Adjusting the side and interior mirrors ล KODA Octavia - a seemingly simple procedure, but not only driving comfort, but also safety depends on its correctness. Incorrectly adjusted mirrors create โ€œdead spotsโ€, increase the risk of accidents when changing lanes and parking, and also tire the driver faster due to the need to constantly turn his head. In this article we will look at how to configure mirrors to Octavia different generations (A5, A7, A8), we will take into account the features of the electric drive and manual adjustment, and also reveal professional secrets that driving instructors use.

We will pay special attention to typical mistakes: for example, many drivers adjust their mirrors so as to see part of the car body, but this reduces the view and creates the illusion of safety. We'll explain why this approach is wrong and how to achieve maximum viewing angle without blind spots. We will also look at how to properly adjust the mirrors in different scenarios: highway driving, city traffic, reverse parking and towing a trailer.

Types of mirrors on the ล KODA Octavia: design and features

Depending on configuration and generation Octavia can be equipped with different types of mirrors. Let's look at their key features:

  • ๐Ÿ”น Hand mirrors - installed on basic versions Octavia A5 (until 2013) and some modifications A7. Adjustment is carried out using a mechanical lever inside the cabin. The main plus is simplicity and reliability, the minus is the need to stop for adjustments.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Electric drive with memory - standard for Octavia A8 (2020+) and top versions A7. Allows you to save up to 3 mirror positions (for example, for different drivers) and associate them with the seat position. Control is from buttons on the driver's door.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Auto-folding mirrors - option for A7 FL and A8, activated by button or automatically when setting the alarm. Useful for parking in tight yards.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Heated mirrors with turn signals โ€” improve visibility in rain/snow and increase the visibility of the vehicle during maneuvers.

On Octavia A8 a function has also appeared automatic dimming interior mirror (if there is a light and rain sensor). It prevents the driver from being dazzled by the headlights of vehicles behind. In manual mode, the dimming is activated by a button under the mirror.

๐Ÿ“Š What mirrors are installed on your Octavia?
  • Manual
  • Electric without memory
  • Electric with memory
  • Auto-folding
  • I don't know

Step-by-step instructions: how to adjust side mirrors

Correctly adjusting your side mirrors starts with preparation. Make sure that:

  • ๐Ÿš— The car is parked on a flat surface (the slope distorts the perception of angles).
  • ๐Ÿ‘ค The driver's seat is adjusted to suit your height and position.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ The steering wheel is adjusted in height and reach (affects the position of the head).

Next, follow the algorithm:

  1. Left mirror (driver's):
    • ๐Ÿ‘๏ธ Tilt your head towards the window, almost touching it. In this position you should see rear bumper edge (no more than 1โ€“2 cm of the body).
    • ๐Ÿ”„ Adjust the mirror so that the horizon bisects it (sky/earth 50/50).
  2. Right mirror (passenger):
    • ๐Ÿ‘๏ธ Tilt your head towards the center of the cabin (towards the steering wheel). In this position you should see edge of the rear bumper and part of the rear wheel.
    • ๐Ÿ” The viewing angle should cover the traffic lane on the right and part of the curb (important for parking).

To check for correct adjustment:

  1. Return your head to your normal driving position.
  2. In the left mirror you should see minimal piece of body (only the edge of the bumper), on the right - a little more (due to the larger โ€œdeadโ€ angle).
  3. When driving in a straight line, a car in the next lane should appear in the mirror even before it disappears from the salon mirror.

The edge of the bumper (1โ€“2 cm) is visible in the left mirror|

In the right mirror you can see the wheel and the side of the road|

The horizon divides the mirror in half |

Adjacent stripes are visible without breaks -->

โš ๏ธ Attention: If large blind spots remain in the mirrors after adjustment, check the seatback angle. A position that is too reclined causes the driver to lift their chin, which distorts the view.

Setting the interior rear view mirror

The interior mirror is often underestimated, but it is responsible for monitoring the situation behind you and assessing the distance to other cars. Correct setting:

  1. Mirror position:
    • ๐Ÿ”ง Adjust so that the rear window is fully reflected. The edges of the mirror should barely touch the top and bottom edges of the glass.
    • ๐Ÿš˜ Should be visible in the mirror all the space behind the car, including the rear parcel shelf (if it is not loaded with luggage).
  2. Check:
    • ๐Ÿ‘€ When sitting in a normal position, you should be able to see the rear window no distortion (if the mirror is spherical, get used to its โ€œcurvatureโ€).
    • ๐Ÿš— When moving backwards in a straight line, the trajectory in the mirror should coincide with the real one (if the car is driving straight, no shift to the left/right should be visible in the mirror).

