I've noticed this a few times now.
I was driving down a local road and it was nice outside, so I rolled down the window and just stuck my arm out a little.. and just happened to touch the side view mirror and it was HOT. This was a few days ago when my temp gauge read 71. That night I was coming back from gf's house and I happened to remember it and touched the mirror just to confirm. And it was hot too.

So are the heated mirrors always on when a car's on?
It makes more sense to have that on only when the rear defroster's on, or does my car have faulty side view mirrors?

I've noticed this a few times now.
I was driving down a local road and it was nice outside, so I rolled down the window and just stuck my arm out a little.. and just happened to touch the side view mirror and it was HOT. This was a few days ago when my temp gauge read 71. That night I was coming back from gf's house and I happened to remember it and touched the mirror just to confirm. And it was hot too.

So are the heated mirrors always on when a car's on?
It makes more sense to have that on only when the rear defroster's on, or does my car have faulty side view mirrors?

Heat is always on for the side mirrors and the windsheild washer hood nubbies.

Always on w/ heated mirrors package, also when your key is in position 2 as well. Noticed this when my car was getting tinted and my tint guy asked if I could turn them off, I was puzzled that they were on but realized if I shut off completely they turn off.