MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Heated mirrors

You may or not be aware that the rear view mirrors on either door of the MG ZS (and probably ZR and ZT) are permanently heated.

Brett
Brett

We are now!
Thanks Brett.
Mega

and the F and the TF and the Rover 200 and the 75 and the 800s and the Vauxhall Carlton and the Cavalier... In fact the last car I had without this feature was probably my 77 Morris Marina!

Cheers

Patrick
Patrick

My Maestro and Montegos had the same heated mirrors!, why do you think I bought a ZS, how can anyone live without them !! :-)
Kelvin

Surely permanently heated external mirrors is a gross waste of energy when you only actually benefit during only a small proportion of days in the winter months. I've heard of some heated mirrors operating in conjunction with heated rear windscreen so at least the elements aren't all all the time and there's a good chance you'll be defrosting the back window at same time as wanting clear mirrors. Also some cars have low temperature warning aids which in turn switch the things on when 3 degrees C or less. But having them on all the time annoys me now I've been told!
Findlay

Not true Findlay, the alternator is permanently engaged and must generate more electricity than the car can consume even when idling or you would be for ever at the side of the road with a flat battery. A VERY small amount of this surplus heats the mirrors.

They could stick some switch in the circuit but this would not save any petrol and would add extra expense and provide one more thing to go wrong!

Don't get annoyed by trivia!

Cheers

Patrick
Patrick

Gents...the heated door mirrors are not on all the time..if fitted....they are switched on when you use the Heated Rear Window.
cecil kimber

Patrick...do alternators continue to charge the battery at the same rate all the time, regardless of the live state of the battery? i.e. if the battery was near fully charges, would the alternator continue to charge at the same rate as if it were nearly flat? I was of the impression that we had the technology around these days to do that and therefore reduce energy wastage. If not, then surely continual use of the heated mirrors reduces their lifespan compared with ones used intermittently.

cecil...I'm only going on what I've been told. But I'm gonna start feeling the mirror surface from time to time now to check for myself!!!
Findlay

Cecil, I think you've been out of circulation for a bit too long (how is octangonal heaven at the moment anyway?). The heated door mirrors ARE on the whole time, and this is a very useful feature in our inclement climate as it allows the mirrors to clear of water (rain or road spray) as well as ice. Result: good rear visibility all year round. Shame the side windows aren't heated in the same way ;o)
Rob Bell

Cecil, on our Rover 414, the rear view mirror heaters work when the rear screen heater is on.

On my MG ZS 120 the rear view mirror heaters are on as soon as you turn the key regardless of the rear screen heater.

Brett

Chaps

I stand corrected. I was going on the last Rover I had.. a '93 420. And to be honest I can not see much advantage of them being on all the time, except manufacturing economics.

As for octagonal heaven…it is hell now! You see they don’t make Old Speckled Hen ale here in Abingdon any more. And no matter what anybody says I can taste a difference and in my estimation it not so good now it is made in East Anglia. On the plus side the MGCC is going from strength to strength.

Cecil Kimber

This thread was discussed between 24/03/2002 and 26/03/2002

MG ZR ZS ZT Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG ZR ZS ZT Technical BBS now