I've searched and googled everywhere. My Outback Premium has 1,000 miles on it. It didn't make it into the garage last night, so the mirrors had some condensation, but not ice on the mirrors. I can fry an egg on my 04 Pathfinder mirrors, but after I let the Subie run for over 5 minutes the mirrors had barely cleared anything.
I've got the Eye-Sight, so I know I don't have a mirror symbol in the mirror. I'm clicking the lower right button for the rear defrost and side mirrors.
Anyone else have this experience? Other than that I love the car.
They are controlled by the rear windshield defroster switch. Turn the rear defroster on and you will also heat the wiper blades and the mirrors. Neither will not turn on automatically.
They don't just come on when you start the car, as noted they are now controlled via the defrost button for the rear window. My '00 Limited had separate switches for rear defrost, mirror defrost, and front wiper defrost. My '09 Limited now has a switch for front wiper defrost that also activates the mirrors. They've now included it all in one on late models.
Mine clear frost and ice very nicely....for condensation, I keep this thing in my OB called a towel.....clears condensation in 20 seconds or less......
Mine get very warm. If yours aren't something might be wrong. Just take it to the dealer and have them take a look at it.
Here's the button to push for the heated mirrors:
I've never "felt" mine when they were on, but I do know for a fact it works with the rear-defrost engaged. I've watched the moisture line move after it was engaged indicating an addition of heat to evaporate the water.