This is really not a question, but an " I didn't know this" statement. A while back I wa driving home late from work oe nite and I noticed that the drivers side mirror had the same blueish tint as the rear view mirror and when I looked at the passenger side mirror it was normal, then a coupe miles further down the road, I noticed the passenger side had dimmed. I did not realize the the outside mirrors dim indecently from the inside rear view mirror, I'm amazed at how much technology is in the ES 350.

 

yep, was an optional feature. I don't know when they started adding it but Mercedes had been doing that for a long time. My old 1999 ML430 used to do the same, but driver's side mirror only. They were all like that...could never figure out why they didn't fit it to the passenger side too...

 

Personally, I hate the auto dimming feature. I feel like I lose a sense of what large vehicles might be directly behind me (18 wheeler etc.) and could be dangerous.

I shut it off with the auto dim button on the rearview mirror, but it comes back on when I restart the car. Is there a way to keep it permanently off?

Any help? Thanks!

 

If you can't tell the difference between an 18 wheeler and a sedan when the mirror auto-dims, you need glasses, not a way to shut off the autodim.

It's more dangerous to NOT have it autodim and have your rear-view washed out by bright lights or taller vehicles' lights.

 

LOL! True enough! I do have a set of glasses.

The main thing is, you start to become oblivious to your surroundings as it is dimmed out and the cars surrounding you tend to fade in the mirror (just human nature). I've never had a problem being 'blinded' in the rear view for any substantial time .... Or if it could be turned off permanently. Ill have to check the manual...

 

I have never seen my rearview dim to the point where I couldn't see cars around me...hell I can pretty much still read their license plates.

I don't know if my 07 has auto-dim side mirrors...I'll have to pay attention on the way home tonight.