Know More About Car's Rear View Mirror

Looking for information about the rear view car mirror? Then you have arrived at just the right place. All the cars have a rearview mirror present inside the vehicle that serves the purpose of reflecting the view out of the rear window of the road behind. They play this critical role of determining when it’s safe to make a lane change. They are invaluable for the information they provide about everything that’s there in the car’s immediate vicinity. Although a number of people put the mirror of their car only for backing up, but Parts Avatar recommends you to utilize it completely like while turning around. Also, using these car mirrors, you can always keep a check on the pedestrians or people riding cycles for safety purposes too.

Want to know more? Parts Avatar at your service! Here’s everything you need to know about the functioning of the rear view car mirrors:

The rear view car mirror is a mechanism that enables the driver to clearly see rearward. Generally, it can be located at the top of windscreen inside the cabin. Although, one of the most basic, this mechanism is highly essential keeping the safety point of view. It aids in assisting the driver while overtaking, parking in reverse gear etc. You can observe that the vehicles have a pair of mirrors connected to the body from outside itself. In popular terms, they are referred to as ‘side mirrors’ or the outer rear view car mirrors (ORVM) that play the same role. Also, an anchor helps in keeping the rear view car mirror to the windscreen with a special type of joint known as the swivel joint. This further enables the driver to smoothly adjust the car mirror as per his/her seating position. The automakers nowadays use convex lens while manufacturing the car mirrors as compared to the plain glass that was used previously.

There are a number of benefits that are served by the rear view car mirror that include:

The rear view car mirror serves the purpose of viewing anything that is there in the car’s immediate vicinity. It is a wide rectangular mirror that can be located above the car's dashboard.

So here we have listed all the symptoms that should be noted carefully as they indicate a possible malfunction in the rearview car mirror:

You can find the rearview car mirror on the upper part of the windshield on the vehicle. It reflects the view that is right behind the vehicle and determines the right time to make a lane change or see other cars around the vehicle. It plays an essential role when it comes to the safety of the driver and the vehicle itself. The latest models nowadays have an auto dimming mirror that automatically dims so that the light does not reflect in the eyes from the other vehicles. This proves to be really helpful on sunny days. The car mirror tends to last a lifetime of the vehicle. Although at times a few things damage the mirror.

1. Auto dimming fails to work - If in case the auto dimming feature fails to work, the sensors may be switched off. You can find a number of sensors on the back of the car mirror. You should locate them and clean them using a soft cloth so that there are no scratches left. Ensure that there is nothing blocking the light from the sensors. Shine a flashlight on the sensors after cleaning them to check if the mirror dims. If it fails, then a replacement should be performed.
2. Discoloration - With the passage of time, sun and other dirt that touches the rearview car mirror leads to discoloration. Try using a soft cloth to clean if you notice this happening. At times, discoloration in below the surface of the mirror as well. If the discoloration fails to fade, you should replace it.
3. No Rearview Car Mirror at all - A number of times accidents tend to destroy the rearview car mirrors completely. It might break off or fall completely off its mount. In such cases you should replace it with a new one. Note that a number of states have laws needing a rearview car mirror, so prior to any replacement we advise you to go through these laws well.

If you want to repair your Rear View Car Mirror all by yourself, then let’s face it that you will need some auto body tools. You can always start by building your own tool chest. Searching for some tools needed to repair your Rear View Car Mirror Don’t Worry! We are here to help you out. Here are some common tools that you will probably end up needing while repairing your rear view car mirror:

• Allen wrench set
• Clear silicone
• Crosstip screwdriver
• Disposable gloves
• Electrical cleaner
• Flat tip screwdriver
• Permanent marker
• Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
• Torque bit set
• Wheel chocks

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 rear view car mirror:

Cipa USA Rear View Mirror

Do you want to know the related parts of the rear view car mirror? Don’t worry! Parts Avatar Canada is here at your service:

• ATV & UTV Mirror
• Mirror Bracket

Willing to perform the replacement of the rear view car mirror? All you got to do is follow these simple steps:

A rearview car mirror serves this important purpose of determining the right time to make a lane shift. They are available in standard size in multiple designs that help a lot in enhancing the appearance of the vehicle. The types usually include standard DOT, wide DOT, wide with deflector DOT, custom symbol cut, custom cab fit (fits all the way across the cab), wide bus DOT, and electric DOT. Well, the pickup trucks too have these rear view car mirrors as well. It is usable in them when they are used as passenger trucks. The DOT (department of transportation) rated car mirrors are certified for vehicle use at all times and are mostly installed by the manufacturer for safety purposes. On the other hand, a number of other rear view car mirrors that are not DOT certified tend to adversely interfere with the driver's vision and are a threat to their judgement.

