 different times and each time, they say they have never heard of this before. When I go to a dealer, they say they have received several complaints. Then, they shine a flashlight on the rearview and declare that it works great. When I tell them that the 30 odd cars that are following me on the highway don't quite come into the cabin and shine dainty flashlights in my rearview, they say "well-that mirror is a design characteristic of the car. It is not a flaw". One Service manager said that he sees this when husbands let their wives drive as the wives tend to sit closer to the steering and angle the mirror to sharply.

Can you guys just call Toyota and let them know of this problem? How about a class action lawsuit? The only manner in which I can drive my car at night now is to lower the rearview so I can't see anything in it.

 

I notice that most of you all have given up on this topic (no posts in 2012 so far). You guys probably got used to this problem and moved on. I just bought a certified 2010 Prius IV, after selling my first gen prius, and am horrified with how poorly the auto dim mirror works. I have called Toyota 3 different times and each time, they say they have never heard of this before. When I go to a dealer, they say they have received several complaints. Then, they shine a flashlight on the rearview and declare that it works great. When I tell them that the 30 odd cars that are following me on the highway don't quite come into the cabin and shine dainty flashlights in my rearview, they say "well-that mirror is a design characteristic of the car. It is not a flaw". One Service manager said that he sees this when husbands let their wives drive as the wives tend to sit closer to the steering and angle the mirror to sharply.

Can you guys just call Toyota and let them know of this problem? How about a class action lawsuit? The only manner in which I can drive my car at night now is to lower the rearview so I can't see anything in it.

 

Back when I got my 2006, this was an item of discussion. One recommendation was to rotate the mirror upside down. This puts the sensor in a better place for picking up light from behind. It only can turn one way due to wires. A search of the GenII forums will probably turn this up or you can just try one way or the other gently.

This wouldn't work for me because I use the HomeLink buttons for my garage door and home lights. I didn't want the buttons at the top and upside down. John1701a came up with a neat solution. Go to http://john1701a.com/ and look at the left side of the screen. Click on "Prius Info" and search down for "Electro Mirror Mod". He just put "sunglasses" on the forward facing sensor with a bit of transparent blue plastic. That made it way more responsive.

 

That seems like a pretty neat solution --- much better than the prisms.

The mirror in my 2004 has the same problem. I know the technology works because I have a 2010 Honda Odyssey and that mirror works much better.

I am going to try the tape fix, perhaps using gray or smoke tape rather than blue; maybe a little less of it to make this less noticeable from the outside.

I certainly hope my new 2012 doesn't suffer from the same issue. If so, I'll mod that as well, assuming the mod on the 2004 works.

 

I tried this and got mixed results. I used four sandwiched of pieces of exposed 35mm negative film and taped over the front facing sensor. The mirror seemed to darken much quicker, but was still inconsistent on when it would darken. I think this is really more of a function of the rear spoiler blocking the light to the mirror.

But the wierd thing was driving around today and the mirror stayed dimmed the entire time. I removed two of the layers and the mirror returned to normal for daylight operation. I'll try driving around at night in this configuration to see if this helps things out.

I'd be curious to see the heights of those of you who say the mirror is working fine, because I think you may be able to adjust the angle of the mirror that makes the rear spoiler less of a problem than for those of us "sub-6 footers".