Why not explore heated mirrors that rely on a heated liquid rather than electric elements, drawing the heat from the cooling system itself. Liquid warming of rear-view mirrors presents an alternative approach where the tubing is connected to a compact heating loop. The idea is to circulate a warm antifreeze through a dedicated circuit, pulling heat from the vehicle’s cooling system to keep the mirror surface free from frost. This setup is a clever reuse of existing thermal resources and demonstrates how automotive engineers can repurpose familiar components for new uses.
The decision to pursue this liquid heating method was unusual. While electric heating is fast and straightforward, the team chose to test an unconventional path to see how it would perform in real conditions and what engineering challenges might arise. The short experiment aimed to compare warming speed, reliability, and energy usage with the more common electric route, while inviting hands-on tinkering and learning from the process.
The entire experiment is captured in a detailed video, which shows the step-by-step assembly, the routing of the tubes, and the initial results. Viewers can observe how the system cycles antifreeze through a loop near the mirror and how the heat transfer progresses across the glass surface, offering a practical demonstration of thermal management in a compact automotive subsystem.
In the end, the experiment delivered tangible results: within about four minutes the mirrors began to warm and any ice formed on the glass started to melt. After roughly 15 minutes, the frost was largely gone and visibility improved, validating the concept as a viable heat source for rear-view mirrors in colder environments. The testing also highlighted how temperature differentials influence the efficiency of heat transfer and how quickly the liquid loop responds to changes in ambient conditions.
Though the project was conducted on an older Zhiguli, the approach is broadly applicable to a wide range of vehicles. The discussion in the comments from Garage 54 enthusiasts suggested extending the same liquid-heat principle to other cabin components, such as heating the steering wheel using antifreeze or warming the floor for enhanced comfort. These ideas illustrate how a single experimental concept can inspire multiple cooling-system adaptations and passenger comfort improvements.
One idea inevitably leads to another, underscoring the iterative nature of hands-on engineering projects. The liquid-heating concept opens doors to exploring how existing automotive systems can be repurposed to add functionality, reduce energy draw from primary systems, and increase overall driving safety in challenging weather. By sharing the process, the creators invite fellow hobbyists and professionals to weigh in with modifications, improvements, and new applications for liquid-based thermal management in cars.
Video: YouTube
Photo: screenshot
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