How do I know if my Subaru has heated mirrors?
Heated mirrors are present if you see a heated-mirror control on the door panel or the mirrors warm up when you turn on the rear window defroster.
Subaru models vary by year and trim, so check your owner’s manual, the window sticker, or Subaru’s official specifications for your exact car to confirm.
Where to look for signs
Use these indicators to identify heated mirrors on a Subaru:
- A dedicated heated-mirror control on the driver’s door switch panel, often marked with a mirror icon and wavy heat lines.
- In some vehicles, a small heated-mirror symbol may appear on the mirror housing or glass when the feature is active.
- Most Subarus with heated mirrors will also activate when you turn on the rear window defroster (defrost) as a convenience feature.
- Availability varies by model year and trim; consult the official spec sheet or window sticker for your exact vehicle.
If you can locate any of the indicators above, you can be confident your car has heated mirrors. If not, verify through documentation or a dealer.
How to test them
To confirm heating functionality, perform a quick test on a cold morning or after the vehicle has been parked outside:
- Turn on the rear window defroster using the climate control button.
- Wait about 30 seconds to 1 minute and place your hand near the exterior of each mirror to feel for warmth.
- If the mirrors become noticeably warm, heated mirrors are installed and active.
- If you don’t feel heat, recheck the switch, trim level, or consult the manual to see if heated mirrors are included with your configuration (some markets and trims may not include them).
Note: In some models, heated mirrors might be tied to a specific option package or only available in certain climates or trims. If in doubt, rely on official documentation or a Subaru dealer for confirmation.
Model-year and trim variations
Heated exterior mirrors are not guaranteed on every Subaru model or year. They are more commonly included on mid-to-high-trim levels or as part of a cold-weather or winter package, and availability can differ by country or market.
To determine exactly what your car has, check the original window sticker, the owner’s manual, or the official Subaru product pages for your model and year. A dealer can also confirm whether heated mirrors are equipped on your specific vehicle.
Documentation and official sources
When in doubt, consult these sources to confirm heated-mirror presence:
- Owner’s manual section on exterior mirrors and climate controls.
- Original window sticker or vehicle build sheet for your year and trim.
- Subaru’s official website/spec sheets for your model and year.
- Contact a Subaru dealer’s service or sales department for a definitive answer.
Document-based confirmation ensures you know for certain, especially if you’re considering a used Subaru or shopping across trims and years.
Summary
To determine if your Subaru has heated mirrors, look for a dedicated heated-mirror control on the driver’s door, or test by turning on the rear defroster and feeling for warmth at the mirrors. Availability depends on model year and trim, so verify with the owner's manual, window sticker, or official Subaru specifications. If still unclear, ask a dealer to confirm for your exact vehicle.
How do I turn on my Subaru defroster?
You operate the system by pressing the designated defrost button on the car's control panel, which automatically turns on the front defroster and moves air to the right vents.
How to turn on heated mirrors on a Subaru Forester 2025?
To turn on the heated mirrors in a 2025 Subaru Forester, press the button for the rear window defroster, as the heated mirrors are activated simultaneously with it. The button is likely located on the right side of the infotainment touchscreen, but some models might have a physical button on the dashboard.
This video explains how to turn on the rear defroster and heated mirrors: 53sSteven WelchYouTube · Nov 30, 2020
- Find the rear defroster button: Look for a button on the climate control panel or touchscreen with an icon representing a defroster grid for the rear window.
- Press the button: A single press of this button will activate the rear window defroster and simultaneously turn on the heated mirrors.
- Check for the indicator light: A light on the button or within the infotainment screen will illuminate to show that the system is active.
How do I know if my mirrors are heated or not?
It's going to be. It's going to indicate it it's right here you see this little icon that's a heated mirror icon. Now will all of them have it the answer is no not all of them have it but it's.
How to turn on side mirror defrost subaru outback?
E Defroster button/ Rear window defogger button 1 Defroster button: Press the button to defrost the windshield. 1 2 Rear window defogger button: Press the button to turn on rear window defogger, outside mirror defogger and windshield wiper deicer (if equipped).
