Can the Rearview Mirror Fold Outward?
3 Answers
Rearview mirrors can fold outward. Car rearview mirrors are located on the left and right sides of the front of the car, as well as inside the front of the car. The rearview mirrors reflect the conditions behind, beside, and below the car, allowing the driver to indirectly see these areas clearly. They serve as the "second pair of eyes," expanding the driver's field of vision. Structural Principle of Rearview Mirrors: Rearview mirrors have a field of view issue, which refers to the range that the mirror surface can reflect. The industry has proposed three elements of the field of view: the distance between the driver's eyes and the rearview mirror, the size of the rearview mirror, and the curvature radius of the rearview mirror. There is a certain relationship among these three elements. When the distance and size of the rearview mirror are the same, the smaller the curvature radius of the mirror surface, the larger the field of view reflected by the mirror. When the curvature radius of the mirror surface is the same, the larger the size of the mirror surface, the larger the field of view reflected by the mirror. Reflectivity Index of Rearview Mirrors: Rearview mirrors also have a reflectivity index. The higher the reflectivity, the clearer the image reflected by the mirror surface. The level of reflectivity is related to the reflective film material on the inner surface of the mirror.
Folding the side mirrors outward is possible on many vehicles, especially those designed with this feature in mind. When driving my car, I often manually push the mirror housing outward in tight parking spots or narrow streets to avoid scraping against obstacles. Most modern vehicles support either manual or power folding; manual types require applying some force to the mirror housing, while power versions have a button for one-touch operation. Folding outward rather than inward prevents intrusion into cabin space and protects the mirror surface. I recommend folding gently to avoid damaging the spring mechanism or plastic components in the folding assembly. Always ensure the mirror locks into place before driving, as an unsecured mirror may vibrate and obstruct visibility. Some older or specific models may lack this feature—check your owner's manual or test with a key to confirm. This design is extremely practical, especially for urban driving in congested areas, saving considerable repair costs.
Folding the side mirrors outward is no problem, in my experience it's quite common. As a driver with twenty years of experience, every time I park I gently push the mirrors to fold outward to avoid scraping against walls. Most car mirrors can be folded from the body section, but not all; when folding manually, push slowly until you hear a click indicating it's locked. Power folding is even more convenient—just press a button. However, remember to readjust the mirror angle afterward, as it might be misaligned and obstruct your rear view. Folding isn’t permanent; it’s only a temporary measure to protect the mirror body. This feature is used less often when driving in rural areas but is essential in dense urban areas. If the mirror doesn’t fold easily, don’t force it—it might be frozen or stuck, so warm up the car or check for obstructions.
