How to Determine Rear End Deviation from the Left Rearview Mirror

[RubyRose]

Observe the space between the rear of the car and the marker pole in the left rearview mirror. The side with less space indicates the direction the car body is deviating towards, and you should move towards the opposite side. Steer in the direction you need to move, adjusting according to the car's movement. There's no need to memorize the number of steering wheel turns.

[SanJulian]

I've been driving for twenty years, and my experience in judging the deviation of the car's rear is to carefully observe the left rearview mirror. Every time I park or adjust my position, I look at the road markings in the mirror, such as the roadside line or parking lot lines. If the lines in the mirror are parallel to the car body, the car is straight; if the lines tilt to the left, it means the car's rear is deviating to the right; if the lines are close to the edge of the mirror, the car's rear is deviating to the left. This is often used when turning in narrow alleys to prevent scratches. I make it a habit to ensure the rearview mirror is properly positioned and adjusted before driving to get an accurate view. If the mirror is dirty, clean it promptly to avoid misjudgment. With a few more practices, you can easily judge the movement of the car's rear and reduce accidents.

[StRylee]

Safety is my top concern, so I always use the left rearview mirror to monitor the rear position of the car. When looking in the mirror, pay attention to the relative changes of fixed objects in the reflection, such as streetlight poles or curbs. If the objects gradually move closer to the edge of the mirror, it indicates the rear of the car is drifting toward the object, and immediate deceleration and correction are needed. On highways or in crowded urban roads, this can help avoid rear-end collisions or skidding. Beginners often overlook this point, so I recommend practicing in open areas first to develop a sense of distance. The mirror's field of view should cover the widest possible angle, and I regularly check and adjust the mirror knob. The key is to avoid sharp turns and stay calm while observing to ensure safety.

[DelHaven]

When I first started learning to drive, checking the left side mirror was simple: sit in position and observe the scene in the mirror. If the road edge line in the mirror appears closer to the car body than usual, it means the rear of the car is veering to the left; if the line moves away, it's veering to the right. This can be compared using everyday objects without technical terms. Now, I use this method for short trips as it's easy to operate. Keeping the mirror clean is crucial—don't let it get blurry. Practice more during parking at the initial stage, as practice makes perfect, effectively helping to avoid minor accidents.

[DeOwen]

The step-by-step method for judging the rear-end deviation is practical: first, adjust the seat and rearview mirror positions to ensure a clear view of the rear scenery. Then, focus on a reference point in the left rearview mirror, such as the edge of the sidewalk. If the point moves to the left, it indicates the rear is deviating to the right; if it moves to the right, the rear is deviating to the left. Based on this, lightly turn the steering wheel to correct during turning or parking. In practice, I recommend using parking lot lines for positioning practice, combined with the interior rearview mirror for auxiliary confirmation. Developing a habitual check makes driving more precise and safe.