Why is Mazda so obtuse about heated side mirrors?

[wildside50]

Heated side mirrors, the staple of any good "cold weather package" from many manufacturers, are a valuable selling feature to those of us that live in Minnesota. Heated seats are all the rage, but when I'm wearing jeans, long underwear, sweat pants, or a parka, do I really care if my seat is heated? I'm in a cocoon of warmth already. So why did it take me a dozen Google searches, and several forum trolling's to come to the conclusion that the heated side mirrors A) exist and B) are activated by turning on the rear defrost? The mirrors display no heated emblem, there is no button for them to be activated, and the users manual fails to even mention their existence. One of the primary reasons I purchased a GT model this weekend over a touring was the heated side mirrors. I didn't want leather. I didn't want 19" wheels that have very few tire options when the OEM's wear out. I didn't want to pay $200 more for the tech package. I went GT for the heated mirrors. Don't make it so confusing.

/rant

 

[xtrailman]

All the cars I've had to heated mirrors have been operated in tandem with the rear screen demist button.

What I find annoying is the folding mirror switch, its fiddly and should be on a separate switch.

 

[wildside50]

All the cars I've had to heated mirrors have been operated in tandem with the rear screen demist button.

What I find annoying is the folding mirror switch, its fiddly and should be on a separate switch.

In each of your past experiences, was it always the case that the mirrors displayed no heater indication, the user manual did not mention the mirrors as heated, and 3 separate salespeople were unaware of the existence of the heated mirrors? If so, then your past experience has colored your expectations and as such it was as-expected. If not, then Mazda is being obtuse. Either way, as a heated side mirror neophyte, it is cumbersome and unclear. One ought not be required to experience a cold, winter morning to realize that a defrost button press activates a feature accidentally.

 

[psam]

heated mirrors

In each of your past experiences, was it always the case that the mirrors displayed no heater indication, the user manual did not mention the mirrors as heated, and 3 separate salespeople were unaware of the existence of the heated mirrors? If so, then your past experience has colored your expectations and as such it was as-expected. If not, then Mazda is being obtuse. Either way, as a heated side mirror neophyte, it is cumbersome and unclear. One ought not be required to experience a cold, winter morning to realize that a defrost button press activates a feature accidentally.

In the UK,heated mirrors are standard and only ever come on when the heated rear screen is activated.
Interestingly my wife's little Suzuki swift has the heated rear screen logo on the mirrors.
Makes it less confusing I guess.

 

[dad of jon]

Heated side mirrors, the staple of any good "cold weather package" from many manufacturers, are a valuable selling feature to those of us that live in Minnesota. Heated seats are all the rage, but when I'm wearing jeans, long underwear, sweat pants, or a parka, do I really care if my seat is heated? I'm in a cocoon of warmth already. So why did it take me a dozen Google searches, and several forum trolling's to come to the conclusion that the heated side mirrors A) exist and B) are activated by turning on the rear defrost? The mirrors display no heated emblem, there is no button for them to be activated, and the users manual fails to even mention their existence. One of the primary reasons I purchased a GT model this weekend over a touring was the heated side mirrors. I didn't want leather. I didn't want 19" wheels that have very few tire options when the OEM's wear out. I didn't want to pay $200 more for the tech package. I went GT for the heated mirrors. Don't make it so confusing.

/rant

Hi, in the uk brochure its clearly stated as a standard feature across the range. It's strange the US brochure wasn't as clear. I can't recall reading how to activate it in the manual. I just assumed it would be activated at the same time as the rear defrost, as per all my other cars that had headed mirrors. it's not standard on all cars in the uk as my sirion doesn't have them. There have been occasions when the side mirrors are clear and the the rear windscreen isn't. it would be nice if they could be done separately. The rear windscreen demist is on a timer anyway so that's not to bad. perhaps if it was a multipress button with 2 leds to show when which defrosting was on

you can understand why they put it with the rear demist as it saves a button on the dash.

 

[TreyP]

Heated side mirrors, the staple of any good "cold weather package" from many manufacturers, are a valuable selling feature to those of us that live in Minnesota. Heated seats are all the rage, but when I'm wearing jeans, long underwear, sweat pants, or a parka, do I really care if my seat is heated? I'm in a cocoon of warmth already. So why did it take me a dozen Google searches, and several forum trolling's to come to the conclusion that the heated side mirrors A) exist and B) are activated by turning on the rear defrost? The mirrors display no heated emblem, there is no button for them to be activated, and the users manual fails to even mention their existence. One of the primary reasons I purchased a GT model this weekend over a touring was the heated side mirrors. I didn't want leather. I didn't want 19" wheels that have very few tire options when the OEM's wear out. I didn't want to pay $200 more for the tech package. I went GT for the heated mirrors. Don't make it so confusing.

/rant

I understand your frustration, but a little more research would have saved you a few thousand since you don't care about the other GT features. I added my own heated mirrors to the Touring for around $130. I also posted a How To Install Heated Mirrors thread in this very forum.

