rear view mirror

Skimax

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Location
White mts, NH
TDI
97 B4 variant(retired at 330K), 2000 B5 1.8T passat retired, 2013 SE (buyback5/17) 2015 SEL, 2015 E-Golf SEL sold March 2019, 2018 Volt LT and a 2007 PRHT MX5 for fun
Anybody else around that doesn't like the "self dimming" inside rear view mirror? That is the worst feature on our 15 SEL Passat TDI, IMO and we have one in our 2015 eGolf SEL too, we hate them. When did we get so lazy we can't reach up and flick the tab at the bottom of a mirror? I'm sure it cost more to make these useless mirrors too. I still reach up and tilt it upwards when driving at night. Anybody know if it can be replaced with a "normal" one?
 

Jetta_Pilot

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 14, 2005
Location
West Hill, Ont.
TDI
2015 Passat Highline TDI Candy White (SEL Premium) long gone 2002 Jetta TDI
I've lived decades with the old style flip mirror.
I LOVE the auto dimming feature !
One less thing to worry about
.
 

Skimax

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Location
White mts, NH
TDI
97 B4 variant(retired at 330K), 2000 B5 1.8T passat retired, 2013 SE (buyback5/17) 2015 SEL, 2015 E-Golf SEL sold March 2019, 2018 Volt LT and a 2007 PRHT MX5 for fun
I've lived decades with the old style flip mirror.
I LOVE the auto dimming feature !
One less thing to worry about
.
I'd love them too if they worked, I'm blinded way too often by cars behind me.
 

amafrank

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Location
USA
TDI
'06 TDi jetta, '09 TDi jetta wagon, 15 TDi GSw
I don't mind flipping the tab on the rearview but I wish I had one for the side mirrors. Thats the ones I want auto dimming.

Frank
 

Skimax

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Location
White mts, NH
TDI
97 B4 variant(retired at 330K), 2000 B5 1.8T passat retired, 2013 SE (buyback5/17) 2015 SEL, 2015 E-Golf SEL sold March 2019, 2018 Volt LT and a 2007 PRHT MX5 for fun
I don't mind flipping the tab on the rearview but I wish I had one for the side mirrors. Thats the ones I want auto dimming.

Frank
agree 100%
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
Anybody else around that doesn't like the "self dimming" inside rear view mirror? That is the worst feature on our 15 SEL Passat TDI, IMO and we have one in our 2015 eGolf SEL too, we hate them. When did we get so lazy we can't reach up and flick the tab at the bottom of a mirror? I'm sure it cost more to make these useless mirrors too. I still reach up and tilt it upwards when driving at night. Anybody know if it can be replaced with a "normal" one?
I have a normal mirror off our MK7 Alltrack with manual dimming, prob wouldn't work on the Passat mounting though.

Also you're argument could be said by other people about crank windows, AC, AM radios with FM tuning capability, heated seats, power steering, power seats, power mirrors, auto headlights, auto cancel turn signals, multiple speed wiper settings.

You drive an SEL and complain about upscale features, hehehe :D
 

Skimax

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Location
White mts, NH
TDI
97 B4 variant(retired at 330K), 2000 B5 1.8T passat retired, 2013 SE (buyback5/17) 2015 SEL, 2015 E-Golf SEL sold March 2019, 2018 Volt LT and a 2007 PRHT MX5 for fun
I have a normal mirror off our MK7 Alltrack with manual dimming, prob wouldn't work on the Passat mounting though.

Also you're argument could be said by other people about crank windows, AC, AM radios with FM tuning capability, heated seats, power steering, power seats, power mirrors, auto headlights, auto cancel turn signals, multiple speed wiper settings.

You drive an SEL and complain about upscale features, hehehe :D
Yeah but all those other items don't cause me to be blinded from behind. Beside I consider the self dumbing mirror to be downscale personally, we paid for and enjoy the other features. If it worked fine but it don't.
 
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Fixmy59bug

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2009
Location
Las Vegas, NV
TDI
2015 Passat TDI SE
Maybe something is wrong with it?

I love my self dimming mirror. It takes no more than 3 seconds to dim if a car (or more likely a truck) is behind me with their headlights in my mirror.

Is the green light on the front of the mirror on? Maybe it accidentally got turned off.
 

Skimax

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Location
White mts, NH
TDI
97 B4 variant(retired at 330K), 2000 B5 1.8T passat retired, 2013 SE (buyback5/17) 2015 SEL, 2015 E-Golf SEL sold March 2019, 2018 Volt LT and a 2007 PRHT MX5 for fun
Maybe something is wrong with it?

I love my self dimming mirror. It takes no more than 3 seconds to dim if a car (or more likely a truck) is behind me with their headlights in my mirror.

Is the green light on the front of the mirror on? Maybe it accidentally got turned off.
yes it is on, it does "dim" somewhat but the glare is still distracting unlike it was in out 13SE with the old style mirror that we sold back to buy the 15SEL
 
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740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
Our '12SE with Nav and roof has the same mirror as our '15 SEL.

I'm sure you could find someone to trade mirrors with you.
 

LeeM

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2003
Location
Hagerstown,MD
TDI
2015 Passat SE, 2002 Jetta Reflex Silver
My 2013 SE had an auto dimming mirror; which IMO did not dim sufficiently. My 2015 SE has a manual mirror and is much more comfortable for my eyes, particularly when being followed by a pickup truck or full sized SUV.
 

