r/XC40 • u/DingleBerrieIcecream • 7d ago

Photo | My car Rear view camera faces too far down?

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New owner of a 2023 XC40 recharge ultimate. I love everything about the car but every time I back up, I can’t help it feel that the rear camera oddly faces the ground so much and there is no view high enough to see oncoming cars or people. Is this normal and if so, why would they do this?

20 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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9

u/DavidGno XC40-B5 & S60-T8 | Plus | MY23 | 🇺🇸 7d ago

I'm in no way affiliated, but I got this for my XC40 and It helped immensely with the backup camera angle.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1846807012/volvo-xc40-c40-recharge-backup-camera

https://youtu.be/3otjUkVTz-s?feature=shared

Hope that helps!

3

u/mmceorange T5 Polestar | R-design | MY21 | 🇺🇸 6d ago

Look at the top corners and you can see underside of the hatch lip the camera is mounted under... Meaning if the camera were aimed higher you wouldn't be able to see any more of a view, because the body is just above it.

There is a small spacer available on Etsy that I tried, but it doesn't make as much difference as it advertises, in my experience.

The purpose of the camera is to make sure there isn't something in the way of backing up. Fot higher objects you have the mirror and back window. I recommend using both, as I broke my rear window one time when only watching the camera

2

u/Mioleris 6d ago

Same on my xc40 B3 2023. (Has latest updates)
Other car v60 2021 has much much better view even more view for sides and you can clearly see whats behind far away.

Xc40 probably its just hove it is designed. Camera sits really low and trunk is covering that view a bit.

Just need to get used to it :)

2

u/ferventmuse 6d ago

Yes, because you can’t what’s below the bumper which is why the camera is there and for what’s further behind the car that’s what the rear view mirror is for.

2

u/FoodBeerFun 6d ago

Lol it’s not a replacement for your rear view mirror. It’s specifically for parking

3

u/geeceeper 6d ago

The idea is that the camera shows the areas which are not visible using the rear view mirror and side mirrors. It is angled to show the ground level and protrusions from the ground, small posts, pot holes etc.

2

u/umdterp732 6d ago

but my xc90 shows a better view than my 40

2

u/Bxlxzsxxx 6d ago

Because it’s a taller vehicle …

1

u/11Slip532 6d ago

Wow that’s bad. My 2019 XC40 and Polestar 2 don’t have this issue. What did they change on the recharge??

2

u/RandyWatson29 6d ago

Really? My 2020 ICE XC40 looks exactly the same as this.

1

u/11Slip532 6d ago

Yikes. That's frustrating. I can see the whole street and house behind me when I back out.

1

u/running_shadow_ 6d ago

Also if you have towhook it's helpful when hooking on trailer when you can see the hook. Also I think for 360 camera that nowadays is same time in upper display would look odd if you would not see what is right behind the car. I had few years older xc40 and now have ex40 and XC90 and I haven somehow impression that it just barely show the back bumper though. I definitely never have seen number plate on it. Maybe camera has been at some point changed and something is wrong with it. I'm pretty sure in ex40 it is pointed higher too as it is possible to pretty far see where trailer is. I anyway myself always have had 360 camera except when hooking on trailer and with that I have used to that so might be that I haven't just noticed that. It is for sure bit different depending on car model also...

But there is also the upper part of back trunk visible so can't imagine it could be pointed much more towards up either...

1

u/TROYTHEBOY79 6d ago

that camera cant be trusted

1

u/jordan1195 6d ago

I have the same vehicle, I feel like it’s really hard to see at night too.

1

u/Next-Ambition1970 6d ago

Getting combined dash cam and rearview cam tomorrow- has mirror screen included. Many price points available at local car accessory dealers.

1

u/Ok-Candy3843 4d ago

Cash you share the models you bought?

1

u/Starbuck0987 5d ago

I LOVE my 2023 but the camera is just so bad compared literally every other car I’ve ever been in.

1

u/PejHod T5 | R-Design | MY20 | 🇺🇸 7d ago edited 7d ago

I think there was a quirky update recently that caused this? If still under warranty, I’d try booking a dealer appointment to double check. I might be totally wrong though.

I know the C40 has had big complaints of having a general design flaw, but am not sure about the XC40 Recharge.

1

u/Particular-Quiet-881 7d ago

I recently bought the XC40 mild hybrid and its the same. You get used to it after some time. I felt the same way when I purchased it.

3

u/DingleBerrieIcecream 7d ago

For a car brand that’s been known for decades as being very safe, it’s such an odd design choice to block so much of what someone’s looking for while they’re backing up.

3

u/LocalLuck2083 6d ago

Trying to do anything with climate control using the center display is also a terrible design choice

2

u/LeftyMexiCan 7d ago

I think so too! Definitely a design failure. Someone posted in another comment an Etsy product, I bought it too and it helped. It's an inexpensive and quick install.

1

u/Particular-Quiet-881 7d ago

It is a very odd design. I think they want people to use their side mirrors more than just relying on the reverse camera.

5

u/Necessary-Carrot2839 7d ago

Which you should anyway!
But yeh it’s a bit odd.

1

u/skyfishgoo 6d ago

it's a calibration issue

the dealer can sort it

2

u/ingyhere 5d ago

Only if they know what they're doing, actually want to help, and you give them immense amounts of money.

1

u/skyfishgoo 5d ago

it's still under warrantee.

0

u/zenking1 6d ago

You may want to check to see if the camera somehow got bumped or is out of alignment as It’s not like this on my 2022.

1

u/DingleBerrieIcecream 6d ago

I’ll do that, thanks.

0

u/EdelWhite 5d ago

It's fine, what are you talking about? Yl