BMW serie 3 sedan 2001 Manuale Utente

184

Interior rearview mirror with automatic dimming feature

The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimming feature reduces blinding
from following traffic by adapting the
intensity of the reflected images to
correspond to levels of light registered
by the unit's sensors. The mirror reverts
to its undimmed setting as soon as the
light source disappears. One lamp
sensor is mounted on the front of the
mirror housing. This sensor, which is
directed forward, measures light inten-
sity in the area ahead of the vehicle.
The second sensor is integrated within
the mirror's glass. The electronic
control system compares the light
intensity from front and rear. The differ-
ence provides the basic parameter
used to modulate an electrical current
and induce chemical changes in a
semisolid layer incorporated in the lens.

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The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing
dimming of the mirror through an infi-
nitely-variable range (electrochromic
technology).

As a result, it is no longer necessary to
dim the mirror manually, and the driver
can concentrate completely on traffic
conditions.