Does the width of a car include the rearview mirrors?
3 Answers
Car width does not include the rearview mirrors. The width of a car 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 car body. According to industry standards, the width of the car body does not include the extended width of the left and right rearview mirrors, meaning the protruding points should be measured with the mirrors folded. The significance of car width data lies in providing sufficient space when overtaking, preventing accidents due to excessive width or situations where road markings are narrower than the car's width. Additionally, national regulations stipulate that the total width of a vehicle must not exceed 2.5 meters to comply with the usage requirements of public roads.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I've navigated through various narrow roads and crowded parking lots. The width of a car typically doesn't include the side mirrors. Manufacturers measure using the widest point of the car body as the standard reference, treating the mirrors as foldable attachments. However, in actual driving, if you don't pay attention to the extended part of the mirrors, it's easy to cause scratches or accidents. I remember one time I almost hit a pedestrian on the roadside because I overlooked the extra space needed for the mirrors. After buying a car, when measuring the garage or choosing a parking space, the total width including the mirrors should be calculated separately. This common knowledge can help avoid trouble and make city driving safer. I advise beginners to pay attention to the width data on the car's specification sheet, as it often only lists the basic dimensions. In reality, you need to add the width of the mirrors to assess passability.
From a technical perspective, the definition of vehicle width is based on global standards such as ISO regulations, typically referring to the external dimensions of the body frame, excluding side mirrors. This is because mirrors are movable components that can be folded, not affecting the overall body structure. If you check vehicle manuals or manufacturer specifications, width data is usually measured using this standard method to ensure fair comparisons between different models. However, in reality, side mirrors increase the actual width, impacting parking and navigating narrow passages. Having driven various models, I've found the extended mirror sections can sometimes add 10-20cm – overlooking this may cause inconvenience. When purchasing a car, don't rely solely on paper specifications; test parking in tight spaces yourself to understand its significance.
