Description And Operation: Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2024 Kia Forte. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The ECM (Electro Chromatic inside rear view Mirror) is one that automatically dims to protect the driver's eyes when it senses light reflecting from the car behind. The sensor in the mirror detects the brightness and if the headlight from the car behind is reflected on the mirror, the chemical layer inside the mirror reacts to glare and adjusts the reflectivity from 10 to 70%. When switching to the reverse gear, the mirror becomes bright regardless of the surrounding. The ECM receives voltage, ground and reverse gear signals, and uses two sensors to measure the intensity of glaring.
- The forward facing sensor determines whether the surrounding space is dark enough to activate the function.
- The rearward facing sensor detects the glare on the mirror. If the glare is detected, the sensor transmits the signal for the mirror to dim
- The ECM is darkened to the level as determined by the rearward looking sensor. When the glaring is no longer detected, the mirror stops functioning.
(1. LED indicator, 2. ON/OFF Switch, 3. Rearward looking sensor, 4. Forward looking sensor)