A couple of years ago a driving instructor at the Saab “Aero Academy” changed my whole perspective on the use of side mirrors. In the past I had always adjusted the mirror so that I would see down the side of the car. The instructor said that a better way to adjust the mirror is to not allow the review mirror and side view mirrors to overlap. Try this out while you’re waiting in a parking lot or your driveway. Look into the rear view mirror and then push out your side views until you objects that disappear out of the rear view appear in the side view with maybe just a bit of overlap (in my experience I’ve ended up pushing the side view mirrors almost all the way out). You might have to fine tune this a bit while you’re out on the road, but don’t be a Bott’s Dot driver and weave all over your lane when you do this or you won’t like what you see in your mirror. Anyways, the ultimate goal is that when cars are coming up in an adjacent lane they’ll first appear in the rear view mirror and then slowly fade into your side view as they get into your blind spot. I’ve found that for me, the blind spot is almost eliminated. As a bonus, you’ll find that headlights reflected in the side views will be much less of a problem at night because the mirrors are angled out much more than they used to be.
photo source: monsterfordperformanceproducts.com
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Positioning Side View Mirrors
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2 comments:
I've heard of a similar idea in the Chicago Tribune Auto section (of all places) sometime in the early 1990's. Basically it tells how to adjust the driver's side mirror. First move your head so your ear is almost touching the window (from your normal seated position). Then adjust the mirror so you just manage to see the side of the car. If you do this right, the side mirror will cover the blind spot. And like in your description it's usually as far outwards as it can go. The passenger side mirror usually isn't as important, because the area it covers is visible through the passenger side windows (if you're a driver who actually keeps their head on a swivel.)
The problems with this technique? Getting the 'rents or auto shop technicians to understand how well it works. Usually it means having to re-adjust the mirrors after others have driven your car.
It's true...other drivers always fiddle with the mirrors! My wife brings the mirrors waaaay back! Luckily, I usually don't have to move them up/down, but just push them out again. I'm not complaining though, she drives a stick and lets me buy and sell cars without much of a fuss.
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