On Octavia A8 with function Auto-Dimming (automatic dimming) check the sensor operation:

  • ๐Ÿ’ก At night, approach the car from behind with the headlights on - the mirror should be darkened.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ If dimming does not work, check the settings in the menu Comfort โ†’ Mirror Settings.
Problem Possible reason Solution
Only part of the rear window is visible in the mirror Incorrect mirror angle Adjust the mounting of the mirror to the windshield (loosen the screws and change the angle)
The image in the mirror โ€œdoublesโ€ Contamination of the internal surface or crack Clean the mirror with alcohol or replace (with Octavia A7 the mirror is attached with Velcro)
Auto dimming doesn't work The light sensor is disconnected or the wiring is damaged Check the settings in MENU โ†’ Assist Systems โ†’ Auto-Dimming
The mirror vibrates on uneven surfaces Loose connection to windshield Tighten the fastening screws (on Octavia A5 you need to remove the plastic cover)

Adjustment of mirrors for different driving scenarios

There is no universal setting for mirrors; their position should be adjusted depending on the situation:

  • ๐Ÿš› Towing a trailer:
    • Roll your mirrors down so you can see hitch and the edge of the trailer.
    • On Octavia A7/A8 with function Trailer Assist mirrors are automatically adjusted when the mode is activated.
  • ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ Reverse parking:
    • Tilt the right mirror down (on an electric drive - with the button โ†˜) to see the curb.
    • On Octavia A8 mirrors automatically lower when reverse gear is engaged (optional Parking Mirror).
  • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ City traffic:
    • Widen the viewing angle in the right mirror to better see cyclists and motorcyclists.
    • Use the function Blind Spot Detect (if there is one), but don't rely on it completely.

For long road trips:

  • ๐Ÿ›ฃ๏ธ Reduce the angle of the mirrors to reduce air resistance (relevant for Octavia RS with aerodynamic body kit).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Check the cleanliness of the mirrors every 2-3 hours - insects and dirt impair visibility.
๐Ÿ’ก

On Octavia A8 with the system Travel Assist mirrors can be linked to the driver's profile. Save separate settings for city and highway in the menu Driver Profile โ†’ Mirror Settings.

Electric mirror drive: control and typical malfunctions

Electrically adjustable mirrors Octavia controlled by a joystick on the driver's door. Let's look at the buttons and typical problems ami:

  • ๐Ÿ”˜ Mirror selection button:
    • L - left mirror, R - right.
    • On Octavia A8 button is highlighted when selected.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Joystick adjustment:
    • Pressing up/down/left/right changes the angle of the mirror.
    • On some versions A7 joystick has discrete positions (clicks), on A8 - smooth ride.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Fold button (if equipped):
    • A short press โ€“ folds/unfolds the mirrors.
    • Long press (3 sec) - activates the mode Auto-Fold (automatic folding when setting the alarm).

Typical electric drive faults:

Symptom Reason Diagnostics/repair
Mirror doesn't move in one direction Worn drive gear or broken wire Disassemble the door panel and check the motor (on Octavia A7 a typical problem is contact oxidation)
Mirrors fold spontaneously Short circuit or comfort unit failure Reset settings to MENU โ†’ Settings โ†’ Comfort โ†’ Mirror Fold or check the fuse F37 (10A)
Joystick does not respond to presses Malfunction of the control unit or broken wire in the door corrugation Check the wiring from the joystick to the comfort unit (located under the dashboard on the driver's side)
โš ๏ธ Attention: On Octavia A5 With electric mirrors, the wires in the door corrugation often fray. If the mirrors begin to โ€œtwitchโ€ or work with a delay, check the integrity of the wiring without waiting for a complete failure.

Manual mirror adjustment: nuances and secrets

If your Octavia equipped with manual mirrors, setup takes more time, but there are tricks to simplify the process:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Use marks:
    • Apply to the edge of the mirror thin line with a marker (at horizon level) - this will help you quickly restore your position after an accidental knockdown.
  • ๐Ÿš— On-the-go check:
    • After adjustment, drive 100โ€“200 meters on a straight road with little traffic.
    • If the car is in the next lane disappears from sight when changing lanes, the mirrors are not adjusted correctly.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Adjustment for passengers:
    • If the car is frequently used by different people, adjust the right mirror so that the passenger in the front seat can use it (the viewing angle is wider than the driver needs).

