Mirror adjustment for reversing

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Graham
Posts: 126
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2024 10:31 am
Location: Norfolk, UK

Post by Graham »

I've read a couple of posts from people here mentioning using the mirrors to automatically drop for reversing. I felt the same way, so I emailed Volvo UK Support with an enhancement request. In the hope that more people will also request this, I'm posting the text here so you can see what I requested. I'm told my request has been passed onto the product/software developers.

When I first picked up my car, I was so surprised that such a modern car/design didn't do something that's so fundamental ...

Angling the passenger mirror (and optionally the drivers mirror) downwards when engaging reverse. Then you can see the kerb and avoid scraping the lovely wheels, especially when they are the 20" ones with lower profile tyres. My previous car (an almost 20-year-old BMW Coupe) used to be able to do this, so the idea isn't new. The rear camera is good but doesn't serve the same purpose.

The mirrors are driven by motors and they can angle downwards. When reverse gear is enabled, the rear camera automatically comes to life. So, all the elements for doing this are there - and it seems to me that just a software change is needed to angle the mirror(s) downwards at the same time the rear camera is enabled. And then angle the mirror(s) back up to their previous positions when N or D is re-enabled.
2024 Volvo EX30 Ultra SMER - Cloud Blue / Breeze - 1.4.4 (Car), 1.7.1 (App) - UK

GaryB
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2024 1:12 am
Location: Sydney

Post by GaryB »

It would certainly be a neat and useful feature and I hope they implement it. For the moment, though, I'm quite impressed with the 360 degree camera, which gives a good indication of where the kerb is. Also great for backing into narrow driveways!
2024 Ultra single motor extended range
SP1959
Posts: 618
Joined: Tue May 07, 2024 8:58 pm

Post by SP1959 »

I sm afraid that I cannot agree with GaryB. I find the camera system useless for reversing beside a kerb. I cannot tell if I am 3cm or 15cm from the kerb using the camera ( and parking in some of the narrow car clogged streets that I do, that is a big issue). I agree the camera is good for reversing between objects (walls, parked cars, bollards etc) but not for parking against city kerbs - in what is otherwise an ideal city car.

I agree with Graham. My last car (a Volvo XC40 had lowering mirrors (and smaller wheels/bigger tyres) which meant that I could avoid damaging the alloy wheels. The EX30s large wheels and low tyres (which do not stick out past the wheels to protect the wheels) make the decision not to include lowering mirrors inexcusable - especially as it would be cost-free, not requiring any extra hardware.

It is amazing that this fault was not picked up by all those negative reviewers who instead chose to needlessly criticise the car for not having enough physical switches or the speedometer location.
2024 EX30 Ultra - single motor - extended range - Onyx Black (UK)
RichTea
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2024 9:17 am
Location: North West England

Post by RichTea »

Graham wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2024 10:09 pm I've read a couple of posts from people here mentioning using the mirrors to automatically drop for reversing. I felt the same way, so I emailed Volvo UK Support with an enhancement request. In the hope that more people will also request this, I'm posting the text here so you can see what I requested. I'm told my request has been passed onto the product/software developers.

When I first picked up my car, I was so surprised that such a modern car/design didn't do something that's so fundamental ...

Angling the passenger mirror (and optionally the drivers mirror) downwards when engaging reverse. Then you can see the kerb and avoid scraping the lovely wheels, especially when they are the 20" ones with lower profile tyres. My previous car (an almost 20-year-old BMW Coupe) used to be able to do this, so the idea isn't new. The rear camera is good but doesn't serve the same purpose.

The mirrors are driven by motors and they can angle downwards. When reverse gear is enabled, the rear camera automatically comes to life. So, all the elements for doing this are there - and it seems to me that just a software change is needed to angle the mirror(s) downwards at the same time the rear camera is enabled. And then angle the mirror(s) back up to their previous positions when N or D is re-enabled.
Can you share the email address that you got a response from? I would like to add my voice to this, plus I'd like them to consider variable regen on One Pedal Driving. Currently, the regen is a bit light.

Cheers.

Richard.
2024 EX30 Twin Motor Ultra - Onyx Black - Indigo Interior
Graham
Posts: 126
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2024 10:31 am
Location: Norfolk, UK

Post by Graham »

@RichTea ... I've used the email address of [email protected] and get an auto-reply with a case number, followed by replies from 'Volvo UK Support' a few days (maybe up to a week) later.
2024 Volvo EX30 Ultra SMER - Cloud Blue / Breeze - 1.4.4 (Car), 1.7.1 (App) - UK
RichTea
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2024 9:17 am
Location: North West England

Post by RichTea »

Graham wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 2:14 pm @RichTea ... I've used the email address of [email protected] and get an auto-reply with a case number, followed by replies from 'Volvo UK Support' a few days (maybe up to a week) later.
Thanks Graham
2024 EX30 Twin Motor Ultra - Onyx Black - Indigo Interior
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gloucester
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Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2023 4:11 pm
Location: Gloucestershire, England

Post by gloucester »

I've found a solution by permanently having the mirrors in a lower position than I'd usually have them. Gives better kerb coverage and still a bit of rearward view.
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edenr1
Posts: 208
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2024 6:27 pm

Post by edenr1 »

I just change the angle of the mirrors when I need to, a bit of a faff I know but it works for me...🤔
Volvo EX30, Onyx Black, Ultra, Twin Performance v1.4.2
andrewollason
Posts: 533
Joined: Wed Jun 26, 2024 3:43 pm

Post by andrewollason »

gloucester wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:21 am I've found a solution by permanently having the mirrors in a lower position than I'd usually have them. Gives better kerb coverage and still a bit of rearward view.
That’s a top tip! Takes a bit of getting used to and getting the angle just right but seems to work.

Thanks
Twin Motor Ultra
SP1959
Posts: 618
Joined: Tue May 07, 2024 8:58 pm

Post by SP1959 »

Shouldn't be necessary though!
2024 EX30 Ultra - single motor - extended range - Onyx Black (UK)
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