Have you ever wondered how auto-dimming rearview mirrors work? The auto tech geeks on our team at Certified Preowned.com in Austin, TX love to answer this question. Here's what they tell us.
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirrors 101
Auto-dimming mirrors use electrochromic technology. In a nutshell, it's technology that enables a mirror to sense light and then dim in response to it. The dimming reduces the blinding and disorienting effects of glare in low-light driving scenarios. Auto-dimming rearview mirrors are fast becoming a standard feature on most makes and models/trims.
What Do Auto-Dimming Mirrors Contain?
Auto-dimming rearview mirrors consist of mirrored glass with an electrically conductive coating, photo light sensors, electrochromic gel, and a controller. When light hits the photo sensors, the controller sends a current of electricity through the mirrors' conductive coating. This causes the electrochromic gel to darken, reducing the amount of light reflected. The mirrors return to normal after the sensors detect that the glare is gone.
