If you now possess a driver’s license and you’ve been driving for some time, you presumably have some experience in how to adjust car mirrors.
However, where you want to fix your mirror may not be the best for getting optimum visibility.
How would you correctly adjust the mirrors on your automobile in that situation? Keep reading to see how.
Here’s How to Adjust Car Mirrors
1. Take a Seat Behind the Wheel
Adjust the steering wheel and the seat so you can use the gear lever, accelerator, and brake pedal while still feeling comfortable.
Posture is crucial when placing your mirror since it significantly impacts what you perceive in the mirror.
This does not, however, entail sitting in an odd posture since, if you do, what you see when driving will be considerably different from what you see when you adjust the mirror.
Consider taking some personal responsibility for your sitting posture when driving. For instance, if you are used to driving while sitting tall, do so while adjusting your mirrors.
2. Carefully Turn the Rearview Mirror
You must do this to look right out of the center of your rear windshield without turning your head.
The point is to gaze easily from one spot without turning or shifting your body.
3. Press Buttons to Adjust the Electrically Adjusting Mirrors
The physical process by which you may adjust your mirrors’ angle has seen a significant shift as technology has advanced. Many systems in contemporary automobiles now move electronically.
To know this, you’ll notice four arrows on the controls, which typically sit just on the right side of the steering wheel, indicating which way the mirror will go.
Additionally, a right/left control switch will often be present to select which mirror to adjust.
If you need help finding the controls, try online because you may stash some away in odd places.
4. Start With Adjusting the Driver-Side Mirror
Adjust as necessary, then recline in the driver’s seat so you can see the road behind and a small portion of your vehicle’s side.
5. Slant Your Head to the Center Console on the Right
While in this position, do this and adjust the passenger-side mirror so that you can just about make out the right side of your automobile.
If you can’t change your mirror remotely, you might require help from a friend to set the passenger-side mirror in the right place.
6. Modify the Mirrors’ Left-Right Plane
You will hardly see the edges of your automobile’s back if you do it right. The mirror might be too close if you see much of your vehicle and too far away if you can see no car. These two scenarios will widen your blind spot.
No matter how perfectly your mirrors are set, you will still have a blind area; the goal is to reduce this blind spot.
7. Adjust the Rearview Mirror
You should do this so that the full-back window is visible. You will have an equal field of view on both sides and the broadest possible field of vision.
If your mirror is at the proper angle, you will see pretty far behind in the lanes at the back.
The goal is to rapidly glance at this mirror, obtain the picture, and look behind the road because you use it the most when driving.
8. Invert the Mirror if You Are Taller Than 6 Feet
By doing this, the mirror is moved such that the bottom border is 1 to 2 inches higher than it would otherwise be. This implies that a very tall driver’s blind spot is much smaller.
9. Use the Night-View Setting to Reduce Glare
The cars at the back side will have turned on their lights when you use this mirror during night hours, so there will probably be some glare.
You may activate the night-view option for this mirror in most automobiles. The button that is fastened to the mirror is often located there, either on the side or beneath.
Simply put, this option will make it easier for you to deal with glare. If you forget to turn it off, leaving the setting on throughout the day won’t make much difference because it only dims the light coming in.
10. Find the Buttons or Levers for the Side Mirror Adjustments
On the driver’s side door of many more recent versions, there is a little lever or joystick that electronically sets the side mirrors.
Older versions frequently need to be manually adjusted by pushing on the mirror or using a lever.
Extra Safety Tips
While adjusting your car mirrors, you need to be cautious. Here’s how:
- Check blind spots before you change lanes, and adjust the mirrors on your car for the best visibility. Even correctly adjusted mirrors can’t wholly remove blind areas, after all. This defensive measure minimizes the chances of being involved in an accident even further.
- Get used to this new mirror setup. A broader outward field of view may be confusing if you’re used to seeing only a tiny portion of your automobile within every side view mirror when sitting upright. Watch the movement of oncoming traffic in your rearview and side mirrors as you pull over. When ready, drive through traffic and try out your new mirror settings.
- Adjust the rearview mirror for driving at night. You can dim the headlights of the automobiles approaching from behind you using the tab positioned at the bottom of manual mirrors. Power mirrors automatically switch to nighttime mode to avoid possible blinding caused by headlights when driving.
The Bottom Line
The rearview is essential to observe your driving lane and any oncoming vehicles. Therefore, you need to learn how to adjust car mirrors to be on the safe side.
Settle into a comfortable position while sitting up straight before adjusting the mirror. Look in the rearview mirror while keeping your head perfectly still. You should change the mirror to frame the whole back window properly.
Remember to switch the tab on the rearview mirror bottom when driving at night. This is to ensure the light projected from the mirror towards your eyes doesn’t blind you.
An experienced driving instructor can help you learn how to adjust car mirrors and other driving skills. Get your personalized driving lesson today and become a professional driver.