Heated side mirrors
ConfortAverage price
150€ - 500€
Heated side mirrors, also known as defrosted mirrors, are an essential automotive comfort and safety feature, especially in regions with harsh winters or humid climates. This technology integrates an electrical resistor, in the form of a thin heating film, directly behind the glass surface of the mirror. When activated, usually via the same button as the rear window defogger, this resistor gently warms the glass. This process rapidly and efficiently eliminates frost, ice, fog, or condensation that can obstruct the driver's rear and side vision. In just a few minutes, the mirrors become perfectly clear again, ensuring optimal visibility of blind spots and the vehicle's surroundings. Initially reserved for high-end vehicles, this feature has become widely democratized and is now offered as standard or optional equipment on a vast majority of new models. It represents a considerable time-saver in the morning and a significant active safety element by reducing the risks associated with poor lateral visibility.
Benefits
- ✓Enhanced safety through perfect visibility of blind spots in all conditions.
- ✓Time and comfort saved by avoiding manual scraping of the mirrors.
- ✓Fast and efficient elimination of frost, ice, and fog.
- ✓Preserves the mirror surface by preventing scratches caused by scrapers.
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Heated Mirrors: Perfect Visibility, Maximum Safety
Winter and its harsh weather conditions put motorists to the test. Among the features that turn a morning chore into a mere formality, heated mirrors stand out as a must-have for comfort and safety. Gone are the days of having to painstakingly scrape the thin layer of ice off the mirror glass, with the risk of scratching them. Today, a simple push of a button is all it takes to ensure a clear rearward view.
How do heated mirrors work?
The principle behind heated mirrors is both simple and ingenious. Behind each mirror glass lies a heating element, taking the form of a very fine electrical resistance grid bonded to the back of the glass. This circuit is connected to the vehicle's electrical system. Activation most often occurs simultaneously with the rear window defogger via a single button on the center console or dashboard, recognizable by its pictogram showing a window with wavy arrows. When the driver activates the function, an electric current runs through the resistors, generating heat via the Joule effect. This heat is transferred to the mirror, rapidly melting frost, ice, or evaporating condensation and raindrops. The system is generally on a timer and automatically deactivates after 10 to 15 minutes to prevent overheating or unnecessary energy consumption.
The undeniable benefits for daily driving
The integration of this technology into modern vehicles offers multiple benefits that go far beyond mere comfort.
- Enhanced safety: The most significant advantage is undeniably safety. Clear mirrors are essential for monitoring blind spots, changing lanes with confidence, and reversing. By eliminating visual obstructions caused by frost or fog, heated mirrors significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
- Time-saving and convenience: Who hasn't lost precious minutes on a winter morning scraping their mirrors? With this feature, defrosting takes place while you settle into the vehicle. It is a very appreciable time-saver and convenience for daily use.
- Formidable efficiency: The integrated heating is much more effective and uniform than manual scraping. It acts on the entire mirror surface simultaneously and also works very well to clear persistent fog on cold, damp days.
- Equipment protection: Using plastic scrapers, especially if they are worn or if debris is present, can cause micro-scratches on the fragile mirror surface. Electric defrosting preserves the integrity and clarity of your mirrors over the long term.
Equipment often included in packages
While heated mirrors were once the preserve of high-end trims, they are now widespread. Many manufacturers include them as standard starting from intermediate trim levels. They are also an integral part of "Winter Packs" or "Comfort Packs," often offered as options. These packages generally group together several useful features for the cold season, such as heated seats, a heated steering wheel, or headlight washers.
This functionality is frequently coupled with other mirror-related technologies, such as power-folding mirrors, the electrochromic function (automatic anti-glare), or the integration of blind spot monitoring indicators. In conclusion, heated mirrors are much more than just a gadget. They constitute a fundamental active safety element, considerably improving visibility and driving comfort when conditions deteriorate. A feature to prioritize absolutely when purchasing a new vehicle.
Finitions équipées
16 finition(s) proposent cet équipement
Fiat Fiat Fiorino
Progressive (2nd generation / Phase 2) (2016-2022)
Fiat Fiat Fullback
Fullback Extra Cab (1st generation) (2016-2019)
Hyundai Getz
Inventive (1st generation) (2010-2011)
Hyundai Veloster
Creative GPS (1st generation) (2012-2016)
Kia Carens
Active (Carens III - RP generation) (2013-2019)
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Classe B
Style (W246 / 2nd generation) (2012-2018)
Nissan Nissan NV200
Tekna Van (1st generation) (2010-2015)
Nissan Nissan NV200
Tekna Van (Phase 2) (2015-2021)
Nissan Nissan NV200
e-NV200 Tekna (2014-2021)
Opel Opel Rocks-e
Rocks-e Style (1st generation) (2021-2023)
Peugeot Peugeot 107
Active Pack (1st generation) (2011-2014)
Peugeot Peugeot 408
Active Pack (2nd generation) (2022-2024)
Peugeot Peugeot Bipper
Bipper Van Confort / Club (1st generation) (2010-2017)
Renault Renault Twizy
Zen 45 (1st generation) (2012-2019)
Volkswagen Volkswagen Crafter
Business Plus (2nd generation) (2019-2026)
Volkswagen Volkswagen Up!
