How to Correctly Adjust Your Car Mirrors
How to Correctly Adjust Your Car Mirrors
Modern vehicles are
equipped with three rearview mirrors: one on each side of the vehicle and a
rearview mirror mounted in the upper center section of the windshield. By
knowing how to correctly adjust your car mirrors, you will be able experience
the highest level of visibility from the driver's seat.
Adjusting the Interior Rearview Mirror
The interior rearview mirror is designed to show the driver what is happening behind the vehicle. It should be positioned only after the driver has adjusted their seat and steering wheel for driving comfort. It should display as much of the rear window as possible.
The interior rearview mirror is designed to show the driver what is happening behind the vehicle. It should be positioned only after the driver has adjusted their seat and steering wheel for driving comfort. It should display as much of the rear window as possible.
A driver should use the rearview mirror to monitor traffic behind his or her vehicle, including vehicles traveling at a distance in adjacent lanes. However, the rearview mirror, when properly adjusted, will not reveal fellow motorists that might be traveling in lanes immediately adjacent to your car. This area is known as the "blind spot."
Adjusting the Side Mirrors
After you have adjusted your interior rearview mirror, it is time to adjust your side mirrors. Your car's side mirrors are designed to show the driver what is happening in blind spots.
To properly adjust the side mirrors, move them to a position so that you can just barely see the side of your own vehicle. Next, move them just a little bit further out so that you can no longer see the side of your car. When positioned like this, the mirrors will show as much of the adjacent lanes as possible and you will best understand the orientation of the display.
After you have adjusted your interior rearview mirror, it is time to adjust your side mirrors. Your car's side mirrors are designed to show the driver what is happening in blind spots.
To properly adjust the side mirrors, move them to a position so that you can just barely see the side of your own vehicle. Next, move them just a little bit further out so that you can no longer see the side of your car. When positioned like this, the mirrors will show as much of the adjacent lanes as possible and you will best understand the orientation of the display.
Blind Spots Will Remain
Even though you've adjusted your mirrors to eliminate as much of your blind spots as possible, there will still be areas immediately next to your vehicle that you cannot see. When changing lanes or turning, make sure to always lean forward and look in your side mirror to make sure that the lane next to you is clear.
Leaning forward instead of turning your head and looking over your shoulder is safer because when you lean forward, you look away from the traffic ahead. In the event that the vehicles in front of yours begin to brake, you will have less time to decrease your speed, which may result in an accident.
Even though you've adjusted your mirrors to eliminate as much of your blind spots as possible, there will still be areas immediately next to your vehicle that you cannot see. When changing lanes or turning, make sure to always lean forward and look in your side mirror to make sure that the lane next to you is clear.
Leaning forward instead of turning your head and looking over your shoulder is safer because when you lean forward, you look away from the traffic ahead. In the event that the vehicles in front of yours begin to brake, you will have less time to decrease your speed, which may result in an accident.
