Gen Z drivers confused over the function of a ‘mystery button’ on their rear view mirror have discovered it dims the mirror to reduce headlight glare.
Some, but not all, vehicles have the button which is very useful for driving in the dark and is said to make night journeys safer.
It looks like a power button and is found, in various models, on the bottom of the rear view mirror.
Young motorists have been taking to social media to ask about what the small button does.
‘I’ve had my Jeep for close to four years now and still have no idea what this button does,’ one wrote on Reddit.
Not all cars have the button, but it is said to make driving in the dark safer (stock image)
Another asked: ‘What is this button for on my rear view mirror?’
One commented: ‘Just a guess – Auto dimming? When a car’s headlights shine and hit a sensor it will auto tint your mirror so you aren’t blinded by them?’
Wading into the discussion, one person said: ‘I’d suggest looking in the Owners Manual’ but was told by another they’d already checked the manual and failed to find the information.
The SEAT website explained: ‘The auto-dimming rear view mirror offers greater safety when driving at night, as it stops you from being dazzled by traffic travelling behind.
‘It consists of a mirror element and an electronic system that detects light from in front and behind by means of photo sensors.
‘If the amount of light from behind is greater than that in front, the mirror is darkened.’
Some models have two buttons, an ‘on’ and an ‘off’ switch.
Mazda said on their website: ‘When auto-dimming is turned on, your rear view mirror will automatically darken in order to reduce headlight glare.
‘There is a rear light sensor that can detect when a vehicle behind you is shining its headlights toward your mirrors.
‘Anytime the vehicle is started, the auto-dimming feature will be activated.’
