How To Adjust Your Side Mirrors For Maximum Safety & Visibility
Source: Pixabay
Modern cars are filled with an abundance of safety equipment like anti-lock brakes, three-point safety belts, and airbags. Still, one feature that often gets overlooked (figuratively and literally) is a side view mirror. It’s a safety device gracing automobiles for over a century, but only some know how to adjust side mirrors for maximum effect.
Newer vehicles are available with blind-spot monitoring that seeks to counteract the inherent weakness of side mirrors. And other technologies (such as sensors and cameras) warn of objects and people in the way during low-speed maneuvering. But, these systems are not on every vehicle, especially if you have an older ride. That makes knowing how to adjust side mirrors crucial. Read on as we review this essential driver activity, along with other safety matters to be aware of.
How to Adjust Side Mirrors
Learning how to adjust side mirrors is all about minimizing blind spots and maximizing what can be seen from the driver’s seat. The first step in the process is correcting a falsehood about side mirror adjustments.
Many drivers believe the correct way to set the side view mirror is to keep the head centered in one’s standard driving position and align the mirrors so that only a tiny portion of the car is visible in the reflections. But, this approach simply duplicates what mostly already appears in the rearview mirror and still leaves a blind spot on each side of the vehicle.
Instead, align your body to the left and place your head on the window. Next, position the driver’s side mirror so that only a small portion of the car can be seen. The passenger side mirror will need adjustment, too. So, shift to the right so your head is centered with the rearview mirror. Then, move the right side mirror so that the side of the car is barely visible. Get help if the vehicle lacks remote mirror adjustment controls.
GET THE SAME INSIDER INFO THAT DEALERSHIPS USE
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Built using the same technology that dealerships use, we’ll show you everything you want to know about each listing - like how long it’s been on the lot, or if there are similar vehicles at a better price nearby.
How to Adjust the Rear View Mirror
With the side mirrors taken care of, you’ll want to turn your attention to the rearview mirror, which should be positioned to see the road behind you. The idea is to be able to quickly glance from a front view to a rearview without moving your body. A taller or shorter driver may need to adjust the center mirror vertically to maximize the outward view.
Driving with New Mirror Positions
Getting behind the wheel and not seeing your car in the side view mirrors can be unsettling at first. But, these new mirror placements help minimize blind spots by not creating an overlap between the side mirrors and the rearview mirror. This approach is validated by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), which looked into the issue in a 1995 research report (long before blind-spot monitoring technology hit the market).
Before hitting the road with new mirror positions, park where it’s easy to observe passing traffic in the mirrors. Watch when vehicles become visible in both the side view and rearview mirrors. You can set to the streets more confidently with a bit of practice.
It’s also a best practice to look over the appropriate shoulder before a lane change. Don’t assume that mirrors (or advanced safety technology, for that matter) can eliminate every blind spot.
This is also a good time to review how your car’s mirrors operate at night. A newer, fancier vehicle may have automatic adjustments that minimize the glare from headlights from the rear. At a minimum, the rearview mirror will likely have a tab at the bottom to set things for driving during the dark. The owner’s manual will detail how the mirrors work in your car.
Other Essential Adjustments
Correctly setting the mirrors is only part of the equation for safe driving; other components need adjustment, too.
Driver’s Seat
Correctly positioning the driver’s seat helps reduce blind spots, minimizes fatigue during long journeys, and ensures better vehicle control. Regardless of the driver’s seat having manual or power controls, you’ll want to adjust things so that you can grasp the steering wheel (at the three o’clock and 9 o’clock spots) so the arms are slightly bent (there’s less control if the arms are too straight). Arms that are too bent may put the torso and head unnecessarily close to the airbag.
At the same time, the pedals should be fully accessible without shifting or elevating the body from the seated position. Ensure that the knee doesn’t come in contact with the steering column as your right leg moves between the accelerator and brake pedals. If the car has a clutch pedal, this should also be the case with the left leg and knee.
Determining the ideal driver’s position will come from moving the seat base forward and backward, angling the seat back, and raising and lowering the seat (if your car has these adjustments).
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?
Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last? How often should you replace your brakes? We’ve got answers
Steering Wheel/Steering Column
Finding the sweet spot for a driver involves adjusting the steering wheel and steering column if your car is so equipped (the controls may be manually or electrically operated). Depending on the vehicle, the steering wheel itself may be moveable or just the steering column. Some cars may allow for the adjustment of both components. Remember the guidelines above for driver’s seat positioning in determining how to place the steering wheel or steering column.
Seat Belt
While a seat belt won’t avoid a blind spot or help identify the perfect driver’s seat position, it’s still part of being a safe driver (and a safe passenger). Seat belts offer maximum protection when placed correctly on the body.
This means the lower portion of the belt should rest on the lap, not the stomach. Meanwhile, the upper part of the belt should lie across the collarbone, not the neck. Some cars have front-row vertical adjustment controls that can help the process.
THE BEST CARS FOR SNOW
Winter driving impacts young and experienced drivers alike. We’ve compiled a list of the best cars for snow, so you can get from Point A to Point B as safely as possible.
Pedals
While not common equipment, some larger SUVs and trucks offer adjustable pedals. It’s a feature that can help set a proper seat position for smaller drivers.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
