How to Adjust Rearview Mirrors to Find the Accurate Position?
3 Answers
To adjust the rearview mirrors to the accurate position, follow these steps: 1. Left rearview mirror: The driver should use the horizon as a reference. Adjust the vertical angle so that the sky and ground each occupy half of the mirror. Then adjust the horizontal angle so that the car body occupies about 1/4 of the mirror surface. Note that the adjustment should be based on the driver's normal seating position, and you should not lean closer to observe the mirror while adjusting. 2. Right rearview mirror: Since the right rearview mirror is farthest from the driver's position, reduce the space occupied by the sky and allocate more mirror space to the side of the car body. Therefore, the sky should occupy only 1/4 of the right rearview mirror, and the car body should also occupy 1/4.
As a veteran driver with nearly twenty years of experience, I believe adjusting the rearview mirrors requires proper technique. First, sit in the driver's seat and adjust the seat to a comfortable position before moving the mirrors. For the left rearview mirror: position it so that the car body occupies one-fourth of the inner side, with the horizon centered in the mirror. Pay special attention to the right rearview mirror, as the blind spot on the right side is larger—ideally, only a small portion of the car body should be visible, leaving most of the space for observing approaching vehicles from behind. The interior center rearview mirror should be adjusted to provide a full view of the entire rear window. Remember to check the mirrors every time you get in the car, and it’s best to practice in an open area. After adjusting, have a friend walk behind the car to confirm the blind spot size. At night, you can verify the position by observing the headlights of vehicles behind you. In rainy weather, remember to activate the rearview mirror heating function to maintain clarity. I’ve found that regularly checking the rearview mirrors can reduce side-swipe accidents by over 30%.
Last time when accompanying my novice cousin for driving practice, I specifically studied rearview mirror adjustment techniques. The most crucial point is to maintain a normal driving posture while adjusting: lean back against the seat with your head naturally resting on the headrest. Adjust the left mirror to just see the corner of your own car's rear - this provides optimal coverage for both your vehicle and traffic behind when changing lanes. The right mirror should be angled slightly lower. I often see people showing too much of their own car body, which actually obstructs the view. Don't aim the center mirror at backseat passengers - it should fully frame the rear window. Many modern cars have blind spot monitoring systems now, but these shouldn't be completely relied upon - proper mirror adjustment remains fundamental. After adjustment, I recommend testing by observing how smoothly following vehicles transition from the center mirror to side mirrors while driving straight. When washing your car on weekends, take a moment to clean the mirrors - it'll significantly improve visibility.
