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Buttons Instead of Tabs on Some Models

Some manufacturers add a motor to manual dimming controls. This design appears on certain European luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes, and some Lexus models. Press the button and the motor tilts the mirror between day and night positions. The button sits where a flip tab would normally be and makes a quiet whirring sound as the motor adjusts the angle. The change takes about a second. The button sometimes includes an LED that shows which mode is active.

Car rearview mirror in automobile. Vehicle interior with rear view mirror and windshield - car salon concept. Auto dim button. Auto dimming button. Details interior closeup.
Press the dimming button in certain cars to let a small motor tilt the mirror between day and night modes. Image credit: Shutterstock

The motorized button tilts the mirror just like a flip tab does, but a motor handles the work instead of finger pressure. This means the driver still decides when glare becomes a problem and presses the button to dim. Automatic mirrors eliminate this decision because sensors detect the glare and dim on their own.