What is the correct method for adjusting car rearview mirrors?

[Nate]

The correct method for adjusting car rearview mirrors is: 1. Adjust the horizon image in the left rearview mirror to the center of the mirror; 2. Adjust the image of the left side of the car to occupy one-fourth of the right side of the mirror; 3. Adjust the horizon image in the right rearview mirror to two-thirds of the mirror's height; 4. Adjust the image of the right side of the car to occupy one-fourth of the left side of the mirror. The function of car rearview mirrors: To reflect the situation behind, beside, and below the car, allowing the driver to indirectly see these positions clearly, expanding the driver's field of vision, and increasing the safety of reversing and driving.

[Kara]

I've been driving for almost ten years, and I believe the key to adjusting rearview mirrors is ensuring maximum visibility and safety. After settling into your seat, first adjust the interior rearview mirror to face the rear window squarely, making sure the entire glass is in view without blind spots. Then for the left side mirror, I lean slightly toward the window, manually or with buttons, until I can see a bit of the car's door handle and the junction point with the road behind. The right side is similar, but adjust the handle slightly higher due to the wider viewing angle. After adjustment, check blind spots—if a car approaches from the side rear, it shouldn't disappear completely, otherwise accidents can happen during turns or lane changes. Many people get the angles wrong, adjusting too far outward or inward, losing partial visibility and causing frequent lane-change mishaps. I check mine weekly, especially before long trips, ensuring the mirrors are clean and stable. In rain or at night, fine-tune to reduce glare. Electronic mirror models adjust with buttons, but manual ones on older cars require more patience. Make it a habit—it saves trouble, don’t wait until a scrape happens to regret it.

[MaximusAnn]

When I first got my driver's license, I spent a lot of time in the training area figuring out how to adjust the rearview mirrors. After sitting in the driver's seat, I adjusted the seat comfortably, then grabbed the knob or button of the interior rearview mirror to align it with the center of the rear windshield, ensuring the window frame was clear and complete. Next, I adjusted the left side mirror—usually by turning the handle—so that the right edge showed just a small part of the car body, with the horizon centered in the middle. The right side mirror was similar, but I leaned slightly forward to fine-tune its position, avoiding too much deviation. A common mistake for beginners is setting the mirrors too narrow or too wide—too narrow and you miss what's happening beside the car, too wide and the glare can cause dizziness. I once nearly collided while changing lanes on the highway because my right mirror wasn’t adjusted properly, hiding a blind spot. My instructor taught me to use my fingers to measure distance: when starting the car and seeing a parallel vehicle beside me, the outline of its wheels should be faintly visible in the side mirror. I make slight manual adjustments after parking daily, and when weather changes significantly affect visibility, I readjust. Not only does this save on insurance costs, but it also keeps me more at ease.

[VonMalia]

I rely on driving for my daily commute, and adjusting the rearview mirrors is simple and practical. After getting in the car, sit upright and adjust to a comfortable position. For the interior mirror, turn the central knob to see the entire rear window. Then, for the exterior left mirror, use the handle or button controls to adjust it so that a small part of the car body and door edge is visible, with the distant horizon aligned at the middle height of the mirror. Repeat the same process for the right mirror, but with a slightly larger tilt angle to cover blind spots on curves. The key point is to test the adjustments afterward—blind spots shouldn’t be too large. For example, in a parking lot, a car beside you shouldn’t completely disappear from view. Sometimes, I carelessly forget to readjust, and after driving on rough roads, the mirrors shift, making it hard to see vehicles behind in emergencies—which is quite scary. Make it a habit to glance at the mirrors before starting the car. In city traffic jams, proper mirror adjustments make lane changes easier, especially with many electric vehicles around, as they move quickly and are easy to overlook. It only takes a few minutes—safety comes first.

[VanIsaac]

Adjusting rearview mirrors seems simple but involves crucial details. I always start by settling into the driver's seat and adjusting the seating position first, keeping my body still, then moving the interior rearview mirror to center the rear window view. The side mirrors require different approaches: the left mirror should angle slightly outward to show a sliver of your car's body and the distant road horizon; the right mirror needs a wider angle due to larger blind spots, minimizing unseen areas. The principle lies in rationally dividing mirror space to avoid overlapping views or missing critical zones. If mirrors are angled too inward, they'll duplicate the interior mirror's view, wasting perspective; too outward risks losing side information. Properly adjusted mirrors make reversing or turning easier and safer by keeping all rear movements in sight. Electronic versions offer one-touch adjustment, while manual ones need regular screw checks. On rainy days when glare intensifies, slightly lower the mirror height to reduce brightness. These minor techniques take little time but prevent potential hazards.