coolhand

Well, I’ve 2004 RX330 and my inside rear view mirror became loose. I took it to a dealer and they replaced it with a newer one button type mirror.
(Fixed under warranty but the part list was $895 for that rear view mirror along! )
I know I could disable it by holding that single button for 2 sec, but I hate to disable my rear view mirrors every time I start the car.
My two front windows have 20% window tint and it’s too dark to see outside mirrors at night driving....it's real safety hazard!
Does anyone know how to permanently disable two outside mirror’s auto-dimming feature?

RXSF

theres only one button? i think i have two...auto and off.

if i push the off button, it turns it off forever until i push auto again...

coolhand

Newer model has one button type and that's what Lexus used on my car when they had to replace the rear view mirror...

Anyone with solution yet?

biff44

I do not know of a programming button, but on my RX350 there is a light sensor in the rear view mirror that, when it sees headlights coming from the back window, dims the mirrors. You could put a small square of black tape over that little sensor hole, and it would never sense any headlights from behind, and never dim the mirrors.

RXSF

^^ thats a really good idea

coolhand

thanks... do I need to cover front sensor, too?

RXSF

thats for you to try, and us to find out

biff44

I am not aware of the location of the front sensor, but if you can find one I would leave it alone, as it probably controls you headlights.

silvervett

Nope the headlight control is a red thing on the drivers side of the dashboard. The dealer tried to sell me front window tinting but I didn't want to spoil my night vision. They tried real hard to sell me on it but I refused. The tape on the mirror seems like your best option.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

i use a clip on wide view mirror.....

anulex

Isnt the sensor a light sensor so it dims at nightfall? So wouldnt covering it defeat the purpose of wanting it staying on without dimming? I too have tint on my glass i have often had to defeat the auto diming

The G Man

The light sensor detect light as if some high beam you from the back and it dims. If you block the sensor, it will never detect the light and the mirror will not dim.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

not a bad idea. i never liked the dimming rear view mirrrors. makes it hard to spot cop cars behind you at night

mandyfig

Oh yeah, you need to figure out that cop squad profile...clearly...

AM1

iTrader: (6)

cop cars in so cal are always the same two-three models. i have learned over the years to identify probable cop cars, by their headlight pattern.