What to Do When You Can't See the Side Mirrors Due to Rain on the Windows?
3 Answers
The solutions for not being able to see the side mirrors due to rain on the windows are: 1. Open the side windows slightly to allow air convection inside the car, which helps disperse the water vapor and clear the fog; 2. Turn on the rearview mirror heating function, which can improve visibility to some extent by drying the water vapor on the mirrors, resulting in a clearer view. Car rearview mirrors are located on both sides of the front of the car and inside the car, serving as important safety components. They reflect the conditions behind, beside, and below the car, acting as the 'second pair of eyes' for the driver, expanding the driver's field of vision.
As a seasoned driver with decades of experience, it's quite common to have obscured side mirrors during rain. I always slow down to a safe speed first to avoid accidents caused by poor visibility of rear vehicles. Turning on the wipers and adjusting them to fast mode quickly clears rainwater from the windows. I also check if the rearview mirror heating function is activated—many modern cars come with this feature to rapidly evaporate water droplets. If the problem persists, I find a safe spot to pull over and use a dry cloth or tissue to wipe the mirrors and window edges, avoiding doing this in the rain. Regularly washing the car and cleaning the windows, along with installing rain deflectors to aid drainage, are small habits that make rainy-day driving much safer, reducing at least half the hassle and risks.
As a parent of two children, heavy rain and blurred windows are extremely worrying. What I value most is driving safety. Immediately turn on the wipers and increase the speed to keep the windshield clear, and reduce the speed to below 40 km/h to prevent sudden situations. Make sure the rearview mirror heating switch is turned on. If the car doesn't have this function, use a window defogging spray, which will take effect in a few seconds after spraying. If you need to pull over temporarily for cleaning, remember to turn on the hazard warning lights. For prevention, I use car glass cleaner to maintain the windows every month, and you can also install rain repellent film or replace aging wiper blades. In short, don’t panic when driving in the rain. Safety comes first, especially when picking up and dropping off children. With a little patience, everything can be handled.
