Side Mirror / Defroster

[LillyWhite 2006]

This morning, with the cooler temps, I had to defrost my car.

As I normally do, I turn on the rear defroster and then turn on the front defroster and the floor vents to run at the same time to warm the inside. My side mirrors did not defrost, but the rest of the car did, so I turned the heat to just the upper vents and still no defrost.

I have a 2006 SR5. This is my first 4 runner so don't know if this is normal or not.

Help!!!!:wow:

 

[MikeInNH]

Two things.

First..You have the SR5..so this model didn't come with the side mirror defrost.

Second..If this vehicle DID have the side-mirror defrost option..turning the heat to the upper vents would have 0 effect. The side-mirror defrost is electric.

 

[DC runner]

Yea. Unless you where so hot, as to physically melt the glass, the air seperation between the interior of your car and the vents makes that warm air defrosting the actual mirror outside practically an impossibility.

I have always found the credit card sized membership cards, like to a grocery store, perfect for side windows. I have a truck with side defrost and I never wait for it. Few swipes with the card and good to go..

 

[LillyWhite 2006]

Thanks for the reply.

The reason I assumed that blowing the vents in the normal position (having all the heat coming out above and none below or on defrost) is because of the small side vents on eash side of the dash, which are above the normal sized vents.

In my prior Toyotas (albeit Camry's) these same vents (which were set up the same way) were used to defrost the side mirrors, relaying heat in that direction.

 

[DC runner]

Wait. Are you confusing your side window, with your mirror?

Because, I am telling you, due to laws of thermodynamics and the properties of convection and air space insulation, that it is literally practically a physical impossibility for the temperature of the AIR INSIDE your car to heat up your mirrors OUTSIDE of the car. Side view mirrors are attached the the car and physically 6 or 7 inches away, outside the car.

Unless there is a physical temperature exchange contact, like a air tunnel to the back of the mirror; which their usually is not; again for insulation purposes, I don't see a way for the temperature to heat up the mirrors.

Are we talking with the windows down?? This is why headed side mirrors are done electronically, with a heat bub or some other powered manner, similar to rear defrost.

 

[scottm]

I carry a spray-on window deicer for my rear-view mirrors. Modern mirrors are very thin, the glass can break before the ice does.

If you don't use your windshield washer fluid much, the alcohol might have evaporated out over the Summer. You can add isopropyl alcohol or just get some new fluid in there.

 

[LillyWhite 2006]

I must have been lucky with my prior Camry's, becuase I kid you not, when the heat was running full blast and if there was ice on the side mirrors, they would defrost and melt and I did not have heated mirrors.

Thanks for everyones input and help

 

[Sungod]

That might work if you were to crack your windows and direct the air flow in that direction. You are in Ga after all so it isn't like you are seeing -30.

 

[ClockWork]

I must have been lucky with my prior Camry's, becuase I kid you not, when the heat was running full blast and if there was ice on the side mirrors, they would defrost and melt and I did not have heated mirrors.

I doubt that.

Welcome to the club.

 

[DC runner]

I doubt that.

Welcome to the club.

Not the only one, I see, that paid attention is physical science class.

 

[TRDCal]

I must have been lucky with my prior Camry's, becuase I kid you not, when the heat was running full blast and if there was ice on the side mirrors, they would defrost and melt and I did not have heated mirrors.

I suppose if you were doing 300-400mph the heat generated on the cars body panels could melt ice on the side mirrors....it would have to be a v6 camry to do those speeds tho :jk:

 

[08T4R]

Easy on the Lady, guys. She is just asking for help with the subject. Not everyone is familiar with every piece of their car. The small vents you're referring to Lilly are to defrost the side windows. Most mirror or glass defrosters are electronic, like someone stated above. Im sure you could find a way to direct the heat from those small vents, but theres far faster ways to defrost things..

 

[Ginneta]

Lilly, honey, it is SUPER easy to use a blow dryer to defrost your mirrors for this if it a MUST for you to have defrosted mirrors. Buy a plug that goes into your lighter and a cheap $5 blow dryer to keep in your truck. Thinking outside the box is great, but sometimes too far out of the box (like interior heat radiating to exterior mirrors) only makes you seem crazy!!