How to Use the Rearview Mirror to See the Rear of the Car?
3 Answers
When the right rearview mirror overlaps with the curb behind, the distance between the rear of the car and the curb is approximately 1 meter. The angle of the mirror adjustment may vary depending on the height of the vehicle model. Below is an introduction to the rearview mirror: 1. Composition of the Rearview Mirror: The interior of the car is usually equipped with an anti-glare rearview mirror, which consists of a special mirror, two photodiodes, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller receives signals from the photodiodes for front and rear light. 2. Function: Generally, a car has three rearview mirrors. Drivers look into the rearview mirrors almost a hundred times a day. With the help of the car's rearview mirrors, drivers can expand their field of vision, indirectly seeing the rear, side, and bottom of the car. Therefore, the rearview mirrors play a crucial role for drivers.
When reversing to check the rear of the car, as a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I rely solely on the rearview mirror for positioning. I always adjust the mirror angle first to cover the entire rear area—not too high or low, otherwise blind spots increase. I've tried both flat and convex mirrors; convex mirrors offer a wider view but distort distances, so I've learned to gauge position by observing the reflection of the rear license plate. Before each reverse, I check for obstacles like poles or pedestrians, then move slowly—objects shrinking in the mirror indicate proximity. Safety first: combining mirror use with turning to check the actual scene is more reliable. Nowadays, backup cameras make it much easier, but mastering mirror-only reversing takes practice. This little trick saves a lot of hassle when parking, and once it becomes a habit, mistakes are rare.
I just got my driver's license, and seeing the rear of the car while reversing is a challenge. Driving school taught me to first sit upright in position and adjust the rearview mirror so that the edge of the car's rear is clearly visible in the mirror. My habit is to lower the mirror a bit to cover the area near the license plate, making it easier to see objects or parking lines on the ground. In actual operation, when objects in the mirror slowly approach, it means they are about to make contact. As a beginner, I often couldn't judge the distance well, so I would reverse slowly to observe the changes and only got accurate with practice. Sometimes, if the blind spot is too large, I get out to take a look to avoid scratches. Remember not to rely solely on the mirrors—occasionally turning your head to confirm gives more peace of mind.
