Which rearview mirror should you generally look at when reversing?
2 Answers
Generally, all rearview mirrors should be checked when reversing. Below is an extended introduction: 1. Driver-side rearview mirror: It is a flat mirror, which makes it easier to judge the distance between the car body and obstacles behind, and to determine whether the car is parked "straight" usually relies on this mirror. 2. Passenger-side rearview mirror: It is a convex mirror with a slight curvature. Its main purpose when reversing is to observe whether there are obstacles on the right side of the car body. You can slightly lower its angle during reversing to get a clearer view of the road conditions on the right side. 3. Rearview mirror position: Before reversing into a parking space, it is essential to adjust the position of the rearview mirrors. Whether it's the left or right exterior mirrors or the interior rearview mirror, they should be adjusted so that the horizon is at the midpoint (halfway up and down) in the mirror when the driver is in a normal driving posture. Additionally, the car body should occupy no more than one-fourth of the mirror surface area in both exterior mirrors.
Every time I reverse, I always focus on the outer rearview mirror—usually the right or left one, depending on the direction I'm backing up. For example, when reversing toward the right rear on the roadside, I concentrate on the right mirror, which clearly shows blind spots, obstacles, and distances on the vehicle's side, helping avoid scraping walls or pedestrians. Although the interior rearview mirror provides an overall view of the rear, its wide field of vision makes it hard to judge nearby details. So, I first glance at the interior mirror to check the general environment behind, ensuring no oncoming traffic or unexpected situations, then switch to the outer mirror to control movement. When driving a modern car with a backup camera, I also take a quick look at the screen for assistance, but it can't replace physical mirrors. Developing this step-by-step observation habit has made reversing safer and more efficient, especially in crowded parking lots or nighttime driving. Making good use of mirrors reduces accident risks and boosts confidence in maneuvering the vehicle.
