How to Adjust Rearview Mirrors Manually?

[DeEleanor]

Left and right positions should be adjusted so that the left edge of the mirror just cuts off the right ear of your reflection in the mirror. For up and down positions, place the distant horizon in the center, while left and right positions should be adjusted so that the car body occupies about 1/4 of the mirror's surface. Since the driver's seat is on the left, when adjusting the up and down positions of the right rearview mirror, the ground area should be larger, occupying about 2/3 of the mirror's surface.

[Jose]

After getting into the driver's seat, don't rush to start the engine. First, adjust the seat to the most comfortable position—neither too reclined nor too upright. This is crucial because changing the seat position means you'll need to readjust the mirrors. Use your left hand to reach the mirror adjustment button on the left side of the steering wheel. Some cars have button-style controls, while others feature a knob with L/R markings. Make sure the car is parked on level ground before adjusting to avoid incorrect angles. For the left mirror, I usually position the horizon at the top one-third of the mirror, with the car body occupying about one-quarter of the mirror's width. This setup allows a clear view of both approaching vehicles and the roadside. When adjusting the right mirror, pay extra attention—place the horizon in the middle and keep the car body at around one-quarter, as the right side has a larger blind spot. After adjustments, turn your head to check the actual effect, ensuring you can easily see the rear wheels of adjacent lane vehicles.

[VanElliana]

To adjust the rearview mirrors properly, the key is to eliminate blind spots. Sit upright and press the adjustment button on the door, then slowly rotate it until you can see the edge of your car body, leaving about a finger-width gap. At this point, looking at the left and right rearview mirrors should cover about 80% of the adjacent lane. If you're driving an SUV or MPV with a higher body, the rearview mirror angle needs to be slightly tilted downward; otherwise, you might only see the sky. I've seen people adjust their mirrors to completely exclude their own car body—while this provides a wider field of view, it makes lane changes particularly dangerous. Once, while helping a friend adjust his mirrors, I noticed that his car's rearview mirror heating button was right next to the adjustment button, making it easy to accidentally press in winter. Manual adjustment is actually quite simple—just remember three main points: maintain a normal driving posture while adjusting, ensure the car body occupies no more than a quarter of the mirror's view, and always check the actual movement of vehicles behind you after adjustment.

[McAubrey]

Adjusting the interior rearview mirror is simpler—just hold the frame and push it upward to change the angle. The standard position allows you to see the entire rear window through the mirror, with no missing corners at the top, bottom, left, or right. Pay special attention to the manual switch for the anti-glare function at night; just flip the small tab downward to activate it. The adjustment buttons for the left and right exterior mirrors are typically located on the driver’s door panel, marked with L/R. First, select the left side, observe the position of the rear vehicle, and move the adjustment knob until the rear car appears slightly off-center toward the outer edge of the mirror. Adjust the right side similarly, but since the right side has a larger blind spot, it’s recommended to keep the car body occupying only about 1/5 of the mirror surface. Regularly cleaning the mirror surface is also crucial, as oil film buildup can make it nearly impossible to see clearly in rainy conditions.