How to Adjust Car Mirrors Accurately?
3 Answers
Place the horizontal line at the center of the rearview mirror, then adjust the edge of the car body to occupy one-quarter of the mirror's image. Place the horizontal line at two-thirds of the rearview mirror's height, then adjust the edge of the car body to occupy one-quarter of the mirror's image. Adjust the left-right position so that the left edge of the mirror just shows the driver's right ear in the reflection.
Properly adjusting your car mirrors is a crucial safety habit, and I must emphasize the importance of posture first: After getting in the car, adjust your seat position so your back is straight and your hands comfortably grip the steering wheel. Then, adjust the interior rearview mirror—position it to show the entire rear windshield without any gaps. For the side mirrors, I recommend keeping only about a quarter of the car's body visible in the mirror, tilting them outward more to reduce blind spots. This helps you see vehicles behind you when changing lanes or reversing, avoiding collisions. Regularly check your mirrors while driving, as bumps or car washes can shift them. I've used this method for over a decade, and it’s made driving much safer in both city traffic and on highways—especially when combined with checking blind spots by turning your head. Don’t skip this step; taking a minute to adjust your mirrors can save lives.
As a beginner driver, I was quite troubled by adjusting the car mirrors. Now I've figured out a simple trick: always set the seat first when getting in the car, sit firmly, and then adjust the mirrors. Adjust the inner mirror to see the full view of the rear window, and don't set the outer mirrors to show only the car body; tilt them slightly outward to widen the field of view. At first, I often adjusted them incorrectly, leading to blind spots, but now I'm used to seeing a bit of the road edge or other vehicles at the mirror edges, making driving much smoother. I learned from riding with experienced drivers that properly adjusted mirrors improve accuracy in reversing or lane changes, and gaining experience during the beginner phase is crucial. Maintain a routine check habit and don’t neglect cleaning mirror stains for safer and more reliable driving.
