Mirrors: Description and Operation

Rear View Mirrors


Exterior Mirrors

The main components of the exterior mirrors are:

- Exterior mirror control switch
- Exterior mirror glass adjustment motors (power mirrors only)
- Exterior mirror glass
- Exterior mirror plastic housing
- Interior rear view mirror

Power Exterior Mirrors

Power mirrors allow the LH or RH exterior mirror glass to be positioned electronically. The position of the power mirror glass is controlled by the exterior mirror control switch. Adjusting the exterior mirror control switch to the LH or RH position determines which power mirror glass will be controlled.

Heated Exterior Rear View Mirrors

The exterior rear view mirrors are equipped with a heated mirror glass feature, which heats the mirror glass to remove frost, snow, ice and condensation. The Explorer/Mountaineer uses the rear window defrost switch and the Sport Trac uses the heated mirror switch to control the operation of the heated exterior rear view mirrors.


Interior Mirror

The vehicle may be equipped with one of the following interior rear view mirrors:

- Interior rear view mirror
- Interior auto-dimming rear view mirror
- Interior auto-dimming rear view mirror
- with microphone

Interior Rear View Mirror

The interior rear view mirror consists of a mirror glass and housing. The interior rear view mirror mounts to an interior rear view mirror bracket at the upper center of the windshield glass. The interior rear view mirror can be adjusted left, right, up and down using the 2 pivot points on the support arm. The interior rear view mirror can be adjusted from a day position to a night position to reduce unwanted glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the mirror. Adjusting the interior rear view mirror day/night tab, located at the bottom of the interior rear view mirror, rearward will adjust the interior mirror to the night position. Adjusting the interior rear view mirror day/night tab forward will adjust the interior mirror to the day position.

Interior Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror

The interior rear view mirror may be equipped with an auto dimming feature. The interior auto-dimming rear view mirrors feature automatically reduces the glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the interior rear view mirror. The auto-dimming feature is activated when the ignition is in the RUN or ACC position. The interior auto-dimming rear view mirror 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. 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.

The interior rear view mirror may be equipped with an integrated microphone. For microphone information or diagnostics, refer to Accessories and Optional Equipment.