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RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009) Discussion topics related to the 2004 -2009 RX330, RX350 and RX400H models

AutoDimming side view mirrors

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Old Nov 7, 2003 | 07:04 AM
  #1  
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RickC
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Default AutoDimming side view mirrors

I have a question regarding the side view mirror auto dimming feature.

Does anyone's side mirrors get so dark they can't see thru them? I admit, I have had my driver and passenger window tinted to match the other windows, so that contributes somewhat, but recently, since the time change, my side view mirrors are so dark in the mornings when backing out of the garage, that I can't see out of them. When I get down to the bottom of the driveway, they are sometimes black. I can't see squat in them. I have turned off the headlights to see if that would help, but it doesn't.

Anyone else having this problem? Can't this feature be temporarily disabled?

Thanks in advance,
RickC

Last edited by RickC; Nov 7, 2003 at 07:07 AM.
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Old Nov 7, 2003 | 12:14 PM
  #2  
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Which car are you referring to the rx300 or the rx330?

If its the rx300 you can disable it by pressing that button below your rear view mirror. That should clear all the the mirrors in the car. For the rx330 im not to familiar with. Maybe others here who have the rx330 can help you with that. Good luck.
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Old Nov 7, 2003 | 12:19 PM
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It's an RX330, but I figured they are the same.

Thx,
Rick
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Old Nov 7, 2003 | 06:15 PM
  #4  
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My 330 has legal, smoked tints, but I have no problem when backing out of my garage; the 2 side mirrors have a cool turquoise color to them as soon as I start the car Or is it my Maui Jim sunglasses??

The rear view mirror has a button that turns the dimmer on & off; not sure if it works for the exterior mirrors.
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Old Nov 7, 2003 | 06:32 PM
  #5  
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I will test it next chance I get using the button on the rear view mirror. But my guess would have been that there is a separate sensor for the side view mirrors. I will let you know what I find.

RickC
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Old Nov 8, 2003 | 08:24 AM
  #6  
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There is not a separate sensor for the side view mirrors. They work off the same sensor as the rearview mirror.
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Old Nov 8, 2003 | 01:10 PM
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more on mirror control : and that sensor on the 300 at least is in a small hole on the back of the mirror. I keep a small piece of rolled up paper in the sensor port to block some light, which helps dim the mirrors somewhat in daytime so the mirrors are slightly dimmer. I like the mirrors about medium brightness and Lexus did not provide a control that I can locate.
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 05:27 AM
  #8  
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As some have mentioned here the side view mirrors sensor is the same used by the rear view mirror. I have found that when I disable that function on my rear view mirror using the button, it has no effect on the side views. It appears that the side view mirrors cannot be controlled. Anyone else tested this. I did it while driving at night with cars behind me and turning the button off. I could tell a noticable difference in the rear view mirror, but none in the side views.

RickC
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 01:05 PM
  #9  
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LexusRX330
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RickC,
On my 330, all three mirrors change whenever I push the disable button. Driving home from work on the freeways at night, it seems the mirrors are too dark so I always disable the mirrors. Since the back hatch has the factory tint, I do not have any glare problems from the headlights of the cars behind me.
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 01:19 PM
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Very Interesting. Maybe it's my side window tint that is fooling me. Will have to test more when I can roll the window down and see it directly. But it's starting to get cold at night here, so that might take me a little while....

RickC
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