Volkswagen Mirror

To help you see areas behind and on the sides of your Volkswagen, a set of good-quality side view mirrors is a must. Because your Volkswagen mirror is susceptible to accidents such as hitting the mailbox, side-swiping other cars, or bumping the garage door frame, manufacturers offer a large variety of door mirrors in various styles, functions, features, and material construction. Getting the right mirror is vital to ensure precise fit and proper function; these two factors help you determine whether the mirror you're eyeing meets your safety requirements.

OEM versus aftermarket

Both OEM and aftermarket manufacturers offer a diverse range of Volkswagen mirrors. Some design features may be built-in in OEM mirrors while certain features are available in the aftermarket mirrors. If you opt for an aftermarket mirror, make sure to research and check first if you are purchasing from a reliable supplier with a good track record. This is to ensure that you won't be paying for parts that don't fit properly and aren't durable enough.

Manual and electric

Generally, electric mirrors provide convenience of use but can encounter some glitches, while manual mirrors offer reliability and can be manually adjusted. Power options for electric mirrors include heat and memory functions, automatic dimming, signal and puddle lights, as well as electric folding. Manual mirrors, on the other hand, are manual folding and with manual remote mechanism that is usually located on the driver's side armrest. Installation of manual side mirrors is easier compared to electric side mirrors.

Supported features

Most manufacturers design mirrors that are easier to control and adjust and have special features such as memory, folding, heat, and dimming. If you choose these kinds of mirrors, make sure that your vehicle has the necessary connections and fittings inside the door panels to make these special features work correctly.

Mirror location

The vehicle's right and left side mirrors are not the same and cannot be interchanged. Generally, the passenger side mirrors hold a convex glass to maximize the width of the view, while the driver side mirrors hold a flat glass.

Required width of view

For towing applications that require the driver to see further behind the vehicle, towing mirrors are recommended. Telescopic mirrors also allow you to see farther behind the vehicle, although the degree or length of extension is adjustable. Before you make a purchase, find out first the type of towing or telescopic mirror you need. If you'll be using your ride for towing jobs only, you can get a mirror that replaces your original driver's side and passenger's side mirrors. If you do it occasionally, you can go for towing mirrors that can be added unto your ride's existing mirrors.

Warranty

Before finalizing a purchase, ask for the warranty coverage included. This way, you are assured that your money is covered in case the new side view mirror is defective or inferior in quality. Most of the time, mirrors installed by professionals include a specified warranty on parts and labor.

Other things to consider

A quick and easy way to check for a good Volkswagen mirror is to hold it and feel it. Usually, if you feel that it is cheap and unstable, chances are, it most likely is. Some side view mirrors are available in paintable, textured, or a combination of both surfaces. Paintable mirrors can be primed, sanded, and painted, while textured mirrors cannot.