Folding Mirrors

[jmazz77]

Hi All.. NewB here. I have an '06 Corolla S. 39k miles. Just wondering if there is a decent aftermarket company that offers power folding rear view mirrors for the '06?? Or if the ones on the newer models would bolt on?

I would really like to get the folding mirrors just b/c of where I live. People can't drive and I'm always afraid of coming out in the morning to a "clipped" mirror.. lol

I don't need the turn signal thing on it or the heated feature b/c it wouldn't work anyway.

Other than that, I am pretty satisfied with the Corolla. I am the 2nd owner. First owner was my father in law. Only other thing I wish it had was ABS, 5-spd & sunroof. And I wish the intermittent wiper function had more adjust-ability.

I average 30mpg, city or highway driving. I don't know how some guys claim they get 35+.. Maybe they have a stick. I have an auto.

I just switched over to full synthetic Mobil 1 on the last oil change to extend engine life. Only major repair it has needed so far was the D/S rear wheel bearing went @ 35k miles.. Odd.

Other than that in the spring I plan on doing a bunch on PM on the car. Flush brake fluid, coolant & trans fluid.Replace Serpentine belt, battery(still has original) & inspect everything.. Car should be good to go.

[jmazz77]

P.S. have any of you had to get the valves adjusted on your Corolla? Getting a ticking sound on cold start ups.. Eventually goes away.

If so, did you go to a dealer and how much did they charge you? Or if anyone knows the book-time on the job?

I can probably do it myself. Everything is easy to get to and I've adjusted valves on older SBC engines.. Just never did an OHV engine. Might not want to mess with it. lol

[MasterTecInSTL]

I've never heard of any kind of folding power mirrors on these. I think you're overreacting just a bit about how people drive. If they are likely going to damage your mirrors then they are likely going to damage your car in general and until Jetsons' technology becomes real there is no way to fold your car up into a briefcase and take it inside with you.

ABS, 5-speed, Sunroof were all options when the car was purchased new and since it obviously didn't have these when you purchased (or obtained) it used you kind of waived your right to complain about it! hah

My G/F's '03 Auto averages about 33-34MPG but her and I both drive it very light-footed and her drive to work is about 12 miles of nonstop 50-55MPH roads and about 5 miles of light stop and go traffic.

As far as adjusting the valves.. it can be done but not easily. First you have to measure the valve clearance. If it is out of spec then you have to record by how much. Then you have to remove the camshafts and lifters. Then you have to measure the thickness of the lifters. Then you add the thickness of the lifters and how much out of spec the valve clearance is and then order new thicker lifters with the thickness of that new calculated value.

Labor time of this operation is 4.0 hours plus parts... put in simple terms "several hundred dollars" at least plus the time the car is out of service while the thicker spacers are being ordered.

Basically if it's that out of whack you're probably best off pulling the head and having the valves reworked anyway. I can't imagine this would be necessary at 39k miles.

[jmazz77]

Thanks MasterTech. The mirrors don't have to be power. Manual is fine too.. I am almost positive I have seen them on a Corolla. Might have been a newer model. I just wasn't clear about the power thing.

I don't know how familiar you are with Brooklyn,NY.. But it isn't uncommon to get your mirror taken off here. And they won't leave a note or anything. Just keep driving. It has happened several times on my block. If there is a way to avoid it, without completely folding up my car and putting it in my pocket, then I would like to.<insert sarcasm> lol If the option isn't there, then so-be-it. Was just curious if they are available, is all.

As far as the valves go, yeah, I'm not about to mess with that.. The ticking on cold-start isn't constant, just once in a while. And being there is no "adjustment", like on the older cars I am use to working on, I will leave it be. I doubt any lifters are worn or anything like that.

The first 27k miles of the car's life were all highway/country road miles. Since I have gotten it, they have been relatively easy, but mostly stop n go city miles. Occasional hwy trip which is about 125 miles one way. My commute is 11 miles one way, but all city driving. So for what it is, I am happy to get 30mpg in that. If I were to drive it to say, Florida, I am sure I would see the mpg increase on a long trip like that with more steady cruising speeds.

Anyways, thanks a lot for that info on the valves.. Hopefully it isn't something I will have to concern myself with for a long time. And if/when I do, a dealer will be doing the job.

[Duke91]

they do make them for 9th gens, ill try to get you the link