How to Adjust Rearview Mirrors for Normal Driving?
3 Answers
The steps for adjusting rearview mirrors are as follows: 1. After getting into the car, first adjust the seat to a comfortable position, then proceed to adjust the rearview mirrors. 2. Adjust the interior rearview mirror. The main purpose of the interior rearview mirror is to observe the situation of vehicles behind. It should be adjusted to an angle where we can see the maximum range behind us. Adjust the four corners of the interior rearview mirror so that the four corners of the rear windshield are visible—this angle provides the widest field of view. 3. Adjust the two exterior rearview mirrors. First, adjust the tilt angle of the mirrors so that the car body occupies one-fourth of the mirror. Then, adjust the elevation angle of the mirrors. For the left rearview mirror, adjust it so that the sky and ground each occupy half of the mirror, with the centerline aligned with the mirror's central line. Due to the driver's position, the right rearview mirror should be adjusted so that the sky occupies two-thirds of the mirror and the ground occupies one-third.
I've been driving for over a decade, and adjusting rearview mirrors requires considerable attention to detail. The left mirror is most crucial: sit firmly in the driver's seat, lean slightly toward the left window, and adjust the mirror until about a quarter of your car's body is visible, with the horizon centered in the upper half of the mirror. The right mirror requires a different approach—show less of your car's body, approximately a quarter to a fifth, with the horizon slightly above the center. This significantly reduces the blind spot on the right when changing lanes. The interior center rearview mirror should fully cover the rear window, providing a complete view directly behind. After adjustment, remember to slightly turn your head at intersections to check blind spots—relying solely on mirrors isn't enough. Many cars now come with blind spot monitoring systems, but properly adjusted rearview mirrors remain fundamental for safety.
Right after getting my driver's license, my instructor emphasized that adjusting the mirrors should always come after setting the seat properly! If your seating posture isn't correct, no matter how you adjust the mirrors, it's all in vain. For the left mirror, just include a bit of the car's side edge, roughly occupying a quarter of the mirror's width, with the main focus on viewing the road conditions behind. The right mirror needs a wider perspective—the less of the car body visible, the better—otherwise, you might miss seeing electric bikes approaching from the right rear. The center rearview mirror is straightforward; adjust it horizontally until the entire rear window is clearly visible. And don't be lazy by using it as a makeup mirror—in an emergency, not being able to see clearly behind you can cause trouble. Remember, the safest habit is to always glance over your shoulder when turning or changing lanes.
