Are the mirrors on both sides of the car called rearview mirrors or reflecting mirrors?
2 Answers
The mirrors on both sides of the car are called rearview mirrors. The car has three rearview mirrors in total: left, center, and right. Whether parking, reversing, or changing lanes, rearview mirrors are essential and play a crucial role in ensuring driving safety. Their function is to reflect the conditions behind, beside, and below the car, allowing the driver to indirectly see these areas clearly, thereby expanding the driver's field of vision and enhancing safety during reversing and driving. Rearview mirrors can be divided into two types: externally adjustable and internally adjustable. Externally adjustable mirrors require the driver to manually adjust the mirror frame or surface while the car is parked. This method is time-consuming and labor-intensive, making it difficult to complete adjustments conveniently in one go. The driver must reach out of the window to adjust, which is inconvenient while driving or during rainy conditions. Generally, large vehicles, trucks, and low-end buses use externally adjustable mirrors to reduce costs. Internally adjustable mirrors allow the driver to adjust the rearview mirrors while driving, providing more convenient conditions for observing the rear view. Most mid-range and high-end cars use internally adjustable mirrors. This method can be further divided into manual adjustment (via wire cable transmission or a handle) and electric adjustment. Since the position of the rearview mirrors directly affects the driver's ability to observe the rear of the car, and adjusting them can be challenging—especially for the mirror on the front passenger side—modern cars mostly feature electric rearview mirrors controlled by an electrical system.
As an experienced driver, I believe the thing on both sides of the car is called the rearview mirror, mainly used to help us observe the situation behind the vehicle and avoid accidents when reversing or changing lanes. I remember when I first started driving, people often called it the reflecting mirror, but in terms of functionality, the rearview mirror is specifically designed for rear vision, which aligns better with the terminology. In daily driving, if it's not properly adjusted, it can create large blind spots, leading to safety hazards—I recommend adjusting your seating position first before driving, aligning the edge of the mirror with the rear lane to maintain a clear view. Regularly cleaning the mirror surface is also crucial, as rain or dust can blur it; nowadays, some new cars even come with automatic heating or folding features, but the core still relies on it to enhance driving safety. During every maintenance check, I always take a moment to inspect whether the mirror is loose or worn to prevent unexpected detachment that could affect driving.
