The auto-dimming rear-view mirror on Ford F-150 contributes to greater comfort and safety when driving at night, as it prevents glare from the traffic behind.
Two built-in mirror photo sensors measure the amount of light, precisely the difference in brightness between the area in front of and behind the car. If the incidence of light from behind is greater than from the front, the mirror is automatically darkened.
The mirror has a special electrochromic layer on the glass for this. It contains electrolytes made of uniform crystals, similar to an LCD display on a television or cell phone. If you apply electrical voltage to this layer, the crystals align themselves at a certain angle. This leads to a delay-free and, depending on the incidence of light and sensor measurement, also to a stepless darkening effect. The driver’s hands stay on the steering wheel, while the mirror immediately darkens and the headlights of the vehicles behind can no longer dazzle.
Auto-dimming mirror in F-150
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror is a standard feature on Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited variants on fourteenth generation of F-150.
The XL and XLT trims can be equipped with auto-dimming mirrors, but you have to purchase Equipment Group 301A package to get the feature – which costs about $2,000 (as of February 2021).
Equipment Group 301A package
This package includes 8-way power driver seat + 8″ LCD productivity screen in instrument cluster + auto-dimming rearview mirror + rear underseat storage (SuperCab/SuperCrew) + SYNC® 4 with Enhanced Voice Recognition and SiriusXM® with 360L4 + manual-folding sideview mirrors with power, heated glass and integrated turn signal indicators + SecuriCode keyless entry keypad + Class IV trailer hitch receiver + dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control + leatherwrapped steering wheel.
How to use
The mirror dims to reduce the effect of bright light from behind. It returns to normal when the bright light from behind is no longer present or if you shift into reverse (R).
Note: Do not block the sensors on the front and back of the mirror. A rear center passenger or raised rear center head restraint could prevent light from reaching the sensor.
