OK, I found a minor annoyance with me TDI

[r11]

outta have _something to rant about

and that would be the 4 way mirror regulator switch:

- awkward location. Never seen a car quite as bad in that respect On our cars, it is mounted on a left side vertical surface !

- they managed to add mirror heater switch to the same control (!?). Logically it kind of belongs there, but what a pita to operate . The rotating switch has most vague feel to it and it feels like it is going to break every time you use it.

Why or why wouldn't they just activate the mirror heater when you engage rear defrost - like every other car out there ?

Here in Northeast, we get quite a few mornings when the mirrors are all mist covered in the mornings and heated mirrors are a must. Every time that happens, rear window is all fogged up as well, so single control makes most sense.

Say you want to adjust a mirror angle while driving. Never an issue with any other car, but here, forget about it ! Can not use left hand, unless you're a contortionist. Have to reach with right hand .... bad bad bad

And ... get this ... when you turn the heater to "on" position, the heat is on till you turn it off. At least they make it most intense for 2 mins and then back off, but you still have to remember to turn it off ... no indicator to remind you about the fact that is on either.

VW, if u r listening: move the darn control to somewhere around window control cluster. Ditch the heater control and have the mirrors heat up when "rear defrost" is turned . And just like the latter, make it turn off automatically after a set interval.

 

[Sharky]

outta have _something to rant about

and that would be the 4 way mirror regulator switch:

- awkward location. Never seen a car quite as bad in that respect

- they managed to add mirror heater switch to the same control (!?). Logically it kind of belongs there, but what a pita to operate .

Why or why wouldn't they just activate the mirror heater when you engage rear defrost - like every other car out there ?

Here in Northeast, we get quite a few mornings when the mirrors are all mist covered in the mornings and heated mirrors are a must.

Agreed with your complaint and your logic statement. Maybe VAG-com can activate them if the rear defrost is activated ???
The golf is just as bad.

 

[r11]

OK, tested it:

- with mirror control joystick NOT in "heat on" position, used "rear defrost". Waited few mins, mirrors stayed cold.

- used mirror control joystick to turn the mirror heat on and they became mighty toasty in 20-30 seconds.

Quick google search does show that VAG-com could be used to flip a bit somewhere in the depth of settings, so that use of "rear defrost" would activate the mirror heaters ... anyone knows where it is hidden ?

 

[dachman1]

Hmmm, I'm going to have to reread my manual when I get home.

I was under the impression that when the stick is in the heat position... it only works when the defrost rear window is also activated. In other words, when the timer kicks the rear window off, the mirrors turn off as well even though the mirror stick is pointed to heat.

 

[r11]

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=334122

^^^^
that's the bit, at least in Jetta. Anyone with VCDS to check if it is present in B7 ?

Also, at least with some VW cars, the mirrors will get automatically heated for a min or so, w/o requiring any input from driver, if the temp is close to 0C. This still doesn't help with my use case - the plentiful misty mornings in spring and fall.

 

[MyAvocation]

OP, on very cold mornings there's only enough alternator juice for a couple of heaters. For instance, Climatronic will automatically turn on the aux heater. When adding defrost, mirrors and 1-2 seat heaters, not only will none of them work well, but battery charging will be minimal. Repeat this for a week, coupled with short commutes, and you could have a no start morning.

Also, heated mirrors will auto shut off after a preset time... I've read 15-20 minutes.

Back in Feb I had a chance to monitor heater outputs while tooling down the highway. The rear defroster sucks more wattage than both heated seats set to high! I could not measure aux heater since its thermally controlled and cabin was up to temp.

I agree regarding knob placement... Horizontal is ideal. At least SEL owners have the memory mirror option for multiple drivers.

 

[APT]

I also agree with all of the mirror control and heat design issues. Minor, but room for improvement.

 

[meowguy]

This thread brings to mind a sign on the front of the mess hall at Ft. Belvoir Virginia. The sign read "Here to feed not to fatten." This is what I love about my previous JSW and current Passat SE. You get what you need to drive the car. That is the way VW designs and makes these cars and it suits me to a "T".

 

[Dismayed]

I only adjusted my mirrors when I first drove our Passat - they now adjust automatically with the electric seat memory setting. So, yes, it could be better, but I don't adjust the mirrors much.