Switch on the sideview mirror

[Eagle7]

I was cleaning my car last night, when I just happened to wipe all around the sideview mirror on the right side of the car, and to my surprise, there's a switch button underneath it! There isn't one on the left sideview mirror, only the right side. Does anybody have any idea what this is for?

 

[EspritGuy]

I was cleaning my car last night, when I just happened to wipe all around the sideview mirror on the right side of the car, and to my surprise, there's a switch button underneath it! There isn't one on the left sideview mirror, only the right side. Does anybody have any idea what this is for?

Interesting. Checked and I have same. Searched and found nothing in Lotus Service Manual (also odd, should a mirror require repair).
Wonder if it has a 'detection' or release function? It doesn't slide or toggle.
Would be curious if unique to LHD cars?
Something else to add to Lotus mystique.

 

[DriverMod]

I had to go out and check my car; it has the same little nubbin of a switch under the passenger mirror (US right hand side).
I was able to click the switch sideways but nothing happened so I put it back where it was.
Weird.

 

[kitkat]

Are you guys telling me you've been neglecting to press the switch every 108 minutes?

 

[Porter]

It appears to be a sensor of some kind, it's not a switch. From the context clues and the "tip" extending into airflow slightly, my guess is that this is the ambient outside air temp sensor.

Oddly, it doesn't show in the factory service manual because they only have the LH mirror assembly instructions.

Picture of mine:

 

[seriously]

Are you guys telling me you've been neglecting to press the switch every 108 minutes?

I like this reference.

 

[Blackthought_]

Not me. I press it every time I go for a drive as it improves gas mileage.

Are you guys telling me you've been neglecting to press the switch every 108 minutes?

 

[kitkat]

I like this reference.

Unfortunately I think it might be lost on some of the audience.

 

[KAR120C]

The importance of that sensor lies in it’s strength in it’s ability to sense. And by sense, recognize things that are important that should be sensed.

 

[EspritGuy]

Not me. I press it every time I go for a drive as it improves gas mileage.

Road object clearance/ride height detector.
Mirror object clarifier/image eraser.
Wind turbulence modifier
Well, why not?

 

[SSJAR]

I was curious and it is a Friday.... Went out and sure enough, it is the ambient air temp sensor. Turned the car on and it was sitting at 95 degrees. Placed a bag of ice on the sensor and it immediately started coming down in temp. Attached are some images.

 

[SSJAR]

I apologize if I took some of the fun out of guessing....

 

[EspritGuy]

I apologize if I took some of the fun out of guessing....

Your answer gave me chills, and changed the ambience.
Apology accepted, begrudgingly
@Eagle7 - you are free to go about your business
This is no reflection on the rest of you
The Emira - now with heated trunk and cold beer authenticator

 

[Porter]

I was curious and it is a Friday.... Went out and sure enough, it is the ambient air temp sensor. Turned the car on and it was sitting at 95 degrees. Placed a bag of ice on the sensor and it immediately started coming down in temp. Attached are some images. View attachment 48818View attachment 48819View attachment 48820

Thanks for making me look smart with my wild guess!

 

[Vampyre]

it's a temp sensor, most cars have these mounted there.

 

[seriously]

Unfortunately I think it might be lost on some of the audience.

Some choose to believe it’s an ordinary temp sensor.

 

[SONOFEMERY]

Given the hullabaloo about hot radiator air from the hood vents coming into the cabin when the windows are open, I wonder if having the outside temp sensor there could skew the reading when driving

 

[PsymonR]

Well that's my new thing to learn for the day sorted and its only just after 10am here .

Just for completeness I can confirm that the sensor is also present on the right hand mirror for UK RHD cars.

 

[Kimmax]

I was curious and it is a Friday.... Went out and sure enough, it is the ambient air temp sensor. Turned the car on and it was sitting at 95 degrees. Placed a bag of ice on the sensor and it immediately started coming down in temp. Attached are some images. View attachment 48818View attachment 48819View attachment 48820

uhhh what's the app? I thought they banned all OBD readers from car play. Sideloaded?

 

[Nick Sticks]

uhhh what's the app? I thought they banned all OBD readers from car play. Sideloaded?

I was wondering that, I'd just started googling....