How do you normally position your side-view mirrors when you drive? Do you position them far outward so that the viewing angle of the side mirrors just overlaps that of the cabin’s rearview mirror (Figure 1 & 4)? Or do you position them so that you see a little of the backside of your car (Figure 2 & 5)?



I saw this on C&D's website and thought it was interesting. I'm used to Figure 2 & 5 and looking over my shoulder to check my blind spot.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features..._spots-feature

 

i tend to do #1 and #4.

 

#2 and #5 and looking over the shoulder ftw!

 

I do 2 and 5 and just check over the shoulder.

 

I position them so there's no overlap between them and my rearview.

 

I usually have #2/#5 for my subie as well as my truck. I like beind able to watch people and I am used to checking over my shoulder for the blind spot. Although the boob & harnesses combination hinder that sometimes.... :/
In a lifted truck though its an entirely different game. So no matter how I adjust them I still lose vehicles entirely! People tend to tailgate so closely all I can see if their antenna over my tailgate. They dont realize that my blindspots are different and they just hang out behind me SO freaking close I lose them in my side-mirrors! I hate that!!! Such BS! Argh *rant*
When I used to caravan with a friend in an RX-7, he got so close sometimes all I could see was the top of the sunroof (if it was open, snice mazda has that awesome design) otherwise I lost him completely!

 

i do #1 and #5, since i find it easy to look over my right shoulder.

confused, it makes me look.

 

i am in between... and i turn my center rear view mirror some more to the right to see the blind spot on the right.

 

I only use my right side view mirror when parking lol. I have one of those wide rectangular rearview mirrors (like those Broadway mirrors) so I have no problems seeing cars in my blind spot on the right. For the left I use Figure 2 and look over my shoulder.

 

This thread reminds me of what my Italian-Grandmother used to say anytime we were in the car together and the subject of rear-view mirrors came up, "Screw the mirrors! First rule of Italian auto-racing is 'what'sa behind ya, doesnta matter!'."
Pretty much the best Grandma ever....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KiC03_wVjc

Yah who needs rearview mirrors when there's no back window and this woman is smoking a lot of cars on the Nurburgring lol

 

^ I saw that when it was on TV, freaking AMAZING!
Tell me that guy on the bike at 1:14 didnt go "WTF mate?" when that Van popped up in the side-view LOL

 

My first day on the race track at Infineon, my instructor gave me some advice on my side mirrors that I follow to this day.

For your drivers side mirror, lean left until your head is against the window, and set the mirror so you can just see your rear quarter panel.

For your passenger side mirror, lean right, until your head is even with your rearview mirror (basically on the centerline of the car, then adjust your passenger side mirror until you can just see the quarter panel.

When you sit normally in your seat, your blind spot should be virtually gone. Driving like this took me a few weeks of getting used to on the freeway, but it has helped me avoid several "emergency swerve" incidents.

However, as my instructor warned, this is NOT a replacement for looking over your shoulder to check for cars and motorcycles (especially). So even though my mirrors are akin to 1 and 4 in the diagram, I still check over my shoulder before every lane change.

 

#2/#5, I was taught that way and it stuck. For the right side mirror I use my door handle as a position guide, since my right mirror is slightly angled down a bit more so I can see a bit of the curb when I'm parking along the street.

 

+1