I agree with Tony I have the mirror with 5% tint and it still dims when cars are behind me.

I like it and it's do-able with the homelink. I got it for free for my purchase from the dealer, but I am glad I have it.

 

SUV drivers here are unclear on the concept of when to use fog lights, so the auto-dim mirror is great. I wanted one with a compass, so the dealer installed a standard Toyota mirror. No garage door opener though.

 

can someone post pix of this if they have the side airbags?
I'd like to see how the install looks before I buy.

thanks,
Scott

 

I just got an xA and got rid of my xTerra. The xTerra had a self dimming rear view mirror with a compass and an external temperature display. I MISS IT BIG TIME. I'm actually thinking about getting my hands on the xTerra mirror and installing it in my xA.

The xTerra mirror actually had two sensors to determine the amount of dimming required. It had a photoresistor in the front of the mirror and one on the back of the mirror. It compared the resistanct between the two to determine how much dimming was required. Pretty neat! Except for the parking tag had to be hung intentionally "****-eyed" so that it wouldn't turn the dimmer on during the day! :-)

PS..where the heck is the "A pillar"? is that the column next to the driver's shoulder?

 

Sciontcya,
I dont have any pics, but the instructions are very very easy to follow. Basically, just take the moonroof control panel down and you will find the moonroof harness. They give you T-taps and tell you which color wire to tap into. Then you plug your mirror into those and your done.

 

Thanks man.
What I'm wondering is how the wiring looks?
Doesn't it need to travel to the panel on the outside?

Scott

 

I also vote pro auto dimming mirror. This is one of the options I ordered- and I'm glad I've got it. My windows are tinted, works fine... home links is great. Off the top of my head, there are 3 openers....

 

I noticed something wierd. My instructions when i installed the mirror dont mention tapping into the roof controls. Instead they had me run the wire down the a pillar, to a place near the fuse panel?

 

That is al well and good, the probem is if you have the SRS airbags you have to be extra careful. You can just run it from the mirror, straight into the headliner and then tap the sunroof. I just did it with my radar.....

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=119184

 

1) There are two sets of instructions for the install. The first one had it going down the pillar...hence no install with air bags. Someone at Toyota finally got the bright idea that the power could be tapped from the console above. So the updated instructions tell you to go there. i think i have them both in pdf if anyone needs.

2) autodimming does not auto dim based upon headlights in your rear view. it polarizes based upon a light sensor pointed towards the windshield (not the back). this gauges the incoming light, it then compensates..thus assuming it is dark and people will have their lights on.

Oh and if you don't like that feature, you can turn it off.

I have tint all around and no problems. primarly got it for the Homelink function, i hate extra remote controls.

my only gripe with this mirror is that at my seating angle i always see a piece of the moonroof console in the top part of the reflection due to the way they bumped out that piece on the headliner. I don't know if you get that with the stock mirror placement because my car was delivered with the option.

 

limo all the way around and it works perfectly! i love it!

 

The autodimming mirror has sensors on the front and back. The sensor on the front determines if it is daylight or dark, and the sensor on the back picks up incoming headlights and dims/polarizes only if headlights are shining in. This is why the installation instructions have you cover the front sensor - to simulate dark conditions - then shine a light at the mirror side - to simulate headlights - to make sure it dims properly. It's a very cool feature.

jetlounge, I know what you mean about seeing your moonroof switch in the mirrror. I installed mine after having the stock mirror for a while. The stock mirror actually sits lower and avoids this, but it's not that big of a deal, IMO.

 

I just install one auto-dimming mirror, but according to the information, there should be a green light to show the dimming mirror is working, but I cannot see the green light on mine, but the three home link is working fine, can anyone give me a hand, thanks

 

you can use it with the side air bags now, toyota said they fixed the problem.

 

I love the auto-dimming mirror and always wanted one - this is my first car with one. The homelink is a bonus...along with the green light on the bottom. My one 'nit' about it is that it won't auto-dim in the daylight when SUV drivers pull up behind you with their headlights on and as far as I can tell there is no manual adjustment. I may try covering the daylight sensor and see how that works.

 

good reasoning

but i lovvvve my autodimming mirror - i have 5% and it still works awesome, or that could just be my tint darkening their lights! homelink is the bomb, its got a bright map light and other dim colored lights that can come on too.

 

I just wish I could change those lil lights on the bottom to LEDs to be a bit brighter .

 

i have the auto dim mirror and its awesome. when i go home, no more fumbling for the garage door opener. i have 17% tint on the hatch and still holds the dim function. also i have side curtain airbags. i could live without it but it makes things easier for me.

 

Overall I am pro Auto Dimming Mirror. I only wish that the "Cool Blue" was more of a blue color. My "blue" color is closer to a green color. I have the factory installed blue lights on my tC and the auto dimming mirror does not match the color at all. It is not even close to matching the color. However, the Amber color matches the gagues and headunit perfectly which is nice. Personally I would say that the "Cool Blue" is more of a "Teal". Overall the mirror is still worth the money spent on it. It is very convenient not having to flip the mirror after you pass an SUV or Semi on the highway

 

jetlounge, can you post the updated installation instructions for tc with side airbags ?
Thanks.