How to Use Car Rearview Mirrors?
2 Answers
Here are the methods for using car rearview mirrors: 1. Observe the rear road conditions: When driving in China, you often need to change lanes left or right based on road conditions. Before changing lanes, signal in advance, then observe the situation of vehicles behind through the interior rearview mirror to ensure safety before changing lanes. 2. Check the rearview mirror during emergency braking: When there is an urgent situation ahead requiring sudden braking, observing the central rearview mirror can inform you if there is a vehicle following too closely behind. This allows you to adjust the braking intensity appropriately based on the distance ahead to avoid rear-end collisions. 3. Judge the distance to the vehicle behind: The central rearview mirror can help determine the distance to the vehicle behind. When you can just see the front wheels of the vehicle behind in the central rearview mirror, the distance is about 13 meters. When you see the front grille, the distance is about 6 meters. When the front grille is just out of sight, the distance is approximately 4 meters.
I've been driving for many years and believe that using rearview mirrors requires attention to detail. After getting in the car, first adjust to a comfortable driving position, then adjust the interior rearview mirror to ensure a clear view of the entire rear window. The left side mirror should be adjusted lower, with only a small portion of the car body visible, focusing more on the road and nearby vehicles. The right side mirror should be adjusted similarly, paying attention to blind spots near the curb. When reversing, don't panic—move slowly while checking all three mirrors (interior, left, and right), and occasionally turn your head to quickly confirm there are no people or obstacles behind you. If there are pedestrians or cyclists on the road, their reflections in the mirrors can help you avoid risks in advance. I also make it a habit to regularly clean the mirrors with a soft cloth to keep them clear and unobstructed, which helps improve visibility in rainy or foggy conditions. Driving in the city requires extra caution, as crowded streets often present sudden hazards—using mirrors effectively can save you a lot of trouble.