Power Mirrors: Other Lexus ES XV30

AUTOMATIC GLARE-RESISTANT EC MIRROR

An automatic glare-resistant EC (electro chromic) mirror has been adopted for the inside and outside rear view mirrors as standard equipment. This system uses 2 sensors that are attached onto the inside rear view mirror to detect the difference between the intensity of light entering the inside rear view mirror from the rear of the vehicle, and of the light surrounding the vehicle. (Scheme 35)- (Scheme 37).

During nighttime driving, if a large difference in intensity exists between the surrounding light and the light entering the inside rear view mirror from the headlights of the vehicle driving behind, this system automatically reduces the reflection rate of the inside rear view mirror and thus dampens the glare on the mirror. The reflection rate of the outside rear view mirrors varies in accordance with the change in the reflection rate of the inside rear view mirror.

Scheme 35

Scheme 36

Scheme 37

EC Mirror Cell

An EC mirror cell consists of 2 layers of glass which sandwich the EC elements in the middle. (Scheme 38) The EC elements control coloring and discoloring characteristics through their electro-chemical oxidation reduce reaction. These characteristics are utilized to electronically vary the mirror's reflection rate.

Scheme 38

AUTO Mode

During daytime driving, the inside and outside rear view mirrors remain in the DAY mode. The automatic glare-resistant circuit detects the surrounding light through its No. 1 sensor, the rear light through its No. 2 sensor, and determines whether it is day or night through the intensity of the surrounding light. At the same time, the intensity of the glare from the rear is determined through the difference in intensity between the surrounding and rear light.

When the automatic glare-resistant circuit determines that the rear light is too bright, the EC drive circuit applies voltage to the inside and outside rear view mirror cells to vary their reflection rate.

In accordance with the intensity of the rear light, the inside and outside rear view mirror's reflection rate varies. (Scheme 39)

Scheme 39

INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR COMPASS

The compass indicates the direction in which the vehicle is heading. (Scheme 40) Push the COMP switch to turn the compass system on and off.

The earth magnetism sensor has been built into the inside of the mirror which has less influence on the magnetization of the vehicle. Thus, the accuracy has been improved. The compass indicates the North as 0° and the forward direction of the vehicle by 8 azimuths.

By operating the COMP switch, whether or not to indicate the compass, establishment of the compass zone and calibration can be performed.

If the ignition switch was turned off with the system on, the system will automatically turn back on when the ignition switch is turned on.

The compass may not show the correct direction in the following conditions

1. The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning. The compass does not adjust while the vehicle is stopped.
2. The ignition switch is turned off immediately after turning.
3. The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
4. The vehicle is in a place where the earth's magnetic field is subject to interference by artificial magnetic fields (underground parking, under a steel tower, between buildings, roof parking, near a crossing, near a large vehicle, etc.).
5. The vehicle is magnetized (there is a magnet or a metal object on or near the inside rear view mirror).
6. The battery has been disconnected.

Your vehicle is out of the set zone. The compass works to calibrate the direction automatically while the vehicle is in motion, if deviation is small.

Scheme 40

POWER OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR CONTROL

To adjust the outside power rear view mirror, first place the master switch at L (left) or R (right), and push the control switch on the desired side. The outside power rear view mirror can be adjusted when the key is in the ACC or ON position.

The outside rear view mirror has the following functions

1. Electrical Remote Control Type Mirror - When the mirror control switch is operated, this function moves the mirror surface vertically or laterally to enable the driver to attain an optimal mirror angle. Setting the mirror master switch to the R position operates the right mirror and to the L position operates the left mirror.
2. Rear Window Defogger-Linked Mirror Heater - This function also automatically turns ON the mirror heater when the rear window defogger switch is turned ON. After 15 minutes have elapsed from the time this function has been activated, the rear window defogger turns OFF automatically, and the mirror heater also turns OFF.
3. Automatic Glare-Resistant EC Mirror - This function prevents the glare of the headlights of the vehicle being driven behind that are reflected on the mirror from blinding the driver during nighttime driving. It works in unison with the inside rear view mirror to reduce the amount of reflection.
4. Memory Function (Optional Equipment) - This function stores 2 mirror adjustment positions in the mirror memory ECU. Thus, the mirrors can be adjusted to the positions that are stored in the mirror memory ECU by pressing the memory switch. This function operates by linking with the driver seat position memorized in the memory seat ECU. For memory mirror information, see «POWER SEATS»(ref-152272) article in SEATS.

PROGRAMMING

Note. As the compass system memorizes the vehicle's marked magnetic field, it is necessary to do calibration for each vehicle. Once calibration has been done, it is not necessary to do the calibration unless having a sudden magnetic field change. In case of occurrence of a sudden magnetic field change, C will display in the compass display and it is necessary to do the calibration again.