Anyone else having problems with getting sideview mirrors to look clean. Mine generally look foggy or smeared and when they have water spots these are very difficult to remove. I did complain to the dealer about this and they cleaned the mirrors but when viewed under different light one still sees water spots and a fogged look.
'03 sideview mirrors "fogged" look problem
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TranceKrayz
New member
my mirrors and windows are also very squeaky clean. before i tinted my front windows, i would occasionally forget that's it's up and try to stick my arm out while driving *ouch*. my uncle once sneezed out his window only to realize that it was still up.....what a mess! 
I just washed my truck thoroughly the other day and later noticed the fogging again. Got some newspaper and vinegar based window cleaner and looked better but then fogged again. Water spots are very hard to remove. If someone figures this out I sure would like to know why this is happening.
Today my lights starting going on even when it was sunny. (on automatic setting). So here's another strange thing happening. It wasn't overcast and I wasn't going through a tunnel, they just went on, then off and then on again. This happened twice.
Today my lights starting going on even when it was sunny. (on automatic setting). So here's another strange thing happening. It wasn't overcast and I wasn't going through a tunnel, they just went on, then off and then on again. This happened twice.
TechWrench
Senior Member
Must have been another 4Runner going the other way and your rig just 'auto' flashed 'em HI!!!
The sensor for the auto headlights is on the dash in front of the driver almost at the join between windshield and dash - if there is anything slidding around there like a parking receipt it might trigger the sensor.
I wonder if the mirrors have picked up some wax on them from an auto car wash? Mine dont do this but I am really wishing they were heated as we head into Fall.
I wonder if the mirrors have picked up some wax on them from an auto car wash? Mine dont do this but I am really wishing they were heated as we head into Fall.
I hand wash and wax the 4Runner on my own. However, the dealer does wash it and one time did hand wax it (didn't do the best job, leaving wax on molding, etc) so maybe they got some wax on the mirrors??? I just don't think that this is what is causing this. My mirrors are heated but don't think that this is causing them to fog or for water spots to be difficult to remove.
As for the lights, I think it might have been due to a parking receipt which had slid over. I've had other parking receipts between dash and window in the corner area and never had this happen but this one had slipped away from the corner and may have been causing the problem.
As for the lights, I think it might have been due to a parking receipt which had slid over. I've had other parking receipts between dash and window in the corner area and never had this happen but this one had slipped away from the corner and may have been causing the problem.
I can try and take a picture and see if it can capture the fogged look. Whether or not one sees the fogging depends upon the angle of light and amt. of light. Sometimes the mirror looks very clean but when the light hits from another direction the mirror is obviously fogged. Hard to explain. Will give the picture a try.
V8Limited4wd
New member
i have the same problem too... tried scrubbing it off with windex but it seems like its a problem underneath the glass... maybe has to do with the heated mirror system?
i wonder if the dealer would replace them under warranty
i wonder if the dealer would replace them under warranty
rivertrek
New member
I have the same problem with my mirrors
I have a 04 Runner without the heated mirrors. The “fogging”, lack of a better explanation, started out looking like water spots and over a short period of time has the really hazy film look to it. I have tried many glass cleaners and nothing has worked yet. At night when I car passes you can really see the hazed up reflection.
It really bugs me since this is the only place on the truck that I can't get to shine.
Has anybody found a fix yet?
Also, this is my first post and I just want to thank everybody for all the great information on this board. Hopefully I can share my knowledge with you.
I have a 04 Runner without the heated mirrors. The “fogging”, lack of a better explanation, started out looking like water spots and over a short period of time has the really hazy film look to it. I have tried many glass cleaners and nothing has worked yet. At night when I car passes you can really see the hazed up reflection.
It really bugs me since this is the only place on the truck that I can't get to shine.
Has anybody found a fix yet?
Also, this is my first post and I just want to thank everybody for all the great information on this board. Hopefully I can share my knowledge with you.
Sac State
New member
coated glass?
Aren't all the glass/mirror pieces in the 4th gen coated with a factory applied water resistance product? Hydrophillic or hydrophobic?
The factory applied a RainX material to all glass surface areas. This is probably the 'fog' you are referring to. You are not supposed to use ammonia based products on this coated glass, otherwise it will start to 'fog'.
My $.02.
Aren't all the glass/mirror pieces in the 4th gen coated with a factory applied water resistance product? Hydrophillic or hydrophobic?
The factory applied a RainX material to all glass surface areas. This is probably the 'fog' you are referring to. You are not supposed to use ammonia based products on this coated glass, otherwise it will start to 'fog'.
My $.02.
V8Limited4wd
New member
anyway to fix it?
