[pgsagar]

Many cars have electrically adjustable ORVMs. Some high-end cars have electrically retractable (folding) ORVMs, too. The second feature has this strange problem. A relative has a Corolla which has this retractable feature. He parks the car outside. He saw a few passers-by stop by and pry open the ORVM to check out their hair-styles. And sometimes when my cousin leaves the ORVM in open mode, he sees some good samaritan passer-by stop by and force fold it to "protect" it; little knowing that he is actually harming it. Now I think this force folding/unfolding a power-folding ORVM will bust its inetrnal linkages & motor and may even call for its replacement. Or, am I wrong? Experts can tell if this system has any manual over-ride protection.

[cranky]

It's highly unlikely that a motor that moves under applied power in two directions will be damaged by moving it in either of those directions when power is not applied.

At a very basic level, I don't see why any damage should occur as the failsafe would be a manual movement. I could be wrong though, the manual should specify this.

[alto99]

It has not damaged mechanism of my ORVMs when they were manually folded by me, have been hit and folder on either sides a couple of times.
Not sure if it impact longetivity of the mechanism though.

[dot]

As @Alto99 said, Civic's retraceable ORVM system is very well engineered. Manual override by good samaritans or beauty queens or idiot bikers does not harm it. I am not sure how these systems are designed in other cars, but would assume that they would be equally good.

[bluevolt]

I and my friend were discussing this issue some time back. He owns an i20 and children in his apartment complex keep on opening and closing the ORVMs while playing. ORVM in i20 is electronic folding type; that makes him more worried on how to protect them from damage.

I think forcing anything beyond the way it should operate normally would be harmful for sure, leave electric ORVMs aside. Even manual ORVM get loose under such conditions (happened with my wagonr).

The best way I can think to protect ORVMs from children/passerby is to cover the vehicle.

[ravib]

I would assume the car manufacturer would have thought about the manual folding and would have tested for it. Don't think they would have checked only for electrical retraction for ORVM

-Ravi

[Arkin evoisrevo]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

Even manual ORVM get loose under such conditions (happened with my wagonr).

My 800 has met the same fate.

BTW, my i10 recently met with a minor accident, and as part of a last minute manouvre, the LORVM went crashing into the corner of a truck. Had it been an Electrically folding-type ORVM, I would have to spend 6000+. But I only with have to spend a couple of hundreds now to replace the glass mirror,.

[MileCruncher]

Apart from prying neighbours trying to open or close the ORVM, I think the electrically folding ones are definitely a boon. Will close them whenever you want. Only thing is LHS and RHS inmost cars don't have switch for individual folding and retracting!

[pgsagar]

Originally Posted by ravib

I would assume the car manufacturer would have thought about the manual folding and would have tested for it. Don't think they would have checked only for electrical retraction for ORVM

-Ravi

Would they have tested for manual folding/unfolding? I am not sure. See, the cars equipped with power retracting ORVMs are generally high-end cars of Jap/Korean/Western origin ( I am sure none of Tatas/Mahindras have ). Their social conditions are different. They do not generally have people hanging around and fiddling/playing with parked cars.

I am sure this feature is a big boon. But for this. As for damage, common sense tells me trying to fold/unfold forcibly ( what is meant to be operated electrically ) will definitely weaken the ORVMs internals, if not damage. I am not sure if user's manuals of these cars have covered this aspect. Only owners of these cars can shed some light. Anyone here?

[androdev]

Manual operation is very much possible and no worries of damage. True for both 'adjustment' and 'folding' motors.

[dadu]

It all depends on your parking space, with a good parking space, How many times do we adjust them ?? hardly. Non-electric , manual ones are best in India and cheaper to replace + peace of mind whereever you park.

[mitrajdeep]

I second Dadu here.

My Fiesta has electronic adjust facility but not electronic folding. I have rarely needed to adjust the mirrors as I am the only person to drive this car, hence once adjusted to my liking it stays there.

Some time back a biker broke my left side mirror and the replacement cost was Rs.3500 whereas for the mechanical type it is only Rs.1200. I wish my car came with mechanical type adjusters as I had a close shave once again.

[dot]

A Beemer's L/R ORVM costs about 30k INR, or more. Just imagine the plight of the guy who loses the ORVM on his Beemer. Wouldnt he wish that it was a manual one like M800!!?

If the answer is that a Beemer guy can afford 30k, then Civic guy can also afford 6k, Fiesta 4K etc. In India we need to keep some money aside for the rainy day. When we have signed up for a premium product on our roads, this is inevitable.

Of course one can still ask if the real cost of the part is so much. But that is a different question.

[sgiitk]

I am all for retractable ORVMs. There is only one negative - cost of replacement. They can take a lot of mishandling and abuse with no harm.

[pgsagar]

Sgiitk, even I am for these ORVMs. But it is still not clear if we manually fold/unfold them, will the internals be damaged?