What is the appropriate position to adjust the rearview mirror?
3 Answers
Adjust the rearview mirror so that the horizon line is positioned at two-thirds of the mirror's height, and then adjust the edge of the car body to occupy one-fourth of the mirror's image. The rearview mirror is a tool that allows the driver to directly obtain external information about the rear, side, and lower areas of the car while seated in the driver's seat. For the convenience of the driver's operation, to prevent traffic safety accidents, and to ensure personal safety, all countries require that cars must be equipped with rearview mirrors, and all rearview mirrors must be adjustable in direction. For example, the adjustment method for the center rearview mirror is to move it left or right until the left edge of the mirror just cuts off the right ear of your reflection in the mirror. This means that under normal driving conditions, you cannot see yourself in the center rearview mirror. The up and down adjustment involves positioning the distant horizon in the center of the mirror.
As someone who commutes daily, I have a lot to say about adjusting rearview mirrors. For the interior mirror, I prefer to position it so that the entire rear window is visible, giving me a clear view of the road behind. As for the left side mirror, I usually adjust it so that just a small portion of the car body is visible, with most of the mirror showing the left lane and vehicles behind. The right side mirror is similar, but I angle it slightly more outward because of the larger blind spot on that side—especially important in the city where there are many electric scooter riders. Poor adjustment here can lead to accidents. Before driving, I always sit upright and position my head properly before adjusting the mirrors, taking about half a minute to get it right. During traffic jams, this setup helps me avoid rear-end collisions, especially in rainy or dark conditions. Remember to fix the positions and check regularly for any loosening—developing this habit ensures both peace of mind and safety.
As a new driver who just got my license, I'm extra careful when adjusting the rearview mirrors, taking it step by step. First, I sit in the standard position with my head against the headrest. The interior rearview mirror should fully cover the rear window—it's only correct when I can't see my own head. The left side mirror should show about 1/4 of the car body, with the main view focused on traffic from the left rear. The right side mirror follows the same principle but needs a slightly wider angle to reduce blind spots—my instructor repeatedly emphasized this during practice. After adjustment, I always test by turning my head left and right to ensure no dark spots block the view. Early on, I made mistakes that caused panic during lane changes, so now I check mirror positions daily as a precaution. New drivers especially should remember not to rely solely on backup cameras—mirrors are the first line of defense, forming the foundation of safe driving.
