Adjusting Rear and Sideview Mirrors

Many automobile associations and experienced drivers have determined there is a correct way to adjust one’s rear- and sideview mirrors for optimum visibility. The National Motorists Association, Smart Motorist, Inc. and others note that we rely on our mirrors the most when backing up and when changing lanes. Our objective should be to change position without getting in other drivers’ ways or cutting them off.

The positioning for the inside rearview mirror is fairly obvious—you should be able to see out of the rear window. Be sure the day/night switch found on most rearview mirrors is in the day position during daytime operation.

As for the side mirror or mirrors, most people adjust them so they can see the side of the car on the inside edge of the mirror. But when the sideview mirrors are set up as just described, you essentially have created “tunnel vision” to the rear. Your sideview mirrors overlap much of what your inside rearview mirror already sees, and you’ve also created blind spots.

What is the solution to tunnel vision and blind spots? Simply adjust the sideview mirrors just beyond the point where you can see the side of the car on the inside edge of the mirror. With this setup, you almost completely solve the blind spot problem. To correctly adjust the outside mirrors this way, follow these two steps:

• For the driver’s side mirror, roll up the window and press your head against the glass. Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the edge of the car.
• For the passenger’s side mirror, place your head in the center of the car (directly behind the inside mirror mount) and adjust the outside mirror so that you can just see the edge of the car. This is necessary even with convex (curved) mirrors where the image is distorted a little.

If all three of your mirrors are aligned correctly, you should be able to see a vehicle leaving your rearview mirror seamlessly transfer to one of yourside view mirrors without any delay Vehicles present that aren’t visible in your mirrors are the ones you need to worry about. Drivers with good peripheral vision will see them when they check their sideview mirrors. However, if you rely solely on your interior rearview mirror, you’re asking for trouble.

Thousands of accidents occur each year because people changing lanes fail to see a vehicle that is right next to them. Diligent use of all three of your mirrors should prevent you from getting in another driver’s way or cutting them off. A good guideline for deciding when to move into the passing lane or back into the traveling lane is to make sure that you can see the headlights of the vehicle you’re passing in the rearview mirror.

This method may take some getting used to—however, it works!