Lounge / Lounge up! (special edition) (2016-2019)
Associated equipment
Power-folding mirrors
Power-folding mirrors represent a significant evolution from traditional exterior rearview mirrors, integrating a motorized mechanism for automatic folding and unfolding. Controlled via a button in the cabin or synchronized with the vehicle's central locking system, they fold in when the car is parked and unfold upon unlocking or starting. This convenience feature is particularly appreciated in urban environments, where parking spaces and streets are often narrow, thereby protecting the housings and glass from accidental impacts. Beyond simple protection, these modern systems frequently integrate advanced technologies. Position memory, for example, allows mirror settings to be saved for multiple drivers, linking them to a key fob or user profile. Integrated de-icing is another essential function, using an electric heating element to quickly eliminate frost or fog, ensuring perfect visibility from the very first moments of driving. Certain models also offer reverse gear tilt-down (curb view), where the passenger-side mirror tilts downward to view the curb and prevent wheel rim damage. This set of features transforms the rearview mirror into a true driving assistant, combining safety, practicality, and vehicle protection.
Winter Pack
The Winter Pack is a bundle of optional equipment offered by automotive manufacturers, designed to improve comfort, safety, and driving pleasure during periods of intense cold. Its contents can vary considerably from one brand to another and even from one model to another, but it generally groups together features dedicated to combating frost, snow, and low temperatures. The most common elements include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated exterior mirrors. More comprehensive versions may add a heated windshield, heated windscreen washer nozzles, heated rear seats, or even a programmable auxiliary heating system. The main objective is twofold: on the one hand, to offer immediate thermal comfort to the driver and passengers upon startup, without waiting for the engine to warm up. On the other hand, it aims to guarantee optimal and rapid visibility by accelerating the defrosting of glass surfaces, which constitutes a significant safety advantage. For electric vehicles, the Winter Pack is particularly relevant because using heated seats and steering wheel is more energy-efficient than heating the entire cabin, thus helping to preserve battery range.
Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
The auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, also known as an automatic day/night mirror, is a comfort and safety feature that automatically darkens to reduce glare caused by the headlights of trailing vehicles. Unlike traditional manual mirrors that require physical adjustment to switch between day and night modes, the electrochromic model adjusts its tint level progressively and autonomously. It consists of special glass incorporating an electrochemical gel or liquid between two layers. Two light sensors, one facing forward (measuring ambient light) and the other facing backward (detecting headlight intensity), work in tandem. When the rear sensor detects bright light while the front sensor perceives darkness, a microprocessor sends a low electrical current to the gel, which darkens. This chemical reaction absorbs light and decreases the intensity of the reflection, thereby protecting the driver's eyes. As soon as the intense light source disappears, the current is cut, and the mirror returns to its maximum clarity. This sophisticated technology significantly improves visual comfort and safety during nighttime driving.
Heated exterior mirrors
Heated exterior mirrors, also known as defrosted mirrors, are a convenience and safety feature increasingly common on modern vehicles. Incorporating a thin electrical heating element behind the mirror glass, this system warms the glass to quickly and effectively eliminate frost, ice, mist, or condensation. Activation is generally done via the same button as the rear window defogger, or automatically on certain models depending on the outside temperature. This technology is particularly appreciated in cold and humid regions, where weather conditions can considerably reduce side visibility. Within a few minutes, the driver regains a clear view of their surroundings, particularly the blind spots, without needing to get out of the vehicle to manually scrape the mirrors. Beyond mere comfort, this is a genuine active safety equipment, essential for lane changes and maneuvers in cold or rainy weather. Initially reserved for high-end vehicles, this option has become widely democratized and is now offered as standard on many intermediate trims or within dedicated option packages (Winter Pack).
Heated rear window
The heated rear window is an essential comfort and safety feature found on almost all modern vehicles. Its main role is to quickly eliminate frost, ice, or condensation that forms on the exterior and interior surfaces of the rear glass, thereby guaranteeing optimal rearward visibility. The system operates using a network of fine conductive lines, often orange or copper-colored, integrated directly into the glass surface. When activated via a dashboard button, a low-voltage electric current runs through these filaments. Through the Joule effect, this electrical resistance generates heat that spreads evenly across the entire surface of the rear window, melting the ice and evaporating condensation. Most systems are equipped with an automatic shut-off timer (usually after 10 to 15 minutes) to avoid excessive energy consumption and prevent glass overheating. Essential in winter, this equipment is also very useful in damp weather to combat fogging, directly contributing to active safety by allowing the driver to monitor the rear environment of their vehicle under all circumstances.