How To: Adjust Your Mirrors to Avoid Blind Spots

[Rovert]

In lieu of seeing another post I thought I would share this once again...

Source:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...id-blind-spots

For the past few years, various carmakers have been offering blind-spot detection systems for their cars’ side mirrors. Often complex, these systems employ cameras or radar to scan the adjoining lanes for vehicles that may have disappeared from view.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published a paper in 1995 suggesting how outside mirrors could be adjusted to eliminate blind spots. The paper advocates adjusting the mirrors so far outward that the viewing angle of the side mirrors just overlaps that of the cabin’s rearview mirror. This can be disorienting for drivers used to seeing the flanks of their own car in the side mirrors. But when correctly positioned, the mirrors negate a car’s blind spots. This obviates the need to glance over your shoulder to safely change lanes as well as the need for an expensive blind-spot warning system.

The only problem is getting used to the SAE-recommended mirror positions. The cabin’s rearview mirror is used to keep an eye on what is coming up from behind, while the outside mirrors reflect the area outside the view of the inside rearview mirror.

Those who have switched to the SAE’s approach swear by it, however, some drivers can’t adjust to not using the outside mirrors to see directly behind the car and miss being able to see their own car in the side mirrors. To them we say, “Have fun filling out those accident reports.”



I've used this practice since my awesome professional driving instructors and friends have taught me at an early age of driving. Not only have I had less instances of trying to occupy the same space and time as the car next to me, it has helped in making split second decisions on which way to panic swerve to safety. Without that split second saved compared to shoulder checking, that would have made the difference in a lot of damage to the car I was driving and the occupants, or no physical drama at all. Safe driving folks!

[Washburn]

Interesting, and thanks!
But what I am wondering is, if i can't see a bit of my car's flanks on the left SVM, how can I have a reference point as to how close the other car I see in the mirror? I have to play with these settings and see what it's like.

[Rovert]

That's what all of the people I teach have asked me. When learning to drive it's OK because you can reference. But I get them to transition slowly. So they don't have to go all the way within 1 day. Just go week by week and push the mirrors out further. Being able to tