Learn All About Car Door Mirror

If you have observed a car from outside you have definitely seen the car door mirror. It is probably one of the most eye-catching features of any vehicle. The side view mirror is also known as a side view mirror, as it allows the driver to observe the area on the side of the vehicle. With just a glance at it, the driver can get an idea of the surroundings of that area. Some mirrors can be adjusted manually to adjust to the height and comfort of the driver, while some can be remotely adjustable via a switch inside the vehicle.

Two mirrors are present on either side to give view of both sides, this assists in safer driving and more awareness of surroundings. The mirror on the right is often convex, so that it can provide a wide-angle view. The side view mirrors may also come with features like; auto-dimming, defrosting, and auto-adjusting. In some vehicles the mirror adjustments are memorized by the ECU so that it changes as per the requirement of the driver if there are multiple drivers using the same vehicle.

You may have heard people call the side view mirror as wing mirror too, as it folds in and located on the car's front wing. Mirrors of cars are also mounted in other places for helping the driver look beyond his peripheral vision like fenders, front windshield, and hood (for buses and larger vehicles)

The rear-view mirror is undoubtedly the most famous and well-known mirrors used by drivers in a vehicle. However, there are a few different types of car mirrors available. For regular usage you may not need mirrors apart from the ones installed in your vehicle. But having some extra mirrors may help if your vehicle has a blind spot. Here are some of the car door mirrors:

1. The Rear-View Mirror - This mirror needs to introduction and the name suggests it’s purpose as well. This mirror is located above the dashboard and helps you to see the objects behind, be it in the vehicle itself or outside. It is crucial when moving in reverse and helps before changing lanes.
2. Side View Mirrors - These are found in all vehicles and are present on both sides of the vehicle. They help the driver see vehicles which are approaching from the side of the car, and help in eliminating blind spots. These are also referred to as door, side or fender mirrors.

the job of the side view mirror is to help increase the visual field of the driver. The mirror is thus adjusted in such a manner that the driver is able to have a clear view of the side as well as the rear of the vehicle as well as the area surrounding it. Each of the two mirrors have to be adjusted so the driver has a clear picture of as much of the side and rear of the vehicle as possible. The rear view mirror present on the windshield as well as the side view mirrors should be able to provide viewing area in all but the two blind spots. In order to get a view of the blind spots, the driver may have to look over each shoulder, improvements in technology are working on ways to eliminate this issue. Video cameras and onboard video screen support this.

Like every part of your vehicle, the mirrors too are susceptible to problems. Car mirrors can get damaged due to many reasons, the most common one being the breaking of the mirror housing and the mirror dangling by the wires. At times the mirror inside the housing falls out if a large blow or jolting has been experienced by the vehicle. In other cases, it could be the electronics in the mirror which has failed and aren’t adjusting the mirror as needed or have gotten heated up. The mirror itself can also crack due to collision or external forces. Keeping the side mirrors closed helps from keeping them safe while in parking, especially in crowded spaces.

You will know if the mirror is not going to function to serve its purposes by noticing some symptoms, we have listed these down for you:

1. Car Mirror Glass Is Broken - This is probably the most common of symptoms. The side view mirror may be broken or the glass has cracked. Anything solid which strikes the mirror can cause it to break, which will negatively impact the reflective surface of the mirror. Depending on how severe the damage was, this may affect the driver’s ability to see using that mirror. This is posing as a safety hazard.
2. Mirror Does Not Move Or Cannot Be Adjusted - Also, another common symptom, is when the side view mirror is not able to move or be adjusted as needed by the driver. A big chunk of modern vehicles has some internal mechanism which helps in adjusting the position of the mirror so that the best visibility can be achieved by the driver. Some use mechanical levels, and other use electric motors along with switches. If the motors or mechanism supporting this fail, then adjusting the mirror becomes difficult or even impossible. Even though the presence of the mirror may help the driver to view some amount of the road, but not the whole area. The problem will hence have to be fixed in order to make full use of the mirror.
3. Mirror Heater Does Not Function - Heated mirrors are a symptom of potential issues with the side view mirrors. This makes them dysfunctional. Few vehicles come with inbuilt heaters present in the mirror, this heater will be able to remove the cold and also prevent condensation from forming on the mirror. Which will enable the driver to be able to see even if it’s foggy or humid, or wet outside. In case the heater has failed, the mirror may become obstructed by the condensation and not allow clear visibility to the driver.

Are you thinking of repairing your car’ side view Mirror on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your car side view mirror. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work: -

• Boxed end wrenches
• Clear silicone
• Mineral spirits cleaner
• Needle nose pliers
• Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
• Torques bit set
• Cross tip screwdriver
• Disposable gloves
• Electrical cleaner
• Flat tip screwdriver
• Lisle door tool

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some of the top brands for side view mirrors

There might be a big-picture overview of side view mirror in your mind, and now it’s time to look at its related components.

• Wing Mirror Covers
• Wing mirror repeater lamps
• Complete Wing Mirrors (incl. cover, mirror glass and interior housing)
• Stick-on Wing Mirror Glass
• Replacement mirror glass and backing

I bet that you’re thinking as to how much does a side view mirror replacement cost. Just keep in mind that it is not as easy as putting a fast and hard number on it. This is because the replacement/repair cost would be different for every car Door Mirror and it would also vary depending on how in-depth the repair needs to be. If you are thinking about the exact cost, then you might take help of an expert mechanic. Labor costs can be estimated to lie between $37 and $47 while parts are priced at $991 approximately.

Here are the ways in which you can change your car door mirrors easily:

Step 1 - Take off the broken side view mirror

Get hold of the plastic pry bar and get behind the wing mirror. Watch out for any broken glass and be safe. You will need to apply moderate effort to be able to pop off the clips of the mirror. In case you have heated mirrors or the ones that have turn signals built into them, you will have to first unplug the wires connected to the mirror. Now you can pry off the broken wing mirror.

Step 2 - Inspect the clips and tabs

These clips will be slightly different in different vehicles. You can refer your vehicle's manual for more precise information. Ensure that all the tabs or clips on the mounting plate are in good shape. In case they are not you will have to order a new part to replace them. You will be able to find replacement mirrors from any car parts dealers, but the mounting plate will most likely have to be purchased from the dealer only.

Step 3 - Line up tabs

In case you are installing mirrors, which have turn signal repeaters built in, or any heater elements, you will have to reattach the wires to the mirror first. Once that is sorted you can now line up the taps and clips, gently move the mirror into its correct position on the mounting plate.

Step 4 - Fix wing mirror in its place

Be firm and press the mirror, the clips should snap into place with an audible click. Be sure to confirm this prying with your fingers.

Step 5 - Clean And Readjust Mirror

It is important to perform this step right after installation. Simply adjust the mirror to your desired angles and clean off any fingerprints or smudges that may have come on the mirror during installation.