What is the method for adjusting car rearview mirrors?
3 Answers
Here are the methods to adjust rearview mirrors to their optimal positions: 1. Left rearview mirror adjustment: Place the horizontal line at the midline of the mirror, then adjust the edge of the car body to occupy 1/4 of the mirror's image for the best view. 2. Right rearview mirror adjustment: Since the driver's seat is on the left side, it is more difficult for the driver to grasp the situation on the right side of the car. Therefore, when adjusting the vertical position of the right rearview mirror, the ground area should be larger, occupying about 2/3 of the mirror's range. The horizontal position should also be adjusted so that the car body occupies 1/4 of the mirror's range for the best view. 3. Central rearview mirror adjustment: Adjust the left edge of the mirror so that you can just see your right ear. For the vertical position, place the distant horizon in the center of the mirror, then adjust the horizontal position so that the image of your right ear is just at the left edge of the mirror for the best view.
As a veteran driver with fifteen years of experience, I believe adjusting rearview mirrors isn't something to do randomly—it requires some technique. First, sit in the driver's seat, find the most comfortable position, and stay still to maintain stability. Lower the interior rearview mirror slightly to get a full view of the entire rear window, ensuring you don't block too much and can clearly see vehicles behind you. For the left-side mirror, adjust it so only a small portion of your car is visible—about one-quarter—with the horizon ideally centered to minimize blind spots. The right-side mirror is similar, but due to its convex design, angle it slightly outward to avoid missing parts of the rear. Before long drives, I always take time to check, especially on highways—proper adjustment helps prevent dangerous lane changes. Also, remember to readjust periodically, as vibrations or maintenance might shift them. Making it a habit ensures safer and smoother driving.
I'm a new driver who just graduated from driving school, and the instructor repeatedly emphasized the importance of adjusting the rearview mirrors to avoid issues when reversing or changing lanes. During training, we first adjusted the interior rearview mirror: align it with the rear window to ensure the view fully covers the back glass without gaps. For the left mirror, the car body should occupy just a small portion—for example, the door handle should just be visible, with the horizon aligned to the middle. The right mirror is adjusted similarly but needs to be angled more outward to avoid blocking too much of the car's rear. The instructor taught us to use reference points—park in a parking lot and test the adjustment until road signs and the full view of vehicles behind are visible in both side mirrors. Initially, I set the angles wrong, resulting in large blind spots, and nearly scraped the car during parallel parking. With more practice, I got the hang of it. New drivers are advised to double-check the mirrors before each drive, especially on rainy days when the mirrors might be blurry and affect safety.
