Principles Of Operation

Rear View Mirrors - Interior

Principles of Operation

Interior Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror

The interior auto-dimming rear view mirror automatically reduces the glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the interior rear view mirror. The auto-dimming feature is disabled when the vehicle is in REVERSE. Power is supplied to the interior auto-dimming mirror when the ignition is in the RUN position or the accessory delay is active.

The interior auto-dimming rear view mirror has 2 photoelectric sensors, a forward facing sensor and a rearward facing sensor, that detect forward and rearward light conditions. Based on these inputs, the automatic dimming feature adjusts the reflectance level of the interior rear view mirror glass to eliminate unwanted glare. The reflectance level of the mirror glass is variable and depends on the amount of rear glare in relation to ambient light conditions in front of the interior mirror.

When the forward sensor detects daytime conditions, the rearward sensor is inactive and the interior rear view mirror stays in a high reflectance mode. When the forward sensor detects nighttime conditions, the rearward sensor is active and detects glare from the headlights of vehicles approaching from the rear or other glare-producing light sources. To provide increased visibility when backing up, the interior rear view mirror will automatically return to a high reflectance mode whenever the vehicle is in REVERSE.

If the forward or rearward sensors are blocked, the interior auto-dimming rear view mirror might not work correctly.

Interior Rear View Mirror With Video Display

For vehicles that are equipped with a rear-mounted object detection camera, a video image will be displayed on the LH side of the interior rear view mirror glass when the transmission is in the REVERSE position. For information on the rear-mounted object detection system, refer to Collision Avoidance and Parking Assist Systems.