Auto-Dim Mirror: Can we adjust sensitivity?

jojov · 11-07-2005, 02:44 PM

Does anybody know a way to calibrate the sensitivity of the auto-dimming mirror?

Prius owners like us are likely to go blind. In this world of SUV's, we're all in perfect line-of-site of their headlights. I'd like my mirror to dim when sensing less brightness from headlights. How can I turn up the sensitivity?

Thanks!

aaf709 · 11-07-2005, 02:48 PM

http://john1701a.com/ has information on that. Basically you put a blue piece of transparent plastic over the sensor in the front of the rear view mirror (makes it think it's darker). Another suggestion is a piece of electricians tape covering about 3/4 of the sensor.

tbstout2 · 11-07-2005, 03:32 PM

I covered the entire sensor on the windsheild side of the wirror. It does get really dark once you turn the car on, but I simply turn the mirror off so it goes back to normal. At night I turn the mirror back on.

It NEVER gets dim enough in my opinion.

**efusco** · 11-07-2005, 03:35 PM

Rather than blue tape I suggest getting some scrap window tint material of various darkenesses from a local installer and taping on or more layers of those over the sensor until you find one that gives the degree of dimming you desire.

Alternatively, I have a parking tag that's designed to be hung from the rear-view mirror. A happy side effect of using that hanger is that it blocks a large amount of the light to the sensor causing significantly strong dimming than before.

**Tideland Prius** · 11-07-2005, 04:26 PM

Also, the mirror can be adjust up and down so try and move the mirror as far up as possible.

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11-07-2005, 02:44 PM	#1
jojov Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Does anybody know a way to calibrate the sensitivity of the auto-dimming mirror? Prius owners like us are likely to go blind. In this world of SUV's, we're all in perfect line-of-site of their headlights. I'd like my mirror to dim when sensing less brightness from headlights. How can I turn up the sensitivity? Thanks!

11-07-2005, 02:48 PM	#2
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	http://john1701a.com/ has information on that. Basically you put a blue piece of transparent plastic over the sensor in the front of the rear view mirror (makes it think it's darker). Another suggestion is a piece of electricians tape covering about 3/4 of the sensor.

11-07-2005, 03:32 PM	#3
tbstout2 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 153 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I covered the entire sensor on the windsheild side of the wirror. It does get really dark once you turn the car on, but I simply turn the mirror off so it goes back to normal. At night I turn the mirror back on. It NEVER gets dim enough in my opinion.

11-07-2005, 03:35 PM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 13,996 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 23	Rather than blue tape I suggest getting some scrap window tint material of various darkenesses from a local installer and taping on or more layers of those over the sensor until you find one that gives the degree of dimming you desire. Alternatively, I have a parking tag that's designed to be hung from the rear-view mirror. A happy side effect of using that hanger is that it blocks a large amount of the light to the sensor causing significantly strong dimming than before.

11-07-2005, 04:26 PM	#5
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,749 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Also, the mirror can be adjust up and down so try and move the mirror as far up as possible.