How do I know if my car has electric wing mirrors?
Electric wing mirrors are powered mirrors that can be adjusted, folded, and often heated or have indicators built in. You can usually tell by looking at the door-panel controls, any dedicated fold buttons, and by noting exterior features or official documentation. If you spot a power-adjustment joystick or a folding button, your car most likely has electric wing mirrors.
To determine this with confidence, inspect the interior controls, check the exterior mirror housing for indicators, and consult the vehicle’s manual or build sheet. This guide walks you through practical checks you can perform quickly to confirm whether your mirrors are electric and what features they include.
Identify power-adjustment controls inside the car
Inspect the driver’s door area for specific mirror controls. These interior cues are the most reliable in indicating electric wing mirrors.
Door panel indicators
- Power-adjustment control for the mirrors on the driver’s door, typically a small joystick or arrow pad with an L/R selector to choose left or right mirror.
- A separate fold button or switch (often with a folding-mirror icon) that retracts or deploys the mirrors remotely.
- Heated mirror control or a symbol indicating heated/defogging capability on the same panel.
- Occasionally, additional features such as memory presets or auto-dimming controls may appear on the control cluster.
Conclusion: If you find a dedicated mirror adjustment control plus a fold button on the door panel, your mirrors are electric, and they may also include heating or other comfort features.
Exterior signs and official documentation
Beyond the interior controls, you can verify via external features and the car’s official paperwork.
Exterior clues
- Mirrors with integrated turn signals on the housing, a common feature in modern cars with electric adjustment and folding.
- Visible indicators of heating or defogging capabilities on the mirror housing or in the vehicle’s feature list.
Conclusion: Exterior features like integrated indicators, plus a spec sheet listing power-adjustable or power-folding mirrors, provide strong confirmation of electric wing mirrors.
Documentation and VIN checks
When in doubt, consult official sources:
- Owner’s manual sections on mirror adjustment, folding, and heating.
- Vehicle specification (window sticker or online build sheet) that mentions “Power-adjustable mirrors” and/or “Power-folding mirrors.”
- VIN-based equipment lists from the manufacturer or authorized dealers.
Conclusion: Official documentation and VIN-labeled equipment lists are reliable ways to confirm not only that your mirrors are electric, but which features they include.
What to do if you’re unsure
If you still aren’t certain after these checks, contact a dealer or service center and provide your VIN to verify the mirror type and features. Taking photos of the door controls and mirror housings can also help when seeking assistance.
Summary
To determine whether your car has electric wing mirrors, look for a power-adjustment control and a fold button on the driver’s door panel, check for heated or auto-dimming features, inspect exterior mirror housings for indicators, and review the vehicle’s manual or official spec sheets. If these cues are present, you have electric wing mirrors, often accompanied by additional capabilities such as power folding and heating.
