View Poll Results: How do you position your side-view mirrors?
Adjust mirrors outward so that the viewing angle just overlaps the rearview mirror (Figure 1 & 4)
20
42.55%
Adjust mirrors so that the viewing angle overlaps a portion of the back of the car (Figure 2 & 5)
23
48.94%
Adjust mirrors so that the viewing angle is in between options 1 and 2
4
8.51%
Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll
How do you position your side-view mirrors?
02-23-2010, 12:14 PM
#1
How do you position your side-view mirrors?
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 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
02-23-2010, 12:24 PM
#6
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!
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!
Last edited by Electra; 02-23-2010 at 12:26 PM.
and i turn my center rear view mirror some more to the right to see the blind spot on the right.
02-23-2010, 12:36 PM
#9
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.
02-23-2010, 12:42 PM
#10
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....
Pretty much the best Grandma ever....
02-23-2010, 12:46 PM
#11
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....
Pretty much the best Grandma ever....
Yah who needs rearview mirrors when there's no back window and this woman is smoking a lot of cars on the Nurburgring lol
02-23-2010, 12:52 PM
#12
^ 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
Tell me that guy on the bike at 1:14 didnt go "WTF mate?" when that Van popped up in the side-view LOL
Last edited by Electra; 02-23-2010 at 12:54 PM.
02-23-2010, 12:55 PM
#13
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: East Bay, CA
Posts: 265
Car Info: '06 WRB STI
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.
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.
02-23-2010, 01:29 PM
#14
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: East Bay / Pomona
Posts: 3,670
Car Info: '02 PSM WRX
#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.
