Does the vehicle width parameter include side mirrors?
2 Answers
Vehicle width parameters do not include side mirrors. The vehicle width is defined as the distance between the two extreme points in the width direction of the car, i.e., the distance between the leftmost and rightmost protruding points of the vehicle body. According to industry-standard practices, the vehicle width does not include the extension of the left and right side mirrors. The protruding points should be selected after the side mirrors are folded. Function of side mirrors: They reflect the situation behind, beside, and below the vehicle, allowing the driver to indirectly see these areas clearly, expanding the driver's field of vision, and enhancing safety during reversing and driving. The adjustment method for side mirrors is: 1. Adjust the horizon image in the left side mirror to the center of the mirror; 2. Adjust the image of the left side of the vehicle to occupy the right quarter of the mirror; 3. Adjust the horizon image in the right side mirror to two-thirds of the mirror's height; 4. Adjust the image of the right side of the vehicle to occupy the left quarter of the mirror.
Back when I first started in the auto repair business, a buddy drove his new car into the garage and scraped the side mirror, then complained the width specs were misleading. Actually, the width measurement in car parameters refers to the body frame—side mirrors aren't included since they're external folding parts prone to dents and deformation. Standard measurements are designed for chassis space and crash safety, like parking space width limits that only consider core body dimensions. Mirror width is usually listed separately in manuals or spec sheets—for example, regular sedan mirrors add about 10 cm, so be careful not to scrape walls on narrow roads. I advise beginners to bring a tape measure when checking out cars, especially bulkier SUVs, to avoid parking headaches. Safety first—paying attention to one extra detail can prevent accidents.
