Principles of Operation
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONExterior Rear View Mirror
Power exterior rear view mirrors allow the LH or RH exterior mirrors to be automatically or manually positioned. The positions of the mirrors are controlled by the exterior mirror control switch. Adjusting the exterior mirror control switch to the LH or RH position determines which mirror will be controlled. The exterior rear view mirrors are available with a heated glass option.
Heated Exterior Rear View Mirror
Power is supplied to the heated exterior rear view mirrors by the heated rear window relay through a separate central junction box (CJB) fuse that isolates the heated mirrors from the rear window defrost in the event of a concern.
Auto-Dimming Interior Rear View Mirror
The interior rear view mirror may be equipped with an auto-dimming option. This feature automatically reduces the glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the mirror. The auto-dimming feature is disabled when the vehicle is in REVERSE. Power is supplied to the auto-dimming interior mirror when the ignition is in the RUN or ACC position.
The auto-dimming feature has 2 photoelectric sensors that detect forward and rear light conditions, and based on those inputs, adjusts the reflectance level of the 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 mirror.
When the forward sensor detects daytime conditions, the rear sensor is inactive, and the mirror stays in a high reflectance mode. When the forward sensor detects night-time conditions, the rear 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 mirror will automatically return to a high reflectance mode whenever the shifter is placed in REVERSE.
If the forward or rear sensors are blocked, the auto-dimming interior mirror might not work correctly.