What Position Should Rearview Mirrors Be Adjusted To?
3 Answers
Rearview mirrors should be adjusted to the following positions: 1. For the center rearview mirror, adjust the horizon reflection to the center of the mirror and the reflection of the right ear to the left edge of the mirror; 2. For the left side mirror, adjust the horizon reflection to the center of the mirror and the reflection of the left side of the vehicle to occupy one-quarter of the right side of the mirror; 3. For the right side mirror, adjust the horizon reflection to two-thirds of the mirror's height and the reflection of the right side of the vehicle to occupy one-quarter of the left side of the mirror. The function of car rearview mirrors is to reflect the conditions behind, beside, and below the vehicle, thereby expanding the driver's field of vision.
I've experimented while driving before, and properly adjusting the rearview mirrors can indeed reduce blind spots. After sitting upright, the center rearview mirror should fully cover the rear windshield, with the sky and ground each occupying half, ensuring all following vehicles are visible. When adjusting the left side mirror, I leave about a quarter of the car body visible, with the horizon positioned in the middle of the mirror, which helps in clearly seeing the adjacent lane when changing lanes. For the right side mirror, due to its tricky angle, I prefer to set the horizon higher, at about the upper third of the mirror, also leaving a quarter of the car body visible, and adding a small convex mirror to assist in viewing the curb when parking. Remember to adjust your seat first before setting the mirrors; don’t hunch over, or your view will be off once you're on the road. It might take a few tries to find the perfect position for you, especially when driving at night—clear visibility is crucial.
When I first started driving, I had no idea how to adjust the rearview mirrors. My instructor taught me to first adjust my seating position before moving the mirrors. The center rearview mirror should frame the entire rear window—don’t just aim it at the back of your head. The left mirror should focus on vehicles behind you, with no more than a quarter of the mirror showing your own car, and the horizon should sit in the middle. The right mirror needs to be angled slightly downward to help spot the curb when reversing, and during lane changes, pay attention to the position of headlights in the mirror to gauge distance. Sometimes, passengers in the backseat can obstruct the view, so remember to readjust after parking. On rainy or foggy days, wipe the mirrors clean before adjusting the angle, as water droplets can distort visibility. Now, I’ve made it a habit to spend half a minute checking all three mirrors before driving—they’re far more reliable than turning your head to look.
