Bad Folding Side Mirror Button Location

[Long Beach Jim]

I got a panic call from my partner tonight, driving the new Stinger on a crowded L.A. freeway in the dark with pouring rain. The side mirrors were folded in! After a safe return home, I went out to the garage to inspect the situation. I realized that my partner keeps accidentally hitting the fold button when closing the door. The button is way too close to the door pull handle. Bad design, Kia. The situation could have been deadly. At least we know how to remedy it now. New car learning curve.

 

[OliverNuther]

Deadly? Personally I would have thought making a phone call while driving on a crowded L.A. freeway in the dark with pouring rain was more likely to end in disaster. Nevertheless, glad you got it sorted.

 

[Long Beach Jim]

Deadly? Personally I would have thought making a phone call while driving on a crowded L.A. freeway in the dark with pouring rain was more likely to end in disaster. Nevertheless, glad you got it sorted.

Hey, I’m new to the Stinger and new to this forum. Are such snarky remarks typical of members here?

 

[OliverNuther]

Hey, I’m new to the Stinger and new to this forum. Are such snarky remarks typical of members here?

Not really and not sure that was snarky. Just disagreeing with your assessment that the situation could have been deadly and suggesting that distracting yourself from driving by making a phone call is more likely to be deadly. That was all.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Hey, I’m new to the Stinger and new to this forum. Are such snarky remarks typical of members here?

It’s the internet. Snarky responses are mandatory.

“Deadly” is a bit of an overstatement/exaggeration mate.

Did they accidentally fold them while driving or before?

If before, your partner probably should have not driven before consulting you/the manual/internet to resolve it if that concerned.

Back in my day (walking uphill in snow, both ways), you always had to turn your head... mirrors back then we’re small, didn’t have blind spot curves/tech.

Anyway, welcome to the forum.

 

[DaJackson]

Hey, I’m new to the Stinger and new to this forum. Are such snarky remarks typical of members here?

Only when people post overreacting posts about not having side mirrors being a deadly situation.

How about not letting someone drive the car that isn’t familiar with it in a difficult driving situation. Or the fact that they started driving down the road with no mirrors and got on the interstate instead of pulling over and figuring out the situation. Or the fact that they literally could turn their head to provide the same function as the side mirrors.

A lot of things seemed to go wrong on this trip, where KIA put the button is at the bottom of that list (may not even be on the list).

 

[NS_Stinger]

I agree the folding mirror button has a couple issues, it's location isn't great because of the door handle and the button itself is pretty flimsy so it switches too easily. I don't agree that it's "deadly" haha.

 

[DiabloStinger]

i think the location is as hidden as it can be while still being hear the other controls. I just don't like the ease of its toggle.

 

[Kamauxx]

Hey, I’m new to the Stinger and new to this forum. Are such snarky remarks typical of members here?

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[Johnni]

I few time I have accidentally press the folding mirror button while I was driving. It freak me out for a second, but realize my mistake and press the button again to fold back. On a different topic, this is one of my pet pee where I see people rely on technology so much, that they forgot to use their head to look for car in their blind spot when they are driving car without the blind spot technology.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Or the fact that they started driving down the road with no mirrors and got on the interstate instead of pulling over and figuring out the situation.

I had this happen to me, months into the Stinger. I was coming down Big Cottonwood canyon in the dark and the rain and never noticed that my mirrors were folded in. Little traffic, so not picking up headlights around blind curves was expected. Then I got out of the canyon and onto the freeway: still hadn't noticed that the mirrors were folded in. (?!) As I was merging left I flicked the turn signal and "Hey!? why are these amber lights flashing in my face?!" It was at that moment when a passing vehicle narrowly missed me that I realized I hadn't seen him. THAT was when I noticed the inward facing mirror. WTH!? Somehow I had managed to do exactly what the OP describes; I had done it aaagain. That was actually the last time: I finally got it.

I wouldn't say the design is bad. Use the arm rest slot to pull the door closed: that's better anyway, because it is easier on the door panel, imho; feels like that, anyway. By not grabbing the dedicated door handle all the time, it will stay looking nice a lot longer too. The mirror positioning switch gets bumped. Live with it. Where it's placed is logical, not bad or stupid.

 

[SKStinger]

I’m surprised there isn’t a safety failsafe that forces the mirrors out when the car is in drive, regardless of switch position.

 

[Waynerm002]

It's always a good idea to spend some time wit the manual to lean the features of the vehicle. My wife had a similar experience with the mirrors not tilting down when she put the car in reverse, she called me about it. I just laughed and told her to open the manual and figure it out. I spend time with her on all our cars to go over the features before she starts driving them but somehow she never remembers. After a point, I gave up and figure, if she really want to know, she is going to have to figure it out on her own. She took the manual and spent a few days with it. For some people, they learn by doing, so I let her do her thing.

 

[westcoastGT]

I’m surprised there isn’t a safety failsafe that forces the mirrors out when the car is in drive, regardless of switch position.

sometimes you need them folded in when getting close to a pillar etc , ie getting as far away from a potential door ding as possible ........I agree about the switch being in a vulnerable position for unintentional contact ................welcome . Sorry for the percieved rough treatment , its all good here !

 

[Wilzer]

Phone and mirrors are a Non sequitur, maybe for levity Had happen several times, the most distressing was at night trying to adjust the side mirrors and getting the wrong toggle. Side mirrors are the key to happiness for drivers with advanced training.

Wish someone would come up with a simple after market cap you could place over the toggle switch and pop off when needed.

I keep hitting it when I reach for the handle when exiting. It's a PIA

 

[MerlintheMad]

I keep hitting it when I reach for the handle when exiting. It's a PIA

Yes. But it gets better. Endeavor to persevere.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Phone and mirrors are a Non sequitur, maybe for levity Had happen several times, the most distressing was at night trying to adjust the side mirrors and getting the wrong toggle. Side mirrors are the key to happiness for drivers with advanced training.

Wish someone would come up with a simple after market cap you could place over the toggle switch and pop off when needed.

I keep hitting it when I reach for the handle when exiting. It's a PIA

U sure you didn’t have an IPA first

 

[MerlintheMad]

U sure you didn’t have an IPA first

Bless the Internet. I know what that stands for!

 

[Long Beach Jim]

Phone and mirrors are a Non sequitur, maybe for levity Had happen several times, the most distressing was at night trying to adjust the side mirrors and getting the wrong toggle. Side mirrors are the key to happiness for drivers with advanced training.

Wish someone would come up with a simple after market cap you could place over the toggle switch and pop off when needed.

I keep hitting it when I reach for the handle when exiting. It's a PIA

Yes that's it, and as you say, "I keep hitting it when I reach for the handle...". Kia should have made the toggle with greater resistance. As new owners we will now be more mindful, but pity the drivers of Stinger rental cars, lol.

 

[Long Beach Jim]

I’m surprised there isn’t a safety failsafe that forces the mirrors out when the car is in drive, regardless of switch position.

I had the same thought today. Thank you. This is a major lawsuit liability for Kia.