You have sat behind the wheel, looking at your car’s rearview mirror. Suddenly, you wonder, “Why is my rearview mirror blue?” It’s not an alien phenomenon that many car owners have already experienced while driving. But only a few people know why the mirror is blue, which I explain in this blog.
This mirror is excellent for showing you who’s tailgating you on the road. Besides, it has a secret weapon – a blue tint! You may wonder as it’s just another design choice. But stay calm because I am about to blow your mind!
The blue tint on your rearview mirror reduces glare and improves driving visibility. Also, the blue color is achieved through a process called electroplating. It means depositing a thin layer of metal onto the mirror’s surface.
Some Reports of Blue Rearview Mirror in a Car
As I said, you are not alone in curiosity about bluetint rearview mirrors. Many people want to know about its science. Even, not only your car, but you can also see the same thing in any luxurious or standard car you drive.
Some threads are out there in different automobile forums regarding this topic. Hence, I have collected two of them:
An Audi owner discovered, “…when I get back into my car and turn it on, and to my surprise, my mirrors turned blue…”
Then, in another forum, a Mercedes-Benz C230 owner also got worried in this way, “…I found the side mirrors and rearview mirror turned blue during in daytime.”
Whyis My Rearview Mirror Blue?
The main reason is the way that the mirror is made!
Electroplating is the process of making rearview mirrors for vehicles. It involves putting a thin layer of metal onto the surface of the mirror. Likewise, this metal layer is usually made of aluminum or chrome. This layer is what gives the mirror its reflective properties.
Now, another term regarding the blue tint on the mirror is sputtering. It is a process of achieving blue tint using a vacuum chamber to deposit a thin metal layer onto the back of the mirror.
Then, the metal layer is coated with a layer of copper. It gives the mirror its blue color. Again, the thickness of the copper layer determines the intensity of the blue color.
You may think now, why blue, and why not others? Well, a few reasons are there like:
- Blue is a comfy color on the eyes.
- It doesn’t cause as much eye strain as other colors.
- Blue is an effective color to reduce glare from bright headlights at night.
- This aesthetically pleasing color matches well with the interiors of most cars.
Here are more explanations of “why is my rearview mirror blue?”:
Shannon Martin, a licensed insurance agent, explains, “…because it has a night mode with a sensor that reacts to light.” She also added, rearview mirrors with this turning-blue feature dim the lights of the bright sunlight or headlights. Then, take on the blue tint by reducing the reflected light.
Almost similar reply I have seen in BenzWorld forum. A member said the photochromic material of the mirror has a blue tint. So, the mirror has a slight blue tint without any dimming function.
Advantages of Blue-Tinted Rearview Mirrors
Have a relaxed If your rearview mirror is blue. After all, blue tint offers various advantages over non-tinted or differently-tinted mirrors.
The first benefit is the reduction of glare and eye strain caused by bright sunlight or headlights at night. It helps the driver to see more clearly and avoid accidents on the road.
Besides reducing glare, blue-tinted mirrors can enhance visibility in other lighting conditions.
Think about the low-light situations. A rearview mirror with a blue tint can improve visibilityby reducing the amount of glare and increasing contrast.
It makes it easier to see objects on the road and judge distances. So, you can drive in heavy traffic or other challenging conditions while knowing what’s behind your vehicle.
Another advantage you will get is that blue tints can improve depth perception. It is indeed an important factor in safe driving. Mirrors with this facility can help drivers better to judge the distance between their vehicle and other objects. Specifically, if you are changing lanes, merging onto a highway, or backing up, it will help you a lot.
How Can I Select the Right Tinted Rear View Mirror?
You should consider several factors to choose the right one for your driving needs and preferences. They can be:
Consider Your Driving Conditions
The tint level should match the lighting conditions in which you drive. For instance, you frequently drive in bright sunlight. Then, a mirror with a darker tint may be more beneficial for reducing glare. Alternatively, a mirror with a lighter tint may be a better option if you mostly drive at night or in low-light conditions.
Choose a Trusted Brand
Try to select a reputable brand when choosing a blue-tinted rearview mirror. It ensures that the selected mirror is made with high-quality materials. Also, you can be sure it has undergone proper testing to ensure its effectiveness.
Determine the Level of Tint
Not all tinted mirrors in the market have the same level of tint. Some may be more heavily tinted than others. So, consider how much tint you want on your mirror and choose accordingly.
Installation Options and Costs
Tinted mirrors can be installed by a professional or as a DIY project. Consider the installation costs and whether you are comfortable installing the mirror yourself. Usually, a quality auto-dimming (or blue-tinted) rearview mirror is $200-$300 on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I tint my rearview mirror at home?
- Tinting your rearview mirror at home is not a good idea. The process requires special equipment and expertise to apply the tint correctly. Also, it should not compromise the mirror’s reflective properties. You should seek professional assistance to have a blue-tinted rearview mirror.
- Do all blue-tinted mirrors have the same level of tint?
- No, not all blue-tinted mirrors have the same level of tint. The tint level varies depending on the manufacturer and the specific product. For example, some mirrors may have a lighter or darker tint than others.
- Why is my rearview mirror blue?
- It is because the mirror has a thin layer of metallic coating on the back. It can reflect light. Hence, a blue tint is added to the glass to filter out certain wave lengths of light and reduce glare. So you can see the road ahead in bright sunlight easily.
Conclusion
I hope you have got the answer to “Why is my rearview mirror blue?” You should not worry about it. After all, it is an added feature of the rearview mirror of your car. In short, it can reduce glare and eye strain and enhance visibility in different lighting conditions.
I suggest leaving any opinion regarding this topic as I will happily answer your queries. Thanks for your moments reading this blog.
