What is the standard for adjusting the left and right rearview mirrors?
4 Answers
Left and right rearview mirror adjustment standards are as follows: Left rearview mirror: Adjust the horizon to the center of the left rearview mirror, with the car body occupying one-quarter of the mirror's surface area. Right rearview mirror: Adjust the horizon to two-thirds of the right rearview mirror's height, with the car body also occupying one-quarter of the mirror's surface area. Because the right rearview mirror is located on the side farther from the driver, the driver's blind spot is larger, and the field of view is narrower. Therefore, the right rearview mirror is adjusted at a greater angle. Generally, the rearview mirror adjustment buttons are located on the left door, such as near the window, the interior door handle, or the door storage compartment. Common rearview mirror adjustment buttons are cylindrical, with the letter "L" indicating the left rearview mirror and the letter "R" indicating the right rearview mirror. After selecting the corresponding rearview mirror, adjust it by moving the button forward, backward, left, or right. Some models have button-style rearview mirror adjustments, where a small square button is used to select the left or right rearview mirror, and a circular button controls the direction adjustment by pressing arrow keys in different directions.
The standard for adjusting the left and right rearview mirrors is quite personal, but my experience is that after sitting upright in the driver's seat, the left mirror should show a small portion of your car's rear door to provide a realistic view while driving. For the right mirror, I prefer to adjust it more outward, with almost no part of the car visible, showing more of the lane to reduce blind spots. I remember one time when I didn’t adjust it properly and almost hit a car behind me in the city—since then, I always adjust the mirrors before driving, ensuring my posture is straight and not twisted. The practical standard suggests dividing the mirror into three parts: one-third showing your car and two-thirds showing the road. However, due to the larger blind spot on the right, you can adjust it to show less of the car and more of the road. This gives more confidence when changing lanes and helps avoid accidents, especially on highways and during nighttime driving—safety first! New drivers should try this, and the effect is noticeable.
As a veteran driver with ten years of experience, I believe the key to adjusting rearview mirrors is eliminating blind spots. For the left mirror, the car body should occupy about one-third of the mirror surface, while for the right side, due to the viewing angle, the car body should take up a quarter or less, leaving more space for the road. This standard is based on minimizing unseen blind spots to the side and rear. I've tested this on both sedans and SUVs – while there are slight variations between different models, the principle remains the same. Sit firmly without leaning forward, first adjust the left mirror to see the edge of the door handle, and try to reveal as much road as possible on the right side. Here's a little trick: have a friend stand behind the car and move around to confirm there are no blind spot areas that can't be seen in the mirrors. Regularly cleaning the mirror lenses is also important, as dust can obstruct visibility. Developing a habit of checking before driving ensures safety.
The standard for adjusting car rearview mirrors I've summarized is: Sit upright in the driver's seat, with the left mirror showing a small portion of your own car's rear, about 1/3 of the mirror surface, while the right side shows even less of the car body, approximately 1/4 or less, leaving the road as the main subject. This design is to cover blind spot areas and avoid accidents during sudden lane changes. In actual operation, I usually complete it quickly: first sit in position, twist the mirror adjustment knob to ensure visibility of rear vehicle movements in the mirror; if no friend is available to help, I get out to check the position and make fine adjustments. Remember that mirror types like convex mirrors affect the range, standards aren't rigid, and what suits you best is safest.
