Buy Mitsubishi Lancer Side View Mirrors

What It Does

A side mirror lets you watch traffic in the next lane without turning your head too far. FMVSS 111 sets the mirror's size, shape, and field-of-view so you can spot cars at least 60 m (200 ft) behind you. The Lancer's power mirror motor moves the glass up-down and left-right; a tiny heater grid melts frost; LEDs in the cap flash with your turn signals. These extras are wired through a 5-pin connector shown in the factory trunk/door wiring diagram. (eCFR, Scribd)

Compatibility

• 2002-2007 (eighth gen) Lancers use manual-fold housings and either manual or basic power glass.
• 2008-2015 (ninth gen) cars add folding and heat on upper trims; Evolution X mirrors share the same mounting but have larger caps. (Car and Driver, Auto Catalog Archive)
• 2016-2017 Limited Edition models keep the same bolt pattern, so any 2008-2017 assembly swaps side-to-side with minor wiring tweaks.
• After August 2017 Mitsubishi stopped Lancer production worldwide. (MotorTrend)

Key Features

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Safety Benefits

Properly set mirrors cut lane-change crashes by up to one-third, according to AAA driving studies. Place your head against the window, then move the glass until only a sliver of your car shows-this wipes out most blind spots. Heated mirrors also keep vision clear when temps drop below freezing. (AAA, Car and Driver)
Read more at the NHTSA mirror rules and AAA's step-by-step mirror fit guide.

Common Problems

• Cracked glass from parking bumps or stone hits.
• Loose housing after someone clips the mirror.
• Non-working power motor caused by a blown 10 A fuse or a broken switch.
• Heater grid failure from corrosion inside the cap.
• Whistling wind noise when the rubber seal ages. (CarParts.com)

Diagnosing Issues

1. Check mirror fuse #13 in the cabin box-replace if open.
2. Toggle mirror switch; if no click, the switch may be bad.
3. If only one direction fails, the motor gear may be stripped.
4. Test heater by feeling for warmth after the rear defroster runs two minutes.
5. Shake the housing; play means the fold pivot is broken-replace the whole assembly.

DIY Replacement

A clear video walk-through for 2007-2017 Lancers shows the steps: remove the interior sail panel, unplug the harness, and undo three 10 mm nuts; the mirror then lifts out. Watch it on YouTube.
Torque the nuts to 7 N·m, route the gasket flat, and cycle the mirror before refitting the trim.

Costs

A shop usually charges $70-100 labor, while parts can bring the bill to $900 or more if cameras or sensors are included. Glass-only pads are under $30 online. (RepairPal.com)
Because today's mirrors include heaters, LEDs, and sometimes cameras, prices keep climbing as shown in recent repair-cost studies by automotive insurers. (WSJ)

Legal Rules

* U.S. law lets owners install any mirror style they choose, but they cannot remove all outside mirrors on a car that originally had two. (NHTSA)
* FMVSS 111 spells out mirror field-of-view, mounting strength, and labeling. See the full test procedure here (PDF). (NHTSA)
* Many states fine drivers if a broken mirror obstructs view; check local codes.

Care Tips

• Wash mirrors last when cleaning the car to avoid soap streaks on glass.
• Aim a hair dryer at a foggy mirror if your heater grid fails.
• Spray silicone on the fold hinge twice a year.
• Stick on a 2-inch convex pad to widen the view on older, narrow mirrors.
• Paint chips on the cap? Use OEM-matched touch-up after sanding.

Upgrades

Drivers who tow small trailers can swap in extended "swan-neck" mirrors that add 4 inches of reach. Some aftermarket caps hold puddle-lights that shine on the ground when you unlock the doors. Blind-spot warning add-ons mount an LED on the mirror to flash when radar senses a car beside you. Learn how heated, telescopic, and LED mirrors work in this HowStuffWorks explainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Lancer years share the same mirror bolt pattern?
A: 2008-2017 sedans and hatchbacks use identical three-stud mounts. (Car and Driver)

Q: Are the Evolution X mirrors different from regular Lancer mirrors?
A: Yes. They have a wider cap and carbon-look covers but bolt on the same way.

Q: Can I add heat to a non-heated mirror?
A: You can retrofit heater glass if your car has a rear-defrost circuit; otherwise run a fused 12 V lead. (Car and Driver)

Q: Do I need to unplug the battery before removal?
A: It is smart to remove the negative cable so airbags are not triggered when you pull the door panel.

Q: How long does DIY replacement take?
A: About 45-60 minutes with a socket set and trim tool. (YouTube)

Q: What torque for the mounting nuts?
A: Tighten to roughly 7 N·m (62 in-lb).

Q: Why is my mirror glass shaking at speed?
A: The plastic backing plate has cracked; replace the glass pad.

Q: Does a cracked mirror fail inspection?
A: In most states yes, because the glass must give an undistorted view. (eCFR)

Q: How do I fix slow power movement?
A: Lubricate the pivot and check for a low battery; motors slow when voltage drops.

Q: What fuse controls the mirrors on a 2013 Lancer?
A: Fuse 13 (10 A) in the interior fuse box. (Scribd)

Q: Are aftermarket carbon caps legal?
A: Yes, as long as they do not reduce mirror size below FMVSS 111 minimums. (eCFR)

Q: Will a blind-spot mirror eliminate all blind spots?
A: It reduces them but you should still shoulder-check. (Consumer Reports)

Q: Do folding mirrors break more often?
A: The pivot has extra parts, so keep it clean and lubricated.

Q: Can I repaint the cap myself?
A: Yes-sand, prime, color-coat, and clear-coat, following the paint code on your driver-side door jamb.

Q: What is the warranty on a replacement Lancer mirror?
A: Most aftermarket assemblies carry a one-year parts warranty; check the supplier details.