Driving safety directly depends on how well the driver controls the situation around his vehicle. A huge role in this process is played by the correct setting of rear-view mirrors, which is often ignored by inexperienced car enthusiasts. Many drivers expose reflective surfaces to the eye, which leads to dangerous blind spots and increases the risk of accidents when changing lanes.
There is a misconception that the more you can see the side of your own car in the side mirror, the better. Actually side pillars are already perfectly visible with peripheral vision, and the reflection of your own door only steals the useful viewing area. Proper adjustment allows you to turn the mirrors into an effective tool for monitoring the road situation, minimizing the need to turn your head to monitor “dead” spots.
In this article we will look at proven tuning techniques used by driving instructors and professional pilots. You will learn how to set up side mirrors and a central element so that the picture is as informative as possible. The correct approach to this issue takes only a few minutes, but saves your nerves, and sometimes your life, for many years.
Preparing to adjust mirrors
Before you start turning knobs or pressing buttons, you must take the correct position in the chair. The mirrors are adjusted exclusively for the driver who will drive the car, so adjusting the seat and steering column is a primary and mandatory step. If you sit incorrectly, the mirrors will be adjusted incorrectly, which will distort the perception of the car’s dimensions.
Your back should be pressed firmly against the back of the seat, and your arms should be extended and reach the top of the steering wheel with your wrists. Only by fixing this working fit, you can begin a visual assessment. You should not adjust the mirrors when there are passengers or cargo in the car that changes the ground clearance, as this will change the angle of the body.
Be sure to wipe mirror surfaces from dust, dirt and traces of insects. Even small dirt can create glare or distort the picture, especially in the dark. Clean optics are the key to correctly assessing the distance to objects behind.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to adjust the mirrors on the move! This action requires concentration and taking your eyes off the road, which can lead to an emergency. Pull into a safe parking lot.
Setting the central rear view mirror
The central mirror, located in the cabin on the windshield or dashboard, is the main tool for monitoring the situation directly behind the car. The main task when adjusting it is to ensure maximum visibility of the rear window without losing your bearings. Ideally horizon line should pass approximately in the middle of the visible part of the mirror.
The driver must see the entire width of the rear window through the central mirror. It is important to keep the rear seat headrest out of sight as it blocks your view. If the headrest is in the way, it should be lowered or, if the design allows, slightly tilted forward.
Some modern cars are equipped automatic dimming (electrochromic mirrors) that react to headlights from behind. When setting them up, it is important not to overlap the light sensors, usually located on the mirror body. In a regular mirror, it is important that the right edge reflects the right rear corner of the car, and the left edge reflects the left, creating a symmetrical picture.
If there is a tall passenger in the cabin, ask him to tilt his head or temporarily lower the headrest to adjust the mirror, and then return everything to how it was.
Adjusting the left side mirror
The left (driver's) mirror is adjusted taking into account that the driver is on the left. The basic principle here is to minimize the visibility of your own body, leaving only a small strip for reference. The horizontal line should divide the mirror space approximately in half: half the sky and half the road.
In the vertical plane, it is necessary to achieve such a position that front door handle or the edge of the wing occupied no more than 10-15% of the reflector area. This allows you to see the widest possible sector of the road to the left and behind. If you see too much of your car, you lose control of the next lane.
If configured correctly, you should be able to see cars far behind and in the next lane in the left mirror. When the car behind you begins to level up with you, it smoothly transitions from the central mirror to the side mirror. This ensures continuous traffic monitoring.
- 🚗 Make sure that the horizon line is clearly visible and not blocked.
- 🚙 Your own body should occupy a minimum area in the reflection.
- 🚕 The viewing angle should cover the adjacent lane.
Adjusting the right side mirror
The right mirror requires a special approach, since the driver is further away from it, and the viewing angle is different from the left one. The rule here is: the horizon is divided in the proportion of 1/3 sky and 2/3 road. This tilt is necessary to better control curbs, parking bollards and pedestrians on the starboard side.
Also, in the right mirror you are allowed to see a little more of your own body - up to 20% of the area. This helps you better feel the dimensions of the car when driving in heavy traffic or when parking. Side clearance the right is often more difficult to assess, so a small reference in the form of a door handle will be helpful.