It is important for a rear view car mirror to stay on the windshield, as if there isn't one, it can be really dangerous for vehicle operation. Also, rear view car mirrors that are cracks or have faded glare deflector should be replaced immediately.

Inspecting the door mirror condition

Step 1: Find the rearview car mirror that is broken/cracked: For that you should visually inspect the rear view car mirror for any kind of exterior damage. Also, the electronically adjusted mirrors should be tilted in all directions to see if there are any obstructions binding the mechanism within the car’s mirror. In case of other mirrors, feel the glass to check if it is loose and can move around or if the housing can move around.

Step 2: Locate the mirror adjusting switch on the electronic rear view car mirrors: Now you should move the selector or push on the buttons to check functioning of the electronics present on the mirror mechanics.

Step 3: Make sure that the buttons work: The car mirrors that have a clock, radio, or temperature, the buttons should be checked to see if they function correctly.

Park Your Vehicle On A Flat, Hard Surface

Step 4: Position the wheel chocks around tires: You should engage the parking brake to lock the rear tires from moving.

Step 5: A nine-volt battery saver should be installed into the cigarette lighter: This aids in keeping the computer live and the setting current in the vehicle. Also, it’s completely fine if you don’t have a nine-volt battery saver.

Step 6: The battery should be disconnected: Now open the vehicle’s hood to disconnect the battery. The ground cable should be taken off of the battery’s negative post. This will disable the power to the vehicle. This can be done on the standard DOT, wide DOT, wide with deflector DOT, and custom design mirrors:

Step 7: The mounting screws should be unscrewed: Now you need to unscrew it from the base of the mirror that is connected to the windshield. Carefully take out the screw out the car mirror.

Step 8: The mirror should be lifted up off of the mounting plate: This should be done on the electric DOT mirrors:

Step 9: The harness plug should be removed from the car mirror: Using an electrical cleaner, clean the harness and all the moisture or debris should be removed.

Step 10: A blow dryer or even a heat gun to heat up the mounting plate should be used: If the mounting plate is warm to the touch, you should move it back and forth. After sometime, the mounting plate will come off.

Step 11: Register the original position of the car mirror: Do this before removing all of the adhesive. A grease pencil or permanent marker should be used to mark the original location of the mirror. It is good to make a mark on the outside of the glass so that it is not removed while cleaning off the adhesive.

Step 12: A razor scraper should be used to remove the remaining glue from the glass: Position the edge of the blade on the glass and continue scraping until you find the surface to be smooth again. Then the mounting plate should be left attached inside the bracket on the mirror. All the adhesive should be removed using a scraper.

Step 13: Clean the dust: Using a wet a lint-free cloth along with isopropyl alcohol, wipe the inside of the glass to remove any dust remaining after the adhesive has been scrapped. Then allow the alcohol to evaporate completely before moving onto attaching a mirror to the glass.

Step 14: Unscrew the mounting screws: Again, unscrew these from the base of the car mirror connecting to the cab. The screws should be taken out of the mirror housing.

Step 15: The mirror should be removed: Remove the gaskets.

Step 16: Get adhesive from the rearview car mirror adhesive kit: Now you should apply the adhesive to the back of the mounting plate. Position the mounting plate on the area of the glass where you marked it.

Step 17: Gently press on the mounting plate to seat the glue: By doing this the glue will get heated up and all the air will be removed. This can be done on standard DOT, wide DOT, wide with deflector DOT, and custom design mirrors:

Step 18: The mirror should be placed onto the mounting plate: Now you should slide the mirror into place so that it fits firmly and does not move at all.

Step 19: The mounting screws should be installed into the base of the mirror with clear silicone: Tighten the screw.

Step 20: The mirror should be positioned onto the mounting plate: Carefully slide the mirror into place where it can fit firmly and does not move.

Step 21: The harness should be installed onto the mirror plug: Ensure that the lock clicks into the right place.

Step 22: The mounting screws should be installed into the base of the mirror using clear silicone: Tighten the screw on the custom cab fit and bus DOT mirrors

Step 23: The mirror and gaskets (if any) should be installed onto the cab: You need to screw in the mounting screws using clear silicone into the base of the mirror that connects it to the cab.

Step 24: The mounting screws should be tightened: The car mirror and the gaskets should be removed (if there are any).

Step 25: The ground cable should be connected again back onto the battery’s negative post: The nine-volt battery saver should be removed from the cigarette lighter.

Step 26: The battery clamp should be tightened: Make sure that the connection is good.

Part 3 Of 3: The rear view mirror should be tested

Step 1: You should move the mirror in all directions to check and ensure proper movement: The car mirror glass should be inspected to make sure that it is tight and clean.

For electric DOT mirrors:

Step 2: The adjusting switch should be adjusted in all directions: Inspect the glass to make sure it is fastened properly to the motor in the mirror housing.