3 Benefits of Modern-Day Mirrors + How to Replace & Set Them up on Your Camry

Since their introduction back in the 1960s, side mirrors have evolved quite a bit. The once flat pieces of glass have now become this multi-functional electronic assembly which can even help with blind spots. Puddle lamps, convex mirrors and indicator lights have been important milestones. There are even more benefits to modern day mirrors which is why more Camry owners decide to install feature-rich mirror assemblies.

Benefits

While there are a lot of features that make a Toyota Camry side mirror convenient, one of the most notable features are blind spot detection, heated mirrors and power folding. Equipping a new Toyota Camry mirror with blind spot detection is without a question a smart decision.

Blind spot detection works with the help of a sensor which is located on the side mirror itself. Once the system detects a car or any object, it will warn you visually or with a beep or vibration so you are aware. If you have an older Camry model, you can always put a blind spot mirror.

Heated mirrors will save you from scraping the frost off during cold months. This also prevents you from damaging your mirrors when you are late for work and you accidentally apply more pressure than you need to. Just turn on the rear defroster and your mirrors will start to heat up.

Power folding may not seem as a useful feature but when you want to get through a narrow area or park in a tight space you just need to press a button and you are good to go. It’s a simple feature that will also ensure that your Toyota Camry mirrors don’t get knocked off when you are parked.

How to Replace Side View Mirror Toyota Camry

This isn’t a complex installation and anyone with the right tools and some free time on their hands can make it work. Once you remove the old side mirror installing the new one is going to be a breeze. For this you’ll need a ratchet, trim tool set, Phillips head screwdriver and a 10 mm socket extension.

1. Start first by taking off the main switch bezel with the trim tool set. After you pry that off, disconnect the two connectors – use the trim tool set to push in and lift up on the inner part of the switch housing. Remove the Phillips screw near the main switch bezel and then pry off the small plastic cover behind the door handle and take out the Phillips screw behind it. Follow this up by taking off the plastic cover on the arm rest and then go on and remove the whole trim panel by prying on it using your hands.
2. As you go around the panel remove the plastic piece covering the three screws behind the side mirror. When you pull off the panel from the door, make sure you disconnect the plug from the marker light. In case a plastic door prong comes off, just snap it back in place. Once you have the door trim panel out of the way disconnect the plug coming from the side mirror by pushing on a tab on the side of it.
3. Get the 10mm socket and remove the three bolts holding your Toyota Camry mirror. When you get to the last one make sure you are holding the mirror and unscrewing it at the same time. Then just slide the mirror out of place and get the new one. Some mirrors have a clip that you’ll have to push down when taking it out.
4. Feed the wire of the new mirror through the hole, line up the guide pins and push inwards until the clip snaps on. Again, hold the mirror while you screw in the first bolt and continue by screwing in the other two (don’t use an electric drill) and reconnect the plug. Then just put everything back in place starting from the last thing you removed and making your way down to the very first.

How to Adjust Side Mirrors on 2019 Toyota Camry

The first thing to do before you position either of your Toyota Camry side mirror is to set the rear-view mirror correctly. To do this, start by setting your rear-view mirror as you’d normally set it and then lean all the way to the right so you have your head against the window.

Whilst in that position, set your right side view mirror so that you are able to see the back corner of your vehicle. When you’ve done that, lean towards the left about as far as you did when leaning towards the right and set he left side view mirror so you can see the corner of your vehicle.

For this next step you need to make sure you are parked on the side of the road because you’ll need cars to drive past. When a car passes by, you should see it first in the rear-view mirror and then to the left or right, but this needs to happen smoothly. As the left/ right headlight disappears from the rear-view mirror, it should immediately go over to your right or left side view mirror (depending on which side the vehicle is passing by). There should be no delay during this transition from one mirror to the other.