Window tint affects autodimming mirrors?
09-25-09, 09:57 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Window tint affects autodimming mirrors?
Question, if you put window tint on your rear windows, will that prohibit the auto dimming feature of the side mirrors?
My rear window is tinted but the driver and passenger front sides are not. When driving at night, i wondered if the outside mirrors are dimming at all now...
My rear window is tinted but the driver and passenger front sides are not. When driving at night, i wondered if the outside mirrors are dimming at all now...
09-25-09, 10:17 AM
#2
The auto dimming system works out the difference in the light shining on two sensors, one towards the driver's side (DS) of the rear view mirror, and one on it's back towards the windshield (WS).
Thus, when the WS sensor is in the dark and the DS sensor detects light (e.g. at night, with a following car's headlights), the difference will cause it to darken the rear view and the side mirrors.
If there is a dark tint on the rear window, then the DS sensor will not get enough light to create a difference in sensor signals, and the auto dimming feature will not work, or work at a reduce level of darkness, depending on the tint darkness.
You can mimick this effect by just placing black tape over the DS sensor, or even shielding it with your hand at night. The already darkened mirrors will slowly turn bright.
In summary, tinted rear window = auto dimming feature out of whack.
Thus, when the WS sensor is in the dark and the DS sensor detects light (e.g. at night, with a following car's headlights), the difference will cause it to darken the rear view and the side mirrors.
If there is a dark tint on the rear window, then the DS sensor will not get enough light to create a difference in sensor signals, and the auto dimming feature will not work, or work at a reduce level of darkness, depending on the tint darkness.
You can mimick this effect by just placing black tape over the DS sensor, or even shielding it with your hand at night. The already darkened mirrors will slowly turn bright.
In summary, tinted rear window = auto dimming feature out of whack.
Last edited by vcheng; 09-25-09 at 10:30 AM.
09-28-09, 09:04 AM
#7
As long as the tint still allows for some light to shine through that is enough to trigger a difference in the DS and WS readings, dimming should still work, even though the degree of dimming might change somewhat.
To my knowledge, there are no other sensors involved that control the system. The difference of light signal across these two sensors determines the current applied to the electrochromic layer of all three mirrors. Greater the difference, the greater the degree of darkening.
I welcome others' experieinces and explanations!
To my knowledge, there are no other sensors involved that control the system. The difference of light signal across these two sensors determines the current applied to the electrochromic layer of all three mirrors. Greater the difference, the greater the degree of darkening.
I welcome others' experieinces and explanations!
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09-28-09, 01:50 PM
#8
The auto dimming system works out the difference in the light shining on two sensors, one towards the driver's side (DS) of the rear view mirror, and one on it's back towards the windshield (WS).
Thus, when the WS sensor is in the dark and the DS sensor detects light (e.g. at night, with a following car's headlights), the difference will cause it to darken the rear view and the side mirrors.
If there is a dark tint on the rear window, then the DS sensor will not get enough light to create a difference in sensor signals, and the auto dimming feature will not work, or work at a reduce level of darkness, depending on the tint darkness.
You can mimick this effect by just placing black tape over the DS sensor, or even shielding it with your hand at night. The already darkened mirrors will slowly turn bright.
In summary, tinted rear window = auto dimming feature out of whack.
Thus, when the WS sensor is in the dark and the DS sensor detects light (e.g. at night, with a following car's headlights), the difference will cause it to darken the rear view and the side mirrors.
If there is a dark tint on the rear window, then the DS sensor will not get enough light to create a difference in sensor signals, and the auto dimming feature will not work, or work at a reduce level of darkness, depending on the tint darkness.
You can mimick this effect by just placing black tape over the DS sensor, or even shielding it with your hand at night. The already darkened mirrors will slowly turn bright.
In summary, tinted rear window = auto dimming feature out of whack.
09-28-09, 05:18 PM
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
09-29-09, 05:02 AM
#12
The side mirrors do not perform any sensing or calculation.
The difference in light between the two sensors on the inside mirror controls all three mirrors. The difference signal is proportional to the current applied to the electrochromic layer of all three mirrors, thereby controlling the darkness of the tint (i.e. auto-dimming feature).
The difference in light between the two sensors on the inside mirror controls all three mirrors. The difference signal is proportional to the current applied to the electrochromic layer of all three mirrors, thereby controlling the darkness of the tint (i.e. auto-dimming feature).
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