Should the Rearview Mirror Show the Rear Tires?
2 Answers
The rearview mirror should not show the rear tires. The functions of the rearview mirror are: 1. Observing objects behind and passengers in the rear seats; 2. Judging the distance from the vehicle behind. The adjustment methods for the rearview mirror are: 1. Adjust the horizon reflection in the central rearview mirror to the center of the mirror, and the reflection of the right ear to the left edge of the mirror; 2. Adjust the horizon reflection in the rearview mirror to the center of the mirror, and the reflection of the left side of the vehicle to occupy one-fourth of the right side of the mirror; 3. Adjust the horizon reflection in the rearview mirror to two-thirds of the mirror's height, and the reflection of the right side of the vehicle to occupy one-fourth of the left side of the mirror.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have witnessed numerous accidents caused by improperly adjusted rearview mirrors. The side mirrors shouldn't show the rear tires, as this actually increases blind spots. Modern driving recommendations suggest adjusting side mirrors to cover the road beside the vehicle – when sitting upright, you should just barely see a sliver of your car's body in the mirror's edge, rather than deliberately trying to see the tires. This setup helps reduce blind spots when changing lanes, preventing sideswipes or rear-end collisions. Remember to use the interior rearview mirror in conjunction, as it provides visibility through the rear window. Many new cars now come with blind spot monitoring systems, which, when combined with properly adjusted mirrors, can significantly enhance safety. In short, develop the habit of regularly checking your mirror positions, and don't adjust them too far inward just for parking convenience – accidents often stem from small oversights.