Skimax

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2001
Location
White mts, NH
TDI
97 B4 variant(retired at 330K), 2000 B5 1.8T passat retired, 2013 SE (buyback5/17) 2015 SEL, 2015 E-Golf SEL sold March 2019, 2018 Volt LT and a 2007 PRHT MX5 for fun
My 2013 SE had an auto dimming mirror; which IMO did not dim sufficiently. My 2015 SE has a manual mirror and is much more comfortable for my eyes, particularly when being followed by a pickup truck or full sized SUV.
Amen!
 

jck66

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 4, 2001
Location
Greenwich, CT, USA
TDI
12 Passat SE / 14 BMW 535d
And if/when the mirror leaks, I have read that the fluid inside the mirror pretty much ruins any interior trim it hits.
 

BroncoAZ

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
TDI
2015 Touareg Lux, 2015 Passat 6MT, 2009 Jetta (long gone), 2011 Touareg (bought back 02/18)
5% rear tint means I never adjust my mirror for bright headlights.
 

jrm

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2013
Location
Oregon
TDI
2013 Passat SE with nav (totaled)
I recently acquired my NMS back from the wife after my civic got totaled, I notice that I cannot judge the distances of cars behind me- I normally grab the right lane quick when someone comes up on me, but in the Passat the mirror makes it tough to see someone on my A$$
 

Jetta_Pilot

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 14, 2005
Location
West Hill, Ont.
TDI
2015 Passat Highline TDI Candy White (SEL Premium) long gone 2002 Jetta TDI
5% rear tint means I never adjust my mirror for bright headlights.
I did not drive my Passat long before I added tinting on all five windows, maybe the rear window being tinted makes a big difference for the auto-dimming.:confused:
 

Bug

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Location
Indian Harbour Beach, FL
TDI
2013 New Beetle Convertible, 2015 Passat TDI SE
I just picked up a recirculated 2015 Passat SE with sunroof pkg and 20k miles yesterday. I was surprised that it did not have the auto dimming rv mirror. The 2015 brochure shows it as a standard feature on the TDIs. I had it on my 09 Jetta TDI (sold back) and loved it. Is it possible that mine came with it originally and that the original owner swapped it out?

The car does have tinted windows, but we had the rear tint removed by the dealer before we bought because they did such a crappy job it was like looking through smeared Vaseline in the rear view. I think that is why I didn't notice the std mirror on the test drive...

If so, then the electrical hookup should be under the cowling and I could put a stock auto mirror up there?
 

Fixmy59bug

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2009
Location
Las Vegas, NV
TDI
2015 Passat TDI SE
I do not think it was standard on all TDI's for the 2015 model year. I think 2015 was another de-contenting year.

My 2015 Passat SE does not have it either. (Earlier when I commented, I had a 2014 SE which did have it).
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
Our 15 SEL has auto dimming
 

Lincoln

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2014
Location
Seattle, WA
TDI
2013 Passat TDI SE 6 Speed MT
I was also surprised to find that my 2015 doesn't have auto-dimming, since my 2013 had it. Anyone know if it's easy to swap the mirrors? I haven't turned in my 2013 yet, and I'm one of the ones who like the auto-dimming feature.
 

goodmonkey

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2006
Location
Anchorage, AK
TDI
2014 Passat TDI, 2011 Touareg TDI
IMHO, the VW auto dimming mirrors do not work very well. Three NMS Passats now, two of those driven a bit before tinting, and they didn't work well before either. On the other hand, the Chevy's I've had with auto dimming mirrors work great, and my Silverado the driver's exterior mirror dims based on the rate of the dimming of the internal review mirror. I'd really like to know if the new upscale mirror for the Passats and Jettas works any better.

There is something I'm willing to try though, putting some sort of filter on the daylight sensor on the mirror. There is a sensor on the front facing side that sees how bright things to decide if dimming is active or not. The sensor on the rear facing side picks up light, and the brighter that is the darker the mirror goes, if the front sensor things things are dark. I've played with it some in the daylight, and the mirror can get really dark. I'm not driving enough at night now to think much about it though. In a couple months I'll probably revisit this problem.
 

Bug

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Location
Indian Harbour Beach, FL
TDI
2013 New Beetle Convertible, 2015 Passat TDI SE
Brochure

I do not think it was standard on all TDI's for the 2015 model year. I think 2015 was another de-contenting year.

My 2015 Passat SE does not have it either. (Earlier when I commented, I had a 2014 SE which did have it).
That's interesting. The PDF of the 2015 Passat brochure shows it as std on all TDI models...
 

Dan C.

Active member
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Location
western WA
TDI
15 Passat SEL
After having my car about two weeks I'll say for certain, the auto-dim feature is not that great.

I'd rather have the dumb manual mirror.

My 05 Merc has auto dimming rear view and outside mirrors. They work well. The Audis probably work well, too.

High end features for a low end budget doesn't always pan out.
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
Do the mirrors actually leak fluid?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

there is an electrical controled fluid in the mirror, that if "broken" can crack and leak or cause splotcheness. we had good luck with our '12 TDI SE and so far so good on our '15 Passat and '17 Alltrack
 

saucer

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2010
Location
Fayetteville, AR
TDI
2015 Passat SE
Bit of a threadjack, but I recently had my windshield replaced and the tech couldn't seem to get the plastic cover over the rear view mirror mount to reconnect completely (the part that covers the "arm" of the mirror, to where it meets the windshield). It's technically on, but it's easy to see where the clasp is 1/4" from completion.

Anyone know how to properly close this? I've tried squeezing it shut, but it's not wanting to cooperate...
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
What car is this on? 2010 jetta? or a Passat?
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
they prob broke some clips or something
 
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