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Auto-dimming mirror in IV - cr@p

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by mmcdonal, Apr 4, 2011.

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  1. mmcdonal

    mmcdonal Active Member

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    Is it me, or is the auto-dimming feature an engineering fail?

    In morning traffic (in the dark mostly for me) it never dims (yes, it is turned on). I think my headlights reflecting off the chrome in front of me (slow bumper to bumper, yes) prevent the mirror from dimming (not enough light differential.) (Was that parenthetical enough?)

    Is there a flip mirror out there that I can replace this thing with? Those were simple. I didn't even realize it was an inconvenience in the first place that required an automated solution.

    IMHO, the auto-dimming mirror is another answer to a question nobody asked, like the Segway.
     
    #1 mmcdonal, Apr 4, 2011
  2. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    Have you tried adjusting the position of the mirror? I had a similar situation after I added the autodimming mirror to my Prius. Seems the headlights shining in the rear window seemed to miss the sensor, but hit the mirror just perfect! Try adjusting the physical location of the mirror either up or down a bit to see if you can get the headlights to hit the sensor straight on, it will dim just fine then. Mine does anyway...

    If you really want the manual flip mirror, I'm sure there is a 2 (II) or 3 (III) owner on here who would be happy to trade you thiers for an autodimming mirror!
     
    #2 Paul58, Apr 4, 2011
  3. J5A

    J5A Active Member

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    Agreed on lousy.
    I've been wondering if the autodimming feature worked at all. The headlights seem to be just slightly greener, and not darker. It's definitely a Toyota fail item I wish they got right.
     
    #3 J5A, Apr 4, 2011
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is night time different? personally, i don't think they darken headlights as well as the flip type.10 years ago, i was excited to get one on my taurus and my wife has one on her hycam. i like my flip better.
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 4, 2011
  5. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The mirror works fine (or at least to my satisfaction) on a Silver. Your problem might be that Blizzard Pearl color.:D

    I haven't noticed any operational difference in slow or stopped traffic in the dark. Perhaps the aftermarket install isn't 100%.
     
    #5 JimN, Apr 4, 2011
  6. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    They work, but not very well. They take too long to dim. After a minute, yes, everything looks green and it is fine.
     
    #6 Eoin, Apr 5, 2011
  7. EVPrii

    EVPrii New Member

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    Mine works great! I love it when I look back and see headlights trying to blind me, but they are thwarted by my auto-dimming mirror. It's probably one of my favorite features on my Prius!

    Of course, I have also yet to experience any of the other common complaints (road noise, rattles, bumpy ride, etc). I guess I got lucky and have one of the few (only?) perfect Prii...
     
    #7 EVPrii, Apr 5, 2011
  8. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    Mine works very well...after I modified the "position" of the light sensor. Cost me less than $10 total. I'll take a photo tonight & post it. My physics teacher in high school would be proud.
     
    #8 chrisj428, Apr 5, 2011
  9. voltoy

    voltoy Junior Member

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    Another thing you can try, cover the sensor on the windshield side of the mirror with Black electrical tape. Then it will thing it is dark outside and may work better for you.
     
    #9 voltoy, Apr 5, 2011
    2 people like this.
  10. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    Its been crppy for me
     
    #10 peterjmc, Apr 5, 2011
  11. Troyroy

    Troyroy Member

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    I don't have the auto dimming mirror......but I do have one of those uncommon Prius.......no complaints with ours.

    Love it !!!!!!!!!!! :rockon:
     
    #11 Troyroy, Apr 5, 2011
  12. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    The low-quality autodim mirror is the first thing I noticed. My previous Honda autodim mirror worked perfectly. I guess I'm used to the glare now....
     
    #12 jhinsc, Apr 5, 2011
  13. car78412

    car78412 Member

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    My auto-dimming mirror does'nt work at all. I get blinded everytime I drive at night when someone is behind me. Maybe I should wear my sun glasses. This is the only thing I do not like about the Prius.
     
    #13 car78412, Apr 6, 2011
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    lol. It's most likely the same mirror (Gentex) as the one in your Accord. The only reason why it works in your Accord is because there isn't a rear spoiler right at the height of the sensor, confusing the sensor and blocking the headlights of the car behind

    Yes, the rear spoiler helps block the headlights but it also doesn't allow the mirror to work at its best. The same mirror in the Camry with a normal rear window works wonders. I'm sure we won't hear the same complains from Prius v owners because they won't have the split window setup.

    The auto-dimming mirror is awesome but it's the application in the Prius that works poorly. The reason is that the rear spoiler is at a height such that the headlights from the car behind doesn't hit the light sensor on the mirror directly but rather it's receiving scattered light or it's blocked completely. The same mirror in a car with a normal rear window without the split window setup in the Prius will work as advertised. Try it in any other Toyota.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Apr 6, 2011
  15. EVPrii

    EVPrii New Member

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    Am I the only one with a working mirror?

    I'll sell it for $10,000 to anyone who wants it. j/k

    I did buy my Prius as a Certified Pre-Owned car from Toyota, so maybe the guy who onwed it before me tweaked it until it worked correctly. I have yet to be blinded by anyone. It's as if my mirror puts on it's own pair of sun glasses without giving up any vision. One of the better inventions in car history, I must admit...:cool:
     
    #15 EVPrii, Apr 6, 2011
  16. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    As promised -- my easy fix! Two 90° prisms secured with some dum-dum. Been on there for well over a year without incident. After the first week, you forget it's there. Effectively "moves" the light sensor's pickup location about 1cm upward, which is just enough to clear the shadow created by the rear spoiler. Couldn't be happier!
     

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    #16 chrisj428, Apr 6, 2011
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  17. tomlouie

    tomlouie Member

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    Those sharp prism edges will hurt so much if you're ever in a collision. Ow ow ow.
     
    #17 tomlouie, Apr 7, 2011
  18. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    Well, two things to consider, Tom:

    1) The "putty" used to affix the prisms is malleable; so with a minimum of force, they will be deflected from their position.

    2) If, God forbid, I'm ever in a collision severe enough to move me that far out of a seat-belted and air bag-restrained position, hitting a 1cm prism is probably going to be the least of my worries.
     
    #18 chrisj428, Apr 7, 2011
  19. lindajm22

    lindajm22 New Member

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    Does the auto-dimming mirror in the Prius also dim the driver's outside door mirror? This is how it worked in the Chrysler Pacifica that I just traded in for my Prius. I've been thinking about getting the auto mirror and just wondering what the limitations are.
     
    #19 lindajm22, May 16, 2011
  20. mmcdonal

    mmcdonal Active Member

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    I like the explanation that it is due to the spoiler that the mirror doesn't work well. I didn't like it on my 2007 Camry hybrid, however. That had side dimming mirrors as well, which worked okay. No side dimming on the Prius, though.

    Chrisj428, where could one get one of thse prisms, and what are you using to affix it? I didn't understand that part.
     
    #20 mmcdonal, May 16, 2011
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