What is the mirror in the middle of a sedan called?
4 Answers
The mirror in the middle of a sedan is called the interior rearview mirror. The method to judge the distance by looking at the interior rearview mirror is: 1. When the engine hood of the rear vehicle can be seen in the interior rearview mirror but the grille cannot be seen, it indicates a distance of about 3 meters from the rear vehicle; 2. When the grille of the rear vehicle can be seen in the interior rearview mirror, it indicates a distance of about 8 meters from the rear vehicle; 3. When the wheels of the rear vehicle can be completely seen in the interior rearview mirror, it indicates a distance of more than 20 meters from the rear vehicle. The adjustment method for the interior rearview mirror is: place the distant horizontal line in the center of the interior rearview mirror, then move it left or right so that the image of the right ear is just at the left edge of the mirror. The function of the interior rearview mirror in a sedan is to reflect the situation behind, beside, and below the car, expanding the driver's field of vision.
Having driven a sedan for so many years, we drivers commonly refer to the middle mirror as the rearview mirror, which is crucial for daily travel safety. I remember once driving home in the rain, the road was slippery, and the rearview mirror was covered in water droplets, making it hard to see clearly. I nearly rear-ended the car behind me and had to pull over to wipe it clean before feeling at ease. Now, I pay special attention to maintaining this mirror. When adjusting it, I sit upright and align it with the center of the rear window to ensure a full view, especially when changing lanes on the highway—it helps me see behind clearly and avoid blind spots. Newer models often come with automatic anti-glare features to reduce the impact of headlights at night, but older manual mirrors require careful height adjustment to prevent shaking. Regularly checking the mirror for stability and damage ensures timely reactions in emergencies to avoid accidents. Before heading out, I make it a habit to glance at the rearview mirror to check if my child is safe in the back seat—a simple action that saves a lot of worry.
As an ordinary user who often drives to pick up and drop off family members, we call the mirror in the middle of the car the rearview mirror. For example, when taking the kids out on weekends and reversing into a parking spot, I always keep an eye on the rearview mirror to ensure there are no toys or obstacles behind to avoid collisions. When I first started driving, I neglected this mirror, but later my instructor reminded me to develop the habit of frequently checking it to reduce the risk of sudden braking. The adjustment method is simple: after settling into the seat, rotate the mirror until you can clearly see the entire range of the rear of the car. In daily use, I noticed that the mirror tends to accumulate dust or fog; wiping it with a tissue can quickly improve clarity. A safety tip: when parking, don’t rush to close the door—first check that the rearview mirror is securely fixed to prevent it from shifting on bumpy roads and affecting visibility. Combining it with the side mirrors when reversing yields better results.
The small mirror in the middle of a sedan is professionally called the interior rearview mirror, but drivers commonly refer to it simply as the rearview mirror. Its core function is to observe the dynamics behind the vehicle to ensure safe driving. When reversing into tight parking spaces, it's essential for judging distances and avoiding obstacles. Modern vehicles often feature smart functions like auto-dimming to prevent glare at night. Maintenance is straightforward: regularly clean smudges from the mirror surface to maintain clarity, avoiding obscured vision from rain or dust that could impair judgment. Before changing lanes while driving, always check the rearview mirror in combination with side mirrors to eliminate blind spot hazards.
