folding mirrors in winter
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix
19 GLS63
folding mirrors in winter
I searched but couldn't find my answer. I just purchased an 08 C300 sport for my wife. We live in Wisconsin and we were concerned with the power folding mirros in the winter time. Those that live in cold/snowy/icey climates - do need to worry about the mirrors in the winter time? The scenario that I am concerned about is my wife goes to work in the morning, parks outside (only choice) and it snows or ices while she is at work...she comes out, unlocks and doors and climbs in, fires the MB up and mirrors start to try to fold but are covered in snow or ice...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 33
From: Vancouver, BC
08 C300
if you are too worried, just disable the feature which can be found in user manual.
if it breaks, cover under warranty.
since the car is new, i think there is only handful of members who went through last winter.
if it breaks, cover under warranty.
since the car is new, i think there is only handful of members who went through last winter.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
2008 C350
I had left my GL450 out overnight a few times this past winter and ice/snow never was an issue when they folded back out. They're much stronger than you would think. 
I know this was on the GL, but assume the motors are about the same.
I know this was on the GL, but assume the motors are about the same.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
C300 4matic
My mirrors froze in the closed position a number of times last winter so I disabled them. Not really as big a problem as the heater fan that also froze up on 3 occasions, driving with no defroster or heat on a zero degree day is no fun. It will be going in to the dealer before winter this year to see if they have come up with a fix (other posts on this forum talked of a temporary fix the dealers were doing last winter). Now if only those folding mirrors didn't make a noise like a dying goat every time I got into the car this summer.......
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
'08 C300 Sport White w/ P2 MM & Pano
I had my car throughout the entire 07-08 winter season and did not encounter any problems with the folding mirrors, even in the snow. I live in NY and the winters here can get pretty bad, but the mirrors worked like a charm.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2013 C300 Sport Black Darth V3.0
Come on we had one real snowstorm on LI last winter everything else was flurries. I didn't even use my snowblower once in the past three winters, and I like that.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
C180K 2011 COMAND, AMG, Dynamic Xenon, Business Pack, H&K Audio and +
The folding mirrors have the function that they are kept warm automatically so weather should not effect it. This has been discussed before on the forums. Search for it. I think this information is correct, Never had a chance to check in the manual yet.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
C180K 2011 COMAND, AMG, Dynamic Xenon, Business Pack, H&K Audio and +
Found it .. its in the manual as well.
The convex exterior mirrors give a larger field of vision.
At low outside temperatures, the exterior mirrors are heated automatically.
The convex exterior mirrors give a larger field of vision.
At low outside temperatures, the exterior mirrors are heated automatically.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
C300 4matic
The mirror heaters only heat the glass surface and only when the car is running. This does nothing to warm the folding mirror joint or motor. Believe me, with heavy wet snow and cold overnight temperatures, the mirrors will not unfold when the resultant ice gets in the joint between the moving parts. I understand that this is severe operating conditions so I turned the function off, no big deal. But as per my earlier post, I do think the frozen fan motor under the same conditions is a serious defect that I have never encountered in about 20 cars I have owned over the past 40 years. So if you are concerned about winter operation, put your worry into the basic equipment needed for safe operation - don't fret about frivolous options like folding mirrors that are easily disabled.
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: GTA North
2011 BMW 335xi titanium silver.
The mirror heaters only heat the glass surface and only when the car is running. This does nothing to warm the folding mirror joint or motor. Believe me, with heavy wet snow and cold overnight temperatures, the mirrors will not unfold when the resultant ice gets in the joint between the moving parts. I understand that this is severe operating conditions so I turned the function off, no big deal. But as per my earlier post, I do think the frozen fan motor under the same conditions is a serious defect that I have never encountered in about 20 cars I have owned over the past 40 years. So if you are concerned about winter operation, put your worry into the basic equipment needed for safe operation - don't fret about frivolous options like folding mirrors that are easily disabled.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
C-300, XC70, Wrangler
Mine have been disabled for quite some time (7+ months). Today I had a loaner, a newer 2008 C300. When I locked the car, it made an interesting racket. I had to take a double-take to realize that it was automatically folding in the mirrors. I'd forgotten about that feature.
Yeah, disable it!
Yeah, disable it!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
I searched but couldn't find my answer. I just purchased an 08 C300 sport for my wife. We live in Wisconsin and we were concerned with the power folding mirros in the winter time. Those that live in cold/snowy/icey climates - do need to worry about the mirrors in the winter time? The scenario that I am concerned about is my wife goes to work in the morning, parks outside (only choice) and it snows or ices while she is at work...she comes out, unlocks and doors and climbs in, fires the MB up and mirrors start to try to fold but are covered in snow or ice...
