Buy Mazda CX-5 Side View Mirrors

Overview

Mazda CX-5 side mirrors-also called door mirrors, wing mirrors, or side-view mirrors-do far more than help you see behind. Modern assemblies add heat, power-fold, turn-signal lamps, and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) lights, all wrapped in an aerodynamically shaped housing matched to every CX-5 generation. This guide gathers practical facts, safety advice, regulations, recycling ideas, and step-by-step tips so shoppers and owners can pick, install, and care for their replacement mirror with confidence.

Fit & Years

• 1st Gen (2013-2016) and 2nd Gen (2017-present) CX-5 mirrors bolt on with three 10 mm nuts and a single multi-pin connector; harness pin-counts range from 5 (basic power-adjust) to 9 wires (BSM, heat, turn lamp, power-fold).
• Power-fold became available on upper trims starting with the 2017 redesign.
• Wide-angle glass on some driver-side mirrors uses two curvatures to widen the view.

Key Features

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Why Mirrors Fail

• Parking bumps and garage scrapes are the #1 cause of cracked housings and broken glass.
• Internal fold motors can seize in dusty or icy climates.
• Heated elements may stop working if the wiring harness inside the door is pinched during window repairs.

DIY Installation

1. Disconnect the battery to avoid air-bag warning lights.
2. Pop off the mirror trim cap and unplug the connector.
3. Support the mirror, remove the three nuts, and pull the assembly outward.
4. Seat the new unit, tighten to 8 N·m, route the harness, and test every function before reinstalling the door panel.

Tool list: trim pick, 10 mm socket, torque wrench, painter's tape.

Adjustment & Safety

• For the driver side, lean until your head touches the window; move the glass outward until your own car just disappears-this shrinks the blind spot.
• Repeat on the passenger side by leaning toward the console.
• The CX-5's BSM lights complement proper mirror aim but do not replace shoulder checks.

Legal Rules

• U.S. vehicles must have an adjustable outside mirror on the driver side and meet field-of-view angles defined in FMVSS 111.
• Federal regulators are evaluating camera-based "mirrorless" systems, but mirrors remain mandatory today.

Upgrades & Accessories

• Stick-on convex spot mirrors cost a few dollars and widen the view of bikes and compact cars.
• Clip-on rain visors keep droplets off the glass at highway speed.
• Paint-to-match caps restore factory looks without full respray.

Care & Maintenance

• Clean glass with ammonia-free cleaner to avoid stripping the heater film.
• Lightly lube the fold hinge twice a year with silicone spray-avoid petroleum grease that traps grit.
• If ice freezes the mirror, use vehicle defrosters; forcing it manually can shear the gears.

Eco & Recycling

Side-view mirrors combine glass, aluminum, and ABS plastic. Both the metal bracket and mirror glass qualify as household scrap metal at many civic recycling centers. (First Time Driver) Mazda's research into bio-based plastics for exterior trim shows future mirrors may use renewable resins that skip paint and cut volatile emissions. (Mazda Newsroom) When upgrading, recycle the old housing through an auto-glass or scrap facility rather than landfilling; auto glass is accepted alongside windshields for cullet reuse. (HowStuffWorks)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will a 2024 CX-5 mirror fit a 2016 model?
A: No. 2013-16 (Gen 1) and 2017-24 (Gen 2) mirrors have different mounting angles and plug patterns.

Q: How do I know if I have BSM lights?
A: Look for a small car-icon on the outer corner of each mirror or check for a 9-pin harness; basic mirrors use fewer pins.

Q: Does adding a convex spot mirror block BSM?
A: No, the lamp sits behind the glass and still shines through the add-on.

Q: Can I fold the mirrors by hand if the motor fails?
A: Use gentle pressure; however, Mazda warns that forcing power-fold mirrors can prevent them from locking in place.

Q: Are heated mirrors always on with the rear defroster?
A: Yes-heat activates whenever the rear-glass defog switch is pressed.

Q: What torque spec should I use on the three mounting nuts?
A: Tighten to about 8 N·m (71 in-lb) to avoid cracking the base.

Q: My mirror shakes at highway speed-why?
A: A worn pivot bushing or missing foam gasket can let the housing vibrate; replacing those parts usually cures the blur.

Q: Is it legal to drive without a passenger side mirror?
A: In many U.S. states you may, but FMVSS 111 requires a right-side mirror if the interior mirror cannot show past your cargo. Check local law before removing it.

Q: How do I sync auto-fold with locking?
A: With the ignition off, set the mirror switch to "AUTO" and lock the doors; mirrors fold automatically on lock/unlock cycles.

Q: Can I paint the cap myself?
A: Yes-scuff, prime, and spray matched color code 46V or similar; apply two clear coats for UV protection.

Q: Are camera mirrors allowed yet?
A: Not on U.S. roads; regulators are still studying camera-only systems.

Q: Does the mirror glass magnify objects?
A: Passenger glass is convex, so objects are closer than they appear; driver glass is flat or dual-curvature on some trims.

Q: How long does it take to swap a mirror?
A: An experienced DIY-er averages 30 minutes per side with basic tools.

Q: What's the best way to remove broken glass safely?
A: Wear gloves, tape the cracked glass to keep shards together, then pry from one corner with a plastic trim tool.

Q: Can I upgrade a manual-fold mirror to power-fold?
A: Only if the door harness and switch already have the extra circuits; otherwise wiring and BCM coding add complexity.