# Rear view mirror discoloration

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-view-mirror-discoloration/86464>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 7, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-view-mirror-discoloration/86464 "2014-08-07T19:46:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MSong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MSong](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MSong)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-view-mirror-discoloration/86464/1 "2014-08-07T19:46:09Z")

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I have a 2003 Acura MDX in great condition. This morning I got in the car and the rear view mirror looked strange. The bottom half of it was dim and the upper half was normal. At night, the mirror automatically dims. Now, it looks like the mirror is trying to dim, but there is a “bubble” of normal mirror in the top half. It appears that there is some fluid that might be in between the glass in the rear view mirror. I’m wondering if this is a problem that I need to address right away. I can see things in the rear view mirror fine, it is just inconvenient. Do I need to replace my mirror?

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**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 11:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-view-mirror-discoloration/86464/2 "2014-08-07T23:09:10Z")

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"Do I need to replace my mirror? "

Yes.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-view-mirror-discoloration/86464/3 "2014-08-08T01:40:27Z")

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I’d replace it with a “standard issue” type mirror…Forget the “automatic” feature. You are lucky it lasted this long…

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**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-view-mirror-discoloration/86464/4 "2014-08-08T01:46:50Z")

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I had tho replace the mirrors on my in-laws Buick. You can find replacement units or just the mirror glass.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-view-mirror-discoloration/86464/5 "2014-08-08T05:06:38Z")

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The membrane that contains the chemical the causes the mirror to dim has ruptured.

I would suggest that you place an old towel below the mirror to protect the dash/console until the mirror is replaced. Because that chemical will damage any plastic/vinyl it comes in contact with.

Tester