Ford Focus Zetec 2009 Model - Wing Mirror Query

GoldenEye

Just looking for some help/advice please.

I have a Ford Focus Zetec (2009) that have the new wing mirrors with the integrated indicator.

I just want to know if the wing mirrors retract?

The Ford Users Manual states that it does but I cannot retract it (and it doesn't look like it retracts). I cannot retract them myself and each time I make an attempt it feels like they're going to break! I want to put my car in the garage because of the bad weather. Thanks.

Cool_Username

Thing is some cars have mirrors that fold in without any spring - they fold in without fighting you for want of a better term - and others like the most recent Escort have fairly powerful springs that fight against you.

I'm pretty sure the mirrors on your Focus will fold in if you push hard enough against the spring - if the owner's manual says you can then they're clearly designed to do this - but I owned a 96 Clio that had mirrors similar to the ones you describe and I didn't want to risk folding them too often for fear of breaking them.

Perhaps that fear was unfounded but still I didn't like doing it since plastic and springs will get brittle over time.

Anyway, I'd say your mirrors will probably be okay as long as you're not doing it every day.

Also how narrow is your garage if being unable to fold the mirrors in prevents you driving it inside!? Even if you drive it in you couldn't open the door to get out!

driver22uk

I have a 2008 focus titanium & mine fold back, not flat to the window, but they do fold, you just need to push them.

neilmcl

If you're referring to power assisted folding, according to the Ford wesbite power folding mirrors are not available for the Focus Zetec. However I would imagine they should fold back by hand, just need a little force. I would of thought that there's some law regarding all door mirrors having to be able to be folded back manually on modern cars in the event of a collison with a pedestrian.

GoldenEye

Thanks for the replies guys.

My car does fit in the garage without retraction but... Just before Christmas I reversed out of the garage thinking that the wing mirror was clear on the passenger side. I was wrong... The indicator plastic "shield" (not visible from the front of the car) got caught on the garage side and ripped off the wing mirror! I just want that extra few centimetres of space to put the car in the garage first time.

My Focus doesn't have power-assisted wing mirrors, they're manual. Is there a trick to retracting/pushing them because the mirrors feel very stiff?

maninthestreet

GoldenEye wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys.

My car does fit in the garage without retraction but... Just before Christmas I reversed out of the garage thinking that the wing mirror was clear on the passenger side. I was wrong... The indicator plastic "shield" (not visible from the front of the car) got caught on the garage side and ripped off the wing mirror! I just want that extra few centimetres of space to put the car in the garage first time.

My Focus doesn't have power-assisted wing mirrors, they're manual. Is there a trick to retracting/pushing them because the mirrors feel very stiff?

They need to be given a good shove to make them fold back - they're designed that way, so they don't fold back from just a light knock.

molerat

As above they need a good shove, don't just push them, give them a firm whack with the palm of your hand. If they have not been moved much there will be loads of crap in the joint. Be careful if it is icy though, they may be frozen.

GoldenEye

Thanks again for the advice.

As soon as the "extreme" cold has gone, I'll give this method a try.

Willywally1

i have the exact same model as you and my folks still think that the mirrors dont go in but ive tried and they do!
The trick is to use two hands and kinda push and pull, if you can get it right not alot of force is needed,
good luck

Barneysmom

They do go back, with mine I have to give quite a firm push, it's a bit scary the firsttime but dn't worry, you won't break them.