BMW Z8 2000, Owner'S Manual

Page: 151 / 172

150 n
Interior rearview mirror with automatic dimmer
The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimmer reduces blinding from
following traffic by adapting the inten-
sity of the reflected images to corre-
spond to levels of light registered by
the unit's sensors. The mirror reverts
to its undimmed setting as soon as the
light source disappears. One light sen-
sor is mounted on the front of the mirror
housing. This sensor, that is directed
forward, measures light intensity in the
area ahead of the vehicle. The second
light sensor is integrated within the mir-
ror's frame. The electronic control sys-
tem compares the light intensity from
front and rear. The difference provides
the basic parameter used to modulate
an electrical current and induce chemi-
cal changes in a semisolid layer incor-
porated in the lens.
520de096
The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing dim-
ming of the mirror through an infinitely-
variable range (electrochromic technol-
ogy).
As a result, it is no longer necessary to
dim the mirror manually, and the driver
can concentrate completely on traffic
conditions.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 155 083 - © 03/00 BMW AG