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Automatic retracting folding mirror research project

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Discussion starter · #21 ·
Riddle me this fans of automatic retracting mirrors:

(unless the Toyota website is wrong and the owners manual is wrong)

Why does the new Venza get the automatic retracting mirrors??????

Those DO have have a single setting to program via TechStream. Worth probing to see if the functionality exists already.....
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
Vangm25 said:
Because it's a Venza.
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NO, NO, NO, what is interesting is that the automatic retract function is offered in a North American Toyota. This means the motor assembly is in the North American Toyota parts stream. This is a departure from the idea that this feature is reserved for Lexus in our market.

This mirror looks like it shares parts with the RAV4 and hence may be like our Gen 4 Highlander.
 
#24 ·
Ruby Red said:
NO, NO, NO, what is interesting is that the automatic retract function is offered in a North American Toyota. This means the motor assembly is in the North American Toyota parts stream. This is a departure from the idea that this feature is reserved for Lexus in our market. This mirror looks like it shares parts with the RAV4 and hence may be like our Gen 4 Highlander.
Click to expand...
If we assume that the electronics are going to be the challenge, and not the physical operation, I would think that it's much closer in operation and function and overall vehicle design timeline to the new Venza, where it's on all of the Limited versions as part of a package.
 
#25 ·
Under what conditions would you want it to retract automatically?

I can definitely see a use for it when pulling in a tight space or going to the car wash, but those would be manual operations.
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
dklanecky said:
If we assume that the electronics are going to be the challenge, and not the physical operation, I would think that it's much closer in operation and function and overall vehicle design timeline to the new Venza, where it's on all of the Limited versions as part of a package.
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It Is not a stretch in my mind to have offered it, at least, for the Highlander Platinum. Maybe they will for the model refresh......the precedent for the function in similar North America Toyotas now exists.

I have had a few close calls with those elephant ears. Others likely too.

The kit covers the bases, though. But not with factory parts. Although the kit drive assembly could well be OE production over run or (let’s hope not) factory seconds.

If you look at the Venza owners manual, you may note, like other cars with the function, that the switch escutcheon incorporates the automatic retract switch. This is an issue for us. The kit requires the user to locate this switch ”somewhere.” In my case I have an available spot in the switch panel in the lower left of the dash. A factory version likely would use a whole different switch panel. I can live with the nearby switch location.

The Highlander / Kruger is not a world model like the RAV4 or, perhaps, Venza. I did not realize this until I visited various world wide Toyota websites. We are lucky they overhauled our model.

So we do have a solution, but I prefer it if were to use factory parts. I am not a huge fan of aftermarket items for long term use. If it breaks one may not be able to repair it.

Automatic retracting is a feature the bigger Toyotas need, even in North America where we also have tight spots we need to squeeze our monsters into.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
toto said:
Under what conditions would you want it to retract automatically?

I can definitely see a use for it when pulling in a tight space or going to the car wash, but those would be manual operations.
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You jest, right? Tongue firmly in cheek?

My use cases include parking lots, food drive throughs, garage parking, and other tight (for our size) situations. It is impractical or a pita for most of those situations to get out and later get out again to flatten the ears.

It is a safety thing for people walking past the vehicle too. Mirrors (and these are expensive multifunction ones) get snagged and damaged all the time. The added cost of the function far far less than repairing a damaged mirror assembly.

Remember the Highlander footprint is bigger than most of the Toyota lineup. The bigger models need this as a safety feature.
 
#28 ·
No, I don't jest at all. I get the idea of power folding mirrors in certain situations, but not the automatic part.

I've never thought of the Highlander as being that big. So is the point of auto folding mirrors to fold them whenever you put the car in Park? It's just not something I've ever worried about when parking the car. I don't ever parallel park on a street, so maybe that's why.
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
mobgma said:
Waiting for someone to buy the parts from middle east!
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I can not navigate their parts website......the site stops being in English.....grrrr

Look close at the pictures and specs. There are more differences.

Plus no online owners manuals.
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
toto said:
No, I don't jest at all. I get the idea of power folding mirrors in certain situations, but not the automatic part.

I've never thought of the Highlander as being that big. So is the point of auto folding mirrors to fold them whenever you put the car in Park? It's just not something I've ever worried about when parking the car. I don't ever parallel park on a street, so maybe that's why.
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All in what you used to and the environment.

I have 3 car garage. Ruby barely fits. I use the cameras to squeeze her in.

Many shopping parking lots have every narrow spots here.

I have had issues in drive through lines with the ears sticking out.

She is slightly rotund.

The automatic retracting has become important to me.
 
#35 ·
mobgma said:
Waiting for someone to buy the parts from middle east!
Click to expand...
Really it's probably just finding the part numbers and then you could probably find them pretty easily. I would probably try the aftermarket install but it's a bit more than I want to do on a new vehicle. It looks easy, just a lot of part removal and potential to break something new.
 
#36 ·
Ruby Red said:
NO, NO, NO, what is interesting is that the automatic retract function is offered in a North American Toyota. This means the motor assembly is in the North American Toyota parts stream. This is a departure from the idea that this feature is reserved for Lexus in our market.

This mirror looks like it shares parts with the RAV4 and hence may be like our Gen 4 Highlander.
Click to expand...
The Sienna also comes with Auto folding mirrors in Limited trim
 
#40 ·
Ruby Red said:
Looked at a friends new 2021 Forerunner and it has the same mirror but with a different base. Looks like they are standardizing the mirrors.
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When I did my sequential signal lights I took pictures of the folding mechanism and the bracket that is attached to the motor for the Highlander do not look anything like the Rav4, 4 Runner, Sienna nor Landcruiser. My think is can we take the mounting bracket out and swap it with another kit like the Rav4.
 
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