what are the mirrors in cars called

[DelThomas]

The mirrors in a car are primarily called the rearview mirror (mounted inside the windshield) and the side-view mirrors or side mirrors (mounted on the doors). These are the essential three that every driver uses constantly. There are also other types, like the dimmer/auto-dimming rearview mirror that reduces headlight glare, and blind-spot mirrors, which are small convex additions to the main side mirrors.

The interior mirror's official name is the rearview mirror. Its sole job is to give you a clear, wide-angle view of the traffic directly behind your car. Modern versions often feature an auto-dimming function, which uses electrochromic technology to automatically darken when it detects bright lights from behind, preventing glare and improving night-driving comfort.

The exterior mirrors are correctly termed side-view mirrors. They are critical for monitoring traffic to the sides and rear of your vehicle. By U.S. regulation, the passenger-side mirror is convex (curved outward), which provides a wider field of view but makes objects appear smaller and farther away than they actually are. The driver's-side mirror is typically flat to give a more accurate distance perception.

Mirror Type	Primary Function	Key Feature	Common Adjustments
Rearview Mirror	View traffic directly behind the vehicle	Flat glass, manual or auto-dimming	Manual tilt (day/night anti-glare)
Driver's Side-View Mirror	Monitor left-side traffic and blind spot	Mostly flat glass for accurate distance	Power/manual adjustment for angle
Passenger's Side-View Mirror	Monitor right-side traffic and blind spot	Convex glass for wider field of view	Often includes "objects in mirror are closer..." warning
Blind-Spot Mirror	Eliminate the driver's blind spot	Small, convex, adhesive attachment	Fixed angle, placed on corner of side-view mirror
Auto-Dimming Mirror	Reduce headlight glare from trailing vehicles	Electrochromic gel that darkens automatically	Automatic, often integrated with compass/temperature display

Properly adjusting all three main mirrors is a key safety step. They should be set to minimize overlap with the rearview mirror, effectively extending your field of vision and helping to eliminate blind spots.

[SanLayla]

Most folks just call them the rearview mirror (the one inside) and the side mirrors. That's all you really need to know. The rearview lets you see what's directly behind you, and the side mirrors cover your flanks. I always make sure my kids haven't thrown toys in the back seat by checking the rearview before I back out of the driveway. It’s second nature.

[BrandonDella]

From a safety standpoint, they are vision-critical components. The interior mirror is the rearview mirror. The exterior mirrors are designated as side-view mirrors. The passenger-side mirror is convex, which is why it carries the warning "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear." Correct adjustment of these mirrors is fundamental to minimizing blind spots and preventing lane-change collisions. They are your first line of defense.

[DiMary]

You've got your main three. The one inside is the rearview mirror. The ones on the doors are your side mirrors. The trick is setting them up right—you shouldn’t see the side of your own car in them if they’re adjusted properly. That gives you a much better view of your blind spots. Some cars now have little extra convex mirrors stuck on the main ones to help even more with that.

[GrahamMarie]

Beyond the basic rearview and side-view mirrors, there are some cool tech versions. My new car has an auto-dimming rearview mirror that stops headlights from blinding me at night. The side mirrors even fold in automatically when I lock the car. The most advanced one is the digital rearview mirror, which is actually a screen showing a video feed from a rear camera, so the view isn’t blocked by headrests or passengers. It takes a second to get used to, but it’s brilliant.