
The adjustment standards for the three rearview mirrors of a car are as follows: Left rearview mirror installation: Adjust it so that you can see the left rear tire and the ground plane, while also trying to see objects behind the left side of the car as much as possible. Right rearview mirror installation: Adjust it so that you can see the right rear tire and the ground plane, while also trying to see objects behind the right side of the car as much as possible. Rearview mirror installation: Rearview mirrors are divided by installation position into exterior rearview mirrors, lower rearview mirrors, and interior rearview mirrors. By purpose, exterior rearview mirrors reflect the rear side of the car, lower rearview mirrors reflect the front lower part of the car, and interior rearview mirrors reflect the rear of the car and the interior situation.

Having driven for over a decade, I can't stress enough how crucial proper mirror adjustment is. The standard method is to first adjust the interior rearview mirror to ensure a full view of the rear window. For side mirrors: the left one should show a sliver of your car's body, like the wheel edge or door handle, while predominantly displaying road conditions behind you to eliminate blind spots; the right mirror should show no car body at all, providing maximum visibility to prevent collisions when changing lanes. I frequently test this in parking lots – after parking, I sit in the driver's seat and gradually adjust until blind spots disappear (using a friend's car as reference works too). This standard becomes lifesaving during rain or fog when visibility is poor. Make it a habit to check before driving, and combine with blind spot monitoring for extra safety. When it comes to driving, safety comes first – even small details matter.

I always emphasize to my family that adjusting the rearview mirrors directly affects driving safety. The standard practice is to align the interior mirror with the center of the rear window, while the side mirrors have their specifics: the left mirror should show about a quarter of the car's body, just enough to see the edge, whereas the right mirror should completely exclude the car's body, showing only the rear view. Why? This reduces blind spots and prevents misjudgment when changing lanes. Beginners often make mistakes like adjusting the mirrors too close, with too much of the car's body visible, leading to large blind spots and accidents. I teach my kids to slowly adjust their seats while in the driver's position, setting each mirror correctly to ensure they can still glance at blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Make it a habit to spend a minute checking before each trip, and combine this with blind-spot radar. Safe driving starts with the details—don't wait for an accident to regret it.

I adjust my car mirrors in a modern way. The interior mirror is aligned with the center point of the rear window. The left mirror shows a small part of the car body, like a corner of the wheel, but most of the view is of the road behind; the right mirror doesn't show any part of the car body at all, only the scene behind. This minimizes blind spots and makes lane changes safer. I also use my phone to record videos placed in the trunk to test the position, or combine it with the car's built-in camera for calibration. A simple adjustment saves time and effort.


