XC70: Electrical '13 fails to deploy folding mirrors

[Mark Bardenwerper]

Hello,
2013 XC70, 90,000 miles
I usually do not use the folding mirrors option, and it was demonstrated as working when I got the car a few years ago. About a week ago, I thought I would enable the feature. My wife has been using the car, so I am not sure how it happened, but I got in the car one day and found the mirrors moved outward at odd angles, not clicked into the detent limit location. Pushing them out to a usable angle, they move freely, the detent spot being in the folded position. Pushing them manually into the folded position, they move smoothly and stay put.
What has caused my automatic mirrors to fail to deploy?

[october37]

You should be able to reset your mirrors by pressing the Menu Button with the Ignition on, and going to the Mirrors option on the radio display screen.

[Mark Bardenwerper]

Thanks for the clue. I found the solution while wandering on the Internet. It turns out that the folding mirrors option can be manually operated by pressing the left and right mirror control buttons at the same time. Press once to fold, press again to deploy. Mine were in folded position, then the mirrors were manually moved outward, placing them in a usable position, but not into the detents, so they tended to wander while driving, and the auto fold did not work at all. When I pressed the "L" and "R" buttons together, I heard a whir of the motors working, then two "clicks" as they reset the mirrors back into the detents. They now work as intended.

[seanc]

Originally Posted by Mark Bardenwerper

Thanks for the clue. I found the solution while wandering on the Internet. It turns out that the folding mirrors option can be manually operated by pressing the left and right mirror control buttons at the same time. Press once to fold, press again to deploy. Mine were in folded position, then the mirrors were manually moved outward, placing them in a usable position, but not into the detents, so they tended to wander while driving, and the auto fold did not work at all. When I pressed the "L" and "R" buttons together, I heard a whir of the motors working, then two "clicks" as they reset the mirrors back into the detents. They now work as intended.

I didn't think about suggesting that, but you're right, I always have to do that to mine after going through the car wash.

[Mark Bardenwerper]

Lots to still learn about these fascinating cars!

[october37]

I assumed you knew that the two mirror buttons could be used to operate the folding mirrors, but its also amazing how many car owners of all makes of car with folding mirrors are not aware of the option, or how to reset the mirrors to different positions in which they unfold.

08reg XC70 D5se lux Geartronic 208600 miles

[apersson850]

If you press only one of the two R or L buttons, whilst reverse gear is engaged, the mirror will instead turn downwards, to give you a better view of what you are running over with your rear wheel.
Unless you have the option set to do that automatically, that is. If I remember correctly, this feature requires that you have an electrically operated driver's seat, as the memory function required for this to work is handled by the seat's controller.

[Mark Bardenwerper]

Very interesting. Amazing car!
This would be handy for people who set their mirrors in the customary way. I have a method that makes this unnecessary and makes night driving a lot easier. It also decreases the blind spot. I was service manager and trainer for a large cab company and this is how I trained our drivers. Rear end collisions went down drastically.
Sit in the driver's seat and start with either mirror. Tilt you head toward the mirror you intend to adjust and move it until the side of the car is barely visible, just a small slice. Now rotate the mirror downward until you can see your rear bumper end. Your mirror should not see the horizon on a level road but a piece of the pavement behind you, on that side. Now do the same on the other side.
At first, it will be a bit disconcerting, that you can't see the side of your car when you glance at the mirror while driving, but you will have far better coverage of the blind spot area, and the headlights of cars following you at night will not hit you in the eyes. If you want to back up and need to see where your rear end is, tilt your head and you will see where your back bumper is headed. Bingo!

[ferg55]

With the mirrors tilted down towards your bumper I'm not sure how, on the motorway, you would see cars approaching from behind in an adjacent lane & at a distance?

[Mark Bardenwerper]

The bumper would be visible in the lower edge of the mirror. This keeps the angle of the mirror out of the headlights of the following car. The purpose of the side mirrors is to aid in backing, but moreso, to monitor traffic in adjacent lanes.