It's important to be aware of blind spots. Even a perfectly adjusted right mirror may not show a car that is in the area between the side and center mirrors. Therefore, before changing lanes to the right, it is always necessary control head turn.
☑️ Checking the right mirror settings
Method for eliminating blind spots
Blind spots are areas of the road on the sides of the car that are not visible in any of the three mirrors. The traditional setting, where you can see a lot of your car in the side mirrors, creates huge blind spots in the corners. The modern technique involves “turning” the side mirrors outward.
The essence of the method is to not see your car in the side mirrors at all. With this setting, when the car behind leaves the central mirror, it immediately appears in the side mirror. This creates the effect of a panoramic view. However, you need to get used to this setting, since the usual reference point disappears.
To check for blind spots, have a helper walk slowly around a stationary vehicle. You should see it move continuously: from the central mirror it moves to the side mirror, and then appears in your peripheral vision. If the assistant disappears from sight, (fine tuning) of the rotation angle is required.
⚠️ Attention: When setting the mirrors "without body" it is more difficult to park. To park, use the rear view camera or temporarily tilt the mirror down, if your car has such a function.
Electronic systems and additional functions
In modern cars, the adjustment process is often automated. Systems can have multiple memory profiles for different drivers, which is convenient for family cars. Control is carried out using the joystick on the door or via the touch screen in the menu Settings → Comfort → Mirrors.
Particular attention should be paid to the heating function. It not only melts ice in winter, but also evaporates condensation when it rains. If the mirrors are fogged up, turning on the heating is a mandatory procedure before starting to drive. Also, many cars are equipped with a function that automatically tilts the right mirror when reverse gear is engaged.
Below is a table comparing the types of mirrors and their features:
| Mirror type | Benefits | Disadvantages | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | Does not distort distance | Small viewing angle | Central salon |
| Spherical | Wide view | Distorts the distance | Lateral (outer part) |
| Aspherical | Combines overview and reality | It's harder to get used to | Optimal for side |
| Panoramic | Maximum sector | Strong distortion at the edges | Additional pads |
What is an aspherical mirror?
An aspherical mirror has a complex surface shape: the inner part is almost flat and shows the real distance, and the outer part is more convex, expanding the view. The transition boundary is often indicated by a vertical stripe.
Typical setup mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is raising the mirror too high, when the driver sees mainly the sky and the roofs of neighboring cars. This is not helpful since the danger usually comes from ground level vehicles. Horizon line must always be visible.
Another mistake is excessively tilting the mirrors inward onto your body. The driver thinks that this way he has better control over his dimensions, but in reality he loses sight of the entire lane of traffic. A car trying to overtake becomes visible only when it has already caught up with you.
Ignoring the cleanliness of mirrors at night is also fatal. Dirt blurs the light of the headlights from behind, creating a “fog” effect and blinding the driver. Regular washing of glass and mirror elements is part of the driving culture.
Correctly adjusted mirrors allow you to minimize head turns, but do not completely eliminate them. Monitoring blind spots by turning your head before a maneuver is mandatory!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why do the side mirrors say "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"?
This inscription is typical for American right-hand mirrors, which have a convex shape to expand the view. Convexity distorts perspective, making objects appear smaller and further away than they actually are. In Europe and the Russian Federation, such mirrors are marked with the sign “E” with a number.
How to adjust the mirrors if the driver's height is very different from the standard?
If you are short or tall, you first need to correctly adjust the seat height and backrest angle. If the standard adjustments are not enough, you can use special cushions on the seat or, as a last resort, replace the mirror elements with larger or panoramic ones.
Do I need to stick on extra small round mirrors?
It's a matter of habit. For beginners, they can be useful to quickly learn to feel the dimensions. However, experienced drivers often refuse them, since the main spherical mirror, when properly configured, provides enough information, and unnecessary details are distracting.
What to do if the mirror breaks or fails?
Operating a car with a broken mirror is prohibited by traffic regulations in many countries. It is necessary to replace the mirror element or the entire housing assembly. You can temporarily use magnetic mirror covers, but this solution is only for getting to the service station.