Mirrors: Description and Operation

Rear View Mirrors

The main components of the rear view mirrors are:

- Exterior mirror control switch
- Exterior mirror glass
- Exterior mirror glass adjustment motors
- Exterior mirror housing
- Heated exterior mirror glass (optional)
- Interior auto-dimming rear view mirror
- LH exterior auto-dimming mirror glass (optional)
- Memory exterior mirrors (optional)
- Puddle lamps (optional)

For information on the puddles lamps, refer to Exterior Lighting.


Exterior Mirrors

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 rear view mirror control switch. Adjusting the exterior rear view mirror control switch to the LH or RH position determines which power mirror glass will be controlled.

Heated Exterior Mirrors

The power exterior rear view mirrors are available with a heated mirror glass feature, which heats the mirror glass to remove frost, snow, ice and condensation. The rear window defrost switch controls the operation of the heated exterior rear view mirrors. The heated exterior rear view mirrors only operate when the rear window defrost system is on.

Memory Exterior Mirrors

The memory mirror function recalls the preferred positioning of the LH and RH exterior mirror glass which is retained in the Driver Seat Module (DSM) memory. The memory mirror function is activated by the door-mounted switches or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, which are monitored by the Driver Door Module (DDM). The DDM and DSM are capable of setting a DTC for the memory mirror system when a system concern exists. For information on the DDM, refer to Multifunction Electronic Modules Testing and Inspection. For information on the DSM and Memory Position Programming, refer to Seating Description and Operation.


Interior Mirror

Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror(s)

The interior rear view and LH exterior mirror may be equipped with an auto-dimming feature. This feature automatically reduces the glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the mirror. The auto-dimming feature is activated when the ignition is in the RUN or ACC position. The interior rear view mirror adjusts the reflectance level of the interior rear view mirror and LH exterior mirror 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 rear view 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.