Powerfold mirrors and icy weather

[Gmw76]

Hi

Has anyone had experience of powerfold mirrors in icy weather? Mine auto fold with locking and I am worried that the mechanism will be strained or broken if I switch on the ignition during icy weather. Any help appreciated.

Mark

[steveatesh]

Gmw76 said:

Hi

Has anyone had experience of powerfold mirrors in icy weather? Mine auto fold with locking and I am worried that the mechanism will be strained or broken if I switch on the ignition during icy weather. Any help appreciated.

Mark

Mine has lived on the drive since new, last three winters were bitter cold. No problem experienced with the power fold mirrors at all, however a small metal monkey I keep in the car kept trying to find something it had lost, apparently.

Just to show you how bad the weather was, we had to put the BBQ away for a week or two, too!

[Gmw76]

Ok thanks for that. I dont know if the mirrors have a direct drive with cogs etc and are just man enough to cope or whether the drive will slip and avoid forcing a break.

If there is ice, do they simply crunch through it or fail to move.

Sorry but as a new owner there are a number of questions already springing to mind.

Had the thing 3 days and guess what. Emission service light up already. So glad people on here have trodden this well worn path. It saved me panicking.

Mark

[steveatesh]

Ok if there is obvious ice or snow piled on the mirror, then remove it before getting in the car, just in case.

To be honest I can not recall a time when they didn't open as they should, but just be vigilant with piled snow.

You will go through the whole rainbow of emotions with the car, they are fabulous to own and drive BUT the slightest perception something is not all it should be results in Neurotic Aston owner syndrome! a well known condition that afflicts us all, well nearly all

However, they are not prima donnas and like to be driven daily if possible. The engine and running gear are solid, any problems you do experience will likely be a module or 'stat or sensor of some description!

I have to say that having Aston neurosis is a good problem! the alternative being you don't have an Aston of course

[8Tech]

Unless you trickle water in the pivot, it should not bridge the gap and ice up anyway. I suppose that there could be a situation where snow partially melts on the folded mirror and then refreezes but I would just take a pot of warm water and melt it down before I unlocked the car.

If you used a top cover, then you could prevent that too.

If you are leaving it out, then a top cover takes less time to remove and install than sitting there trying to defrost and de-ice the windows anyway.

[V8 Animal]

Folding mirrors are not unique to AM other manufactures seem to manage.

[Impasse]

Aren't these ones from a Volvo? Y'know that manufacturer who engineers their cars to operate at -500 degrees.

[montecristo]

steveatesh said:

However, they are not prima donnas and like to be driven daily if possible.

I hear this a lot, what does it mean, what physically happens to the car when it's just sitting there, that damages it?

[jazzyjeff]

montecristo said:

steveatesh said:

However, they are not prima donnas and like to be driven daily if possible.

I hear this a lot, what does it mean, what physically happens to the car when it's just sitting there, that damages it?

Things seize up or dry out, just like on any little-used car?

[Bincenzo]

montecristo said:

steveatesh said:

However, they are not prima donnas and like to be driven daily if possible.

I hear this a lot, what does it mean, what physically happens to the car when it's just sitting there, that damages it?

Don't panic, they're equally at home in the garage during the week and ready for a drive at the weekend. Well, at least mine is. Leaving for over about 3 weeks, you may wish to consider putting the battery on a conditioner to prevent that draining. If stored for a long time, then you'd need to look at a variety of things to prevent seals perishing, flat spots on tyres and brake discs corroding. Top tip? Drive it as much as you want to!

[Neil1300R]

montecristo said:

steveatesh said:

However, they are not prima donnas and like to be driven daily if possible.

I hear this a lot, what does it mean, what physically happens to the car when it's just sitting there, that damages it?

Try ignoring the wife for a few days - similar effect.

[snuffy]

I've heard of a very similar one with iced up windows ( two people I know have had this one two different makes of car ):

When you unlock the door the window drops a tad (like it does on the AM). If the window is iced up it wont drop and because it won't drop, the door control thing won't let you open the door. So you have to de-ice the passenger window before you get open the door !

[mikey k]

snuffy said:

I've heard of a very similar one with iced up windows ( two people I know have had this one two different makes of car ):

When you unlock the door the window drops a tad (like it does on the AM). If the window is iced up it wont drop and because it won't drop, the door control thing won't let you open the door. So you have to de-ice the passenger window before you get open the door !

guess who has three cars that do this

[montecristo]

Neil1300R said:

Try ignoring the wife for a few days - similar effect.

That could be the whining noise.

Never a bad time to bring up:

"I haven't spoken to my wife in three years, I don't like to interrupt her".
"If you want to know who loves you more, try locking your dog and your wife in the boot for an hour and see how they greet you when you let them out".

[snuffy]

mikey k said:

guess who has three cars that do this

One mate has an Audi and the other a BMW.

[Jon39]

With AM Powerfold Mirrors, I seem to remember from reading the handbook, that the mirror control can be set in several different ways.

If they can be set not to operate automatically, then just leave in the open position during icy weather, and OP problem solved.

Is that correct?

[Neil1300R]

Jon39 said:

With AM Powerfold Mirrors, I seem to remember from reading the handbook, that the mirror control can be set in several different ways.

If they can be set not to operate automatically, then just leave in the open position during icy weather, and OP problem solved.

Is that correct?

Early models don't have the option. Even needed a dealer flash upgrade to get them to auto fold on locking

[drcarrera]

Never had a problem with mine, which are set to auto-fold when locking. Although I don't think it's ever been covered in snow that I can remember ...

[Gmw76]

Sensible and useful advice as always. Thanks you.

The car is very different to drive than my 3.0 Diesel A5 which I swapped in. Don't think im giving the right pedal enough push at the moment as the response allmost seams sluggish on biting point to pull away. It could just be a heavy spring on the pedal and lots of metal to spin up from a bigger engine.

Mark