What are the mirrors on both sides of the car called?
2 Answers
The mirrors on both sides of the car are called side mirrors, also known as wing mirrors. Since there is also an interior rearview mirror, a more accurate term for them is exterior rearview mirrors. Whether it's parking, reversing, changing lanes, or other maneuvers, side mirrors play a crucial role in ensuring driving safety. Therefore, proper adjustment of the side mirrors is essential. The adjustment buttons for electric side mirrors are located on the driver's left-side door, while some models may have them on the left side of the steering wheel. "L" stands for the left-side mirror, and "R" stands for the right-side mirror. To adjust a specific side mirror, press the corresponding button and then use the adjacent circular button to adjust the mirror's angle.
The mirrors on both sides of the car are commonly called side mirrors, with the left one being the driver's side and the right one the passenger's side. Having driven for over a decade, I used to neglect adjusting them when I first started driving. Once, while changing lanes on the highway, a blind spot nearly caused a collision—a big lesson learned. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to adjust the side mirror angles before every drive to ensure they cover the rear side. Manual adjustments require getting out and turning a knob, typical of older cars; newer models mostly have electric controls—just press a button, and some even come with heating to prevent fogging in the rain. More expensive versions can fold or include blind-spot warnings. I’ve realized these small features are crucial for driving safety, acting like an extra pair of eyes. It’s important to avoid damaging the brackets, as simple maintenance can prevent major accidents if overlooked.
