I have had my 2017 Volt for close to year now, and the one thing I hate, is the self dimming mirror. Good thing I drive +90% of the time in the daytime, because the mirror doesn't dim at all. It simply puts a greenish hue into the blinding glare of the headlights from the car behind. My solution is to angle the mirror up enough, that I can see into it, if I stretch my neck up. I miss the manual lever on my 2009 Cobalt.
2017 My Self Dimming Rearview Mirror Sucks
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Follow telveer's advice as a starter. Also, next time you have your eyes examined, explain how affected you are with the lights. You may have the beginnings of an eye condition. If replacement of your lenses is recommended, get a second opinion before you have the operation. I've had conflicting opinions regarding cataracts in my eyes.
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This. I had the same problem where my mirror never truly dimmed, just sort of turned greenish blue. Rotated it and it works MUCH better.
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I believe it can be a personal preference and I'm with the OP. I've had self dimming mirrors for the past 10 years and didn't care for them. My LT has a manual mirror and I happier than a clam.
Why do we need to automate something so simple as flipping a little lever?
Why do we need to automate something so simple as flipping a little lever?
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Watch when rotating the mirror that you don't mess up the wires. When correctly installed, the rearward sensor should be at the top of the mirror. There's also a sensor on the front of the mirror that senses light. You can see it looking through the windshield.
There should be a way to turn off the auto-dim feature. Then you can just tilt the mirror up to achieve what the little lever has done for years
Dr. Fyodor, veteran of two recent cataract operations, here: I understand your concern, but the OP is a Canadian and unlikely to be sold a procedure he doesn't need. Our health care system just doesn't work that way. The need would be obvious in many ways other than vision in the rear view mirror.
BTW my biggest expense was transportation to and from the clinic. Apologies if this derails the discussion and I won't pursue it any further.
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Don't feel too bad. Our BMW i3 has the same type of mirror and it sucks as well. These car companies source this stuff from the same firm or firms that develop these techs. It's not very good option IMO and sometimes the simplest way is the best way....just flipping the mirror.
What he's trying to say is that the Canadian single payer system is vastly superior to ours, costs less, and has better healthcare outcomes -- just like the POTUS said of the similar Australian system.
That, and that I did not want to hijack a thread about self-dimming mirrors. There is no real indication the OP has any eye problems anyway.
GM has been using the same mirror mount style for the last several decades. So you could get a manual day/night mirror from a wrecking yard car for a few dollars. The local Pick N Pull charges $6.99 + tax/etc for one. (http://www.picknpull.com/)
Cover the front sensor a bit
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I have experienced the same issue with the mirror and I used the same trick that I did on my Leaf. Black electrical tape. Just cover your desired amount of the front light sensor and the mirror will dim more at night. In the case of my Volt, I covered about 3/4 of the sensor and it works great now. The mirror is perfect day and night now. My tape job was not super-neat, but it works and you can probably cut your tape smaller and fit it exactly on top of the sensor if the look bothers you.
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If you cover the sensor under the glass (it picks up the light from behind the car) the dimmer should be completely off and the mirror bright. I thought the sensor facing the front (the sensor on the back of the mirror) was for the Auto High Beam Headlights.
Glad the tape helped!
No, I believe the auto high-beams are done with the same camera beside the mirror that does the lane keeping assist. The front mirror sensor is for ambient light and the back sensor (under the mirror glass) is for light coming from behind the vehicle like the headlights of a car behind you. So, by covering part or all of the front sensor, you make the mirror think that it is darker outside and it therefore dims more when lights come from behind you. For me, I spent a few days playing with how much of the front sensor to cover and reached a balance that I am happy with. My mirror stays clear during the day and dims the way that I like when bright lights are behind me at night.
Like you said, if you leave the front sensor uncovered and cover the one under the mirror glass, it will never dim.
No, I believe the auto high-beams are done with the same camera beside the mirror that does the lane keeping assist. The front mirror sensor is for ambient light and the back sensor (under the mirror glass) is for light coming from behind the vehicle like the headlights of a car behind you. So, by covering part or all of the front sensor, you make the mirror think that it is darker outside and it therefore dims more when lights come from behind you. For me, I spent a few days playing with how much of the front sensor to cover and reached a balance that I am happy with. My mirror stays clear during the day and dims the way that I like when bright lights are behind me at night.
Like you said, if you leave the front sensor uncovered and cover the one under the mirror glass, it will never dim.
AUTOMATION IS WONDERFUL...........
I have several cars with the dimming feature, what a great invention -- like sunglasses that darken in the sun, only these mirrors tint at car lights. Fantastic tool for the VOLT.
I have a car that does not have the automated tinting rear view and side mirrors. That handle flips then it is too dark. Not good.
WHAT I DID........
They sell a curved mirror, used to be available like crazy at KMart but you occasionally find them at other retailors. They already have a slight tint to them for daytime and the curve gives you a wider view of the rear and (sort of) side. It also makes the bright car lights look dimmer at night ( no help for the side mirrors ). This curved mirror is one of my favorite mirrors second to the self dimming mirror.
INDEED have your eyes checked... if you are approaching catarak territory, it is not nearly the big deal it was in the past. I have had both eyes done and they don't put you to sleep while they do the lens exchange, no pain, no feeling, nothing. Done in one day and you are back with good sight again. Jus saying.
I really did not like the auto dimming mirror on my Gen 1. I tried all the tricks mentioned here. I also didn't like the one I had on another car. Just not my thing, I guess. I like the manual style. I got an OEM Chevy manual mirror and put it in my Volt. Love it. Works great. It is dim when I want it dim. It does not brighten every time the car behind me moves away, so that the next car to drop in behind me will blind me while the mirror adjusts.
One thing to watch out for is that aftermarket rear view mirrors from the auto parts store are really junky. Definitely get an OEM one somehow. EBay has plenty.
One thing to watch out for is that aftermarket rear view mirrors from the auto parts store are really junky. Definitely get an OEM one somehow. EBay has plenty.
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