Lowering mirrors when reversing

[StepOne]

Hello,

I have just bought a 2018 Polo SEL. It has a mirror lowering option in the Infotainment system and this is ticked. But it doesn’t work. Before I go back to the main agent where my Polo was bought, can anyone please let me know if this model definitely has this facility? I've Googled but haven't been able to find out.

Many thanks

[Maarten]

Did you program the motion it has to preform?

Screenshot_20231208-193509.png (294.89 KiB) Viewed 1119 times

[SRGTD]

The dipping kerbside mirror was an extra cost option on a 2018 SEL model (it was only part of standard equipment on the R-Line and GTI+ models) - see screenshot below from the Feb 2018 Polo price and spec brochure;

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If your mirrors have the electric folding function, then you should also have the dipping kerbside mirror. If your car does have this [dipping kerbside mirror] option, then it needs to be set up before it will work irrespective of whether or not it is ticked in the vehicle settings menu(s). From memory, the procedure is as follows, but best to check your owner’s manual in case I’ve got the sequence of steps in the wrong order;

• Switch the ignition on but do not start the engine

• ensure the mirror lowering function is selected in the vehicle settings

• Set the mirror adjustment control on the driver’s door to ‘L’ (i.e. the kerbside mirror for a right hand drive car)

• Select reverse gear.

• Adjust the nearside / passenger side exterior mirror to the required position so you can see the kerb

• Put gear lever into neutral

The dipping position for the kerbside mirror is stored in the car’s memory.

Once set up, the mirror adjustment control on the driver’s door needs to be in the ‘L’ position when reversing for the mirror dip to work (I keep mine set to ‘L’ unless I use the mirror heating function or fold my mirrors in when driving in/out of my garage). After using, the mirror will return to the pre-dipping position when you switch off the ignition or drive forward and the speed of the car reaches approx 9-10 mph.

[OomStu_ZA]

Yeah I learnt the hard way in 2019 because I went back to the dealer thinking something had packed up with the motor behind the glass. Felt a bit stupid if I am honest but had I bothered to RTFM it would have caused me less stress Now I just leave the knob on L.

[StepOne]

Hello again,

Many thanks to everyone you took the time to reply.

It does work but so far as I can see only on the passenger mirror. I was following the setup for the drivers side. Although, I'll try again on the drivers side tomorrow in daylight.

[Maarten]

Don't bother.
Only works on the off-side

[SRGTD]

@StepOne; as @Maarten has said, the dipping mirror function only works on one mirror - in the case of a UK car it’ll be the near side (passenger side) mirror.

The dipping mirror function is to help minimise the risk of mounting the kerb and / or scraping your alloys on the kerb when parallel parking. In the UK when parallel parking legally, you’ll be parked on the left, facing in the same direction as the travel direction of moving traffic, so it’ll be your near side / passenger side wheels closest to the near side kerb and pavement and at risk of being damaged.

I find it to be a really useful feature but have never felt the need for the driver’s side mirror to tilt down when reversing.