On Octavia A5 This is a common problem with hand mirrors. mounting play. If the mirror โ€œdanglesโ€ when driving over uneven surfaces:

  1. Remove the plastic trim inside the door (snap off the clips with a screwdriver).
  2. Tighten the mirror mounting nuts (usually 10 mm or T25).
  3. If the play remains, replace the rubber dampers (part number for A5: 6Q0-857-511).
How to remove the door panel on an Octavia A5 to access the mirror

1. Remove the screw under the door handle (T20).

2. Carefully pry the clips around the perimeter of the panel (start from the bottom corner).

3. Disconnect the wiring connectors (if there is an electric window drive).

4. To access the mirror mechanism, remove the moisture-proof film.

Cleaning and caring for mirrors: how to avoid scratches and clouding

Mirrors on Octavia covered with a special reflective layer, which is easily damaged by improper cleaning. Follow the recommendations:

  • ๐Ÿงด Detergents:
    • Use alcohol-based cleaners (for example, Sonax Glass Cleaner) or a solution of water and vinegar (1:1).
    • Avoid products with ammonia - they destroy the coating on heated mirrors.
  • ๐Ÿงป Cleaning Tools:
    • Soft microfiber (eg. 3M Microfiber Cloth) or a suede rag.
    • For stubborn stains (tar, insects), use plastic scraper (not metal!).
  • โ„๏ธ Winter care:
    • Don't scrape ice off mirrors plastic card or knife โ€” it scratches the surface.
    • Use lock defroster (for example, Liqui Moly Entfroster) or warm water (not boiling water!).

For heated mirrors:

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Turn on the heating 2-3 minutes before you start driving - this will prevent condensation from forming.
  • โš ๏ธ Do not use heating for more than 10 minutes at a time - this will shorten the life of the heating element.
๐Ÿ’ก

On Octavia A8 heated mirrors turn on automatically when the function is activated Defrost (windshield blowing). To disable this binding, go to MENU โ†’ Settings โ†’ Comfort โ†’ Mirror Heating.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about adjusting mirrors on the ล KODA Octavia

๐Ÿ”น Why do the mirrors on the Octavia A7 fog up from the inside after washing?

This is due to moisture getting inside the mirror housing through microcracks in the seal. Solution:

  1. Remove the mirror (unscrew the 3 screws from the inside of the door).
  2. Dry with a hairdryer (cold air!) or place in a bag of silica gel for 12 hours.
  3. Apply sealant to the joints of the housing (for example, ABRO Black Silicone).

If the problem persists, replace the seal (part number: 5E0-857-957 for the left mirror).

๐Ÿ”น Is it possible to install electric mirrors on the Octavia A5 with manual adjustment?

Yes, but you will need:

  • Buy electric mirrors (suitable for the body, for example, from Octavia A5 FL).
  • Route the wiring from the comfort unit to the doors (use standard connectors).
  • Install the control joystick (can be taken from Skoda Rapid, fits the connector).
  • Activate the function via VCDS (code: 09-Central Elect. โ†’ Adaptation โ†’ Mirror Adjustment โ†’ Activate).

Cost of service work: ~15โ€“20 thousand rubles. (excluding spare parts).

๐Ÿ”น How to disable automatic folding mirrors on Octavia A8?

Go to menu:

MENU โ†’ Settings โ†’ Comfort โ†’ Mirror Folding โ†’ Off

If the option is grayed out (inactive), check:

  • Is the alarm sensor connected (on some versions the function only works with the standard alarm system).
  • Are there any errors in the comfort unit (diagnosis via VCDS or OBDeleven).
๐Ÿ”น Why does the right mirror on the Octavia A7 shake at speeds above 120 km/h?

This is a typical problem due to:

  • Play in the mount โ€” tighten the mirror bolts (access from inside the door).
  • Damper wear โ€” replace the rubber bushings (part number: 3T0-857-911).
  • Aerodynamics - on Octavia RS with a body kit, the mirrors may vibrate due to turbulence. Solution - installation mirror spoilers (for example, from Octavia vRS).
๐Ÿ”น How to save mirror settings when replacing battery on Octavia A8?

On Octavia A8 with mirror memory function, settings are saved in the comfort unit (BCM) and are not reset when the battery is disconnected. However, if the unit was de-energized (for example, during replacement), do:

  1. Turn on the ignition.
  2. Press and hold the button SET on the driver's door for 5 seconds.
  3. Adjust the mirrors and save the position with the button M (memory 1, 2 or 3).

If settings are reset, check the fuse F25 (5A) โ€” it is responsible for powering the memory of the comfort unit.