Features You May Lose When Upgrading to Clearview Towing Mirrors — Things to Check Before You Buy

Upgrading your 4WD with third-party towing mirrors is something many Australians do. It is only a logical thing, more so when you take your car to the outback or coastal roads. Those driving caravans or trailers benefit greatly from these car accessories. However, keep in mind that changing your old mirror and installing a new one may not always be a cakewalk. 

You need to do your homework carefully and get the right model for your usage needs. 

When you install any aftermarket part, some functionality in the car may be affected. The same applies to external towing mirrors. You should focus on a few important factors.

• Integrated blind-spot monitoring

Modern Utes and SUVs come fitted with company mirrors with blind-spot sensors. Clearview mirrors fit a wide range of vehicles. However, in some models, the sensor systems may not work well.

The blind-spot alert feature may not work well. So, check with your car manufacturer about the compatibility with a third-party mirror. Some installers can recalibrate sensors, though.

• Heating feature 

Foggy mornings on the Great Ocean Road can add to your driving woes. Or, think of the occasional storms in the outback. In such situations, heated mirrors can be so useful. Now, the tricky thing is that not all third-party mirrors come with a heating feature. Check about this if you drive a lot outdoors in varying climate conditions. 

• Power-folding feature

For city driving or cruising on the highways, power-folding mirrors are convenient. Some Clearview Towing Mirrors support power-folding, but some do not. So, you must check these factors carefully before ordering a model. 

• Integrated indicators and puddle lights

Many factory mirrors now ship with LED indicators or puddle lights. This is necessary for additional safety and convenience. When you swap the regular car mirror for an external one, these handy features will go away. To make up for that, buy third-party mirrors coming with similar features. 

• Camera systems or reverse cameras

Some of the new and high-end 4WDs integrate cameras into their mirrors. This helps drivers get a 360° view of parking. Changing to Clearview Towing Mirrors can affect these feeds. That can be a problem when you take the car to a crowded parking lot. 

Other factors to keep in mind

Towing mirrors are wider and bulkier than factory mirrors. That does not affect fuel economy much, but you may observe some air drag. This is something you'll observe during those long Outback drives or coastal tours.

Some vehicles may need extra wiring or relays to maintain all features. If you skip this, the result will be inconsistent power folding and non-functional indicators. For this, you will need professional installation. It is better not to try this on your own.

Summing it up

Setting up external towing mirrors can be useful. However, based on the model you choose, some car features may become non-functional. Always do your research well before you start looking for such third-party car parts. You can check out portals like Brixton4x4.com.au to get a clear idea of compatible mirror models.