How to Adjust Vehicle Rearview Mirrors Properly?
2 Answers
Adjusting car rearview mirrors involves the following steps: 1. For the center rearview mirror, adjust the horizon line reflection to the center of the mirror, and position the reflection of your right ear to the left edge of the mirror. 2. For the left side mirror, adjust the horizon line reflection to the center of the mirror, and position the reflection of your car's left side to occupy one-fourth of the mirror's right side. 3. For the right side mirror, adjust the horizon line reflection to two-thirds of the mirror's height, and position the reflection of your car's right side to occupy one-fourth of the mirror's left side. The function of car rearview mirrors is to reflect conditions behind, beside, and below the vehicle, thereby expanding the driver's field of vision.
When driving, I always make sure the rearview mirrors are properly adjusted for the best visibility. First, adjust the interior rearview mirror. While sitting in the normal driving position, adjust the mirror to see the entire rear window—not too high or too low—to ensure a clear view of the road behind and avoid rear-end collision risks. The side mirrors are adjusted differently for left and right. The left mirror should show a bit of the car's side but mainly the road behind, while the right mirror needs a wider angle due to the driver's left-side seating position and larger blind spots. I often fine-tune them after parking to ensure the entire rear vehicle is visible from start to finish, and before driving, I quickly glance to confirm no major blind spots remain. In rainy, foggy, or low-light conditions, I double-check the angles to eliminate blind zones—safety comes first. If unsure, I pull over to a safe spot to readjust rather than risk an accident. After decades of driving, I know these small details truly matter.
