Does the body width include the rearview mirrors?

[Laila]

Body width does not include rearview mirrors. Body width is defined as: the distance between the two extreme points in the width direction of the vehicle, which is the distance between the leftmost and rightmost protruding points of the body. According to industry-standard rules, body width does not include the extended width of the left and right rearview mirrors, meaning the most protruding points should be selected after the mirrors are folded. For some vehicles, the body serves as both the driver's workspace and the space for carrying passengers and cargo. The body includes components such as windows, doors, the driver's compartment, passenger compartment, engine compartment, and luggage compartment. Body designs can vary and include styles like box-type, fish-type, boat-type, streamlined, and wedge-type, with structural forms categorized into single-compartment, two-compartment, and three-compartment types.

[Caleb]

I also struggled with this issue when I bought a car before. After checking some information, I found that the body width generally doesn't include the side mirrors. The dimensions provided by manufacturers are usually measured with the mirrors folded. When driving daily, remember that the actual width is about 20 centimeters more than the parameter. Once, I drove a friend's new energy vehicle into a narrow garage and ended up scraping it because I didn't account for the mirror width. Especially now that many cars have power-folding mirrors, it's safer to fold them in when passing through narrow width barriers.

[JoyDella]

Last time when I got my car repaired, the mechanic told me that the vehicle width data indeed does not include the side mirrors. The automotive design specifications clearly state that body width refers to the maximum distance between the two side door panels, while the mirrors are considered external attachments. However, in actual usage, you need to be cautious as side mirrors can increase the overall vehicle width by approximately 15-30 cm. When I drive my pickup truck for deliveries, I've noticed how prominently the mirrors protrude, especially when passing through narrow alleys where I often have to fold them in. So when checking specifications, it's important to understand that this differs from real-world driving conditions.

[Shelly]

I remember my driving instructor repeatedly emphasized this issue. When I went through the vehicle inspection at the DMV, I specifically observed the staff's operating procedures. The calipers they used to measure the width only touched the metal parts of the vehicle body, and the side mirrors were completely excluded. However, when driving, I always remind myself that the mirrors are the most prone to scratches. Especially for SUV models, the mirrors are particularly protruding, so extra caution is needed when passing through narrow places like toll booths.

[DiAdeline]

This is a very practical issue. When I first started driving, I suffered a loss because I didn't account for the side mirrors. The vehicle width specifications in the manual typically exclude the mirrors, but actual driving space must include them. European cars generally have larger side mirrors, adding approximately 25 cm to the total width. The safest approach when navigating narrow passages is to visually estimate the clearance for the mirrors, rather than relying solely on the vehicle's body dimension data.

[VanBryce]

As a driver with ten years of experience, I find this issue quite typical. The width in the vehicle dimension specifications indeed excludes the side mirrors, but the practical impact is significant. The width of the side mirrors must be calculated separately, and the difference is quite noticeable across various models. For instance, the side mirrors of large American cars can extend the overall width by over half a meter when unfolded. When driving, especially in narrow roads like those in old residential areas, it's essential to account for the additional space taken up by the extended mirrors. Honestly, manufacturers should more clearly indicate this practical detail in the user manual.