Buy Mercury Mountaineer Mirror Glass

Mercury Mountaineer mirror glass-also called side-view mirror glass, door-mirror lens, or wing-mirror glass-is a safety part used on 1997-2010 Mountaineer SUVs. It can be flat or convex, heated or un-heated, and may carry extra features such as puddle lamps or signal indicators. U.S. law sets minimum size and wording rules for passenger-side convex mirrors, while tempered or laminated safety glass keeps shards from causing injury. When the glass chips, cracks, delaminates, or the heating pad fails, drivers can replace only the glass instead of the whole housing, saving money and reducing waste. Simple hand tools, gloves, and adhesive pads are all most DIYers need. Properly working mirror glass widens the driver's field of view, shrinks blind spots, and meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111. Recycling programs now handle broken auto glass, keeping it out of landfills. (Cars.com, NHTSA, Wikipedia, NHTSA, pilkington.com)

• First generation (1997-2001) and second generation (2002-2005) Mountaineers use smaller rectangular glass. (Cars.com)
• Third generation (2006-2010) SUVs share larger mirror glass with the same-era Ford Explorer.

Driver vs. Passenger Sides

• Driver-side glass is flat for true distance judgment. (Wikipedia)
• Passenger-side glass is convex or aspheric to widen the view; it must carry the words "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear." (NHTSA)

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Common Features

• Heated panes melt frost in under two minutes by running low-amp grid lines. (RepairPal.com)
• Puddle lamps shine on the ground when doors unlock. (eBay)
• Signal repeaters alert nearby traffic; LEDs mount behind the glass. (WIRED)
• Auto-dimming glass darkens at night to cut headlight glare.

• FMVSS 111 sets minimum mirror size, curvature range (35-65 inches radius), and the mandatory convex warning line. (NHTSA, NHTSA)
• Mirrors must let the driver see a 200-foot rear zone on level ground. (NHTSA)
• A working mirror is required in every U.S. state for legal road use; broken glass can earn a "fix-it" ticket.

• Most mirror glass is tempered safety glass-heated above 640 °C then rapidly cooled so it crumbles into tiny cubes if shattered. (pilkington.com)
• Premium mirrors may use laminated glass with a plastic interlayer for extra strength and sound dampening. (pilkington.com)
• A thin chromium or aluminum coating on the back creates reflectivity, while front-surface coatings are used for auto-dimming units. (WIRED)

1. Protect yourself-wear gloves and safety glasses. (Family Handyman)
2. Remove shards-cover old glass with tape, then pry and lift.
3. Clean backing plate-wipe with alcohol so adhesive bonds well. (3M)
4. Apply new adhesive pads or 3M VHB™ tape evenly.
5. Press new glass firmly from center outward; hold 30 seconds. (Family Handyman)
6. Test features-cycle mirror adjuster, heater, and signal if equipped.

• Wash with mild soap and a microfiber cloth; avoid ammonia cleaners that can haze coatings. (HowStuffWorks)
• Check heater operation each winter by misting the glass-clear spots show active grid lines. (YouTube)
• Lube the mirror pivot yearly to stop vibration blur.

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• Broken automotive glass can now be recycled through specialty programs that separate reflective coating from glass cullet. (Glass.com)
• Replacing only the mirror glass instead of the whole housing cuts plastic waste by up to 80 %.

• Mirror housing-plastic shell that shields wiring and lets the glass tilt.
• Actuator motor-electric stepper that moves the glass in four directions.
• Wiring harness-carries power for heating, dimming, and lights.

Q: Which Mountaineer years use the same mirror glass as a Ford Explorer?
A: 2006-2010 Mountaineers share glass size and mounting points with their Explorer cousins. (Cars.com)

Q: How do I tell if my current glass is heated?
A: Look for tiny grid lines or a heater icon on the lower corner; you can also feel gentle warmth after three minutes with the rear defrost on. (RepairPal.com, YouTube)

Q: Can I upgrade from non-heated to heated glass?
A: Yes, if the wiring plug has two extra heater pins; otherwise you'll need to add wiring or swap the whole mirror assembly. (RepairPal.com)

Q: Why does the passenger mirror say objects are closer?
A: Its convex shape makes things look smaller but lets you see a wider area, so the warning reminds you that traffic is nearer than it appears. (NHTSA, Wikipedia)

Q: Is special glue required?
A: Automotive double-sided pads or 3M VHB™ tape stand up to heat, water, and vibration better than household glue. (3M)

Q: How long does the job take?
A: Most owners finish in under 30 minutes, including cleanup and testing. (Family Handyman)

Q: Do I need to disconnect the battery first?
A: It's a good idea when working with heated or signal mirrors to avoid short circuits, but for plain glass swaps it's optional.

Q: What does it cost to have a shop do it?
A: Labor averages one hour, and shops charge extra for features like heat or auto-dimming.

Q: Can broken glass fail inspection?
A: Yes-most states require an unobstructed mirror on the driver side and a legal passenger mirror for SUVs, so cracks can cause rejection. (NHTSA)

Q: How do I recycle the old mirror?
A: Wrap shards in paper, then drop them at a glass-recycling center that accepts auto glazing. (Glass.com)