 

[Chas]

Heated Mirrors are in the US Owners Manual....

Heated side mirrors, the staple of any good "cold weather package" from many manufacturers, are a valuable selling feature to those of us that live in Minnesota. Heated seats are all the rage, but when I'm wearing jeans, long underwear, sweat pants, or a parka, do I really care if my seat is heated? I'm in a cocoon of warmth already. So why did it take me a dozen Google searches, and several forum trolling's to come to the conclusion that the heated side mirrors A) exist and B) are activated by turning on the rear defrost? The mirrors display no heated emblem, there is no button for them to be activated, and the users manual fails to even mention their existence. One of the primary reasons I purchased a GT model this weekend over a touring was the heated side mirrors. I didn't want leather. I didn't want 19" wheels that have very few tire options when the OEM's wear out. I didn't want to pay $200 more for the tech package. I went GT for the heated mirrors. Don't make it so confusing.

/rant

...but I agree it is somewhat hidden, even with the terminology, "Mirror Defroster." See Page 4-66 2014 CX-5 OM.

Mirror Defroster

To turn on the mirror defrosters, switch
the ignition ON and press the rear window
defroster switch (page 4-66).

The side mirror defrost button seems to have gone the way of the Dodo bird in the 90's, being combined with the rear defrost button, although it is true that often the rear defrost button also has a side mirror with a heating element on the button.

Lack of that little extra symbol I look at as a cost saving measure.

 

[Latitude Adj.]

"and 3 separate salespeople were unaware of the existence of the heated mirrors?"

Having worked for dealers as a parts manager a salesperson is usually the last I would ask for info. The GM and a salesmen who both said they drove CX-7's told me the CX-7 only had one power outlet, it had two. I bought my CX-5 from Maple Shade Mazda and the sales people there know the Mazda. When I said I wanted a Mazda6 wagon they knew what I was talking about, another dealer tried to tell me Mazda didn't make a 6 wagon.

Yes the Mazda manual leaves some things out but I figured out the mirrors were on the same switch as the rear defroster. Now my old SAAB had everything separate, that window roller shade chain hanging out of the dash was a good conversation starter!

 

[xtrailman]

It is unclear if you haven't come across it before.

Both my xtrails were that way, so perhaps its a Japanese thing?

I always research a cars spec before I buy one so I know what equipment it has, then its just a case of finding out how it operates.
Its a cost saving.

In each of your past experiences, was it always the case that the mirrors displayed no heater indication, the user manual did not mention the mirrors as heated, and 3 separate salespeople were unaware of the existence of the heated mirrors? If so, then your past experience has colored your expectations and as such it was as-expected. If not, then Mazda is being obtuse. Either way, as a heated side mirror neophyte, it is cumbersome and unclear. One ought not be required to experience a cold, winter morning to realize that a defrost button press activates a feature accidentally.

 

[MikeM.]

...but I agree it is somewhat hidden, even with the terminology, "Mirror Defroster." See Page 4-66 2014 CX-5 OM.

In the 2013 CX-5 Owner's Manual it's on page 4-52 (under switches and controls).

 

[wildside50]

For those that pointed out where it was in the manual; thank you. Here's why I couldn't find it. The feature, online and on the window sticker, is listed as "Heated Power Mirrors". I first went to the mirror section of the manual; no mention. I then searched the pdf for the word "Heated power", none found. Then "Heated mirror", none found. So then I just went with "heated", which is found 8 times in the manual, but never in reference to the side mirrors. As those of you have read the section know, they are referred to as "mirror defrosters" and located under the "Rear defrost" section of the manual. While I still find that odd, giving it two different names and not mentioning it in the mirror section, I am less disquieted now that I know it is in there. Thanks for showing me the light!

 

[wildside50]

I understand your frustration, but a little more research would have saved you a few thousand since you don't care about the other GT features. I added my own heated mirrors to the Touring for around $130. I also posted a How To Install Heated Mirrors thread in this very forum.

I was being a little facetious about my opinion of the GT package. It had a few things I really wanted (Sirius, the heated mirrors, the advanced keyless entry), and my wife liked a few others. We have no regrets about going GT. I was just on a rant. I did read your write-up before purchase actually.

 

[lcann25]

I have to chime in here because I've been reading a lot about different models having different features depending on what country you live in, but I can say from what I've read, the Canadian GS (Touring in US) model seems to have the best options for the money available, why isn't this the same in the US?? who knows. EVERY GS(Touring) comes standard with sunroof, rain sensing wipers, heated CLOTH seats that will roast your buns within 15 seconds of turning them on, backup camera, and auto on/off headlights. There are no additional option packages you can add to this model. Going to the GT only upgrades the wheels, leather seats, dual zone, and Bose. I actually drove a GT and didn't like it at all, It actually felt cheaper than the GS model below. The Bose doesn't sound any better, the leather seats aren't as comfy as the cloth and they hardly heat up at all, the 19" wheels make the vehicle ride way too firm, and the dual zone is too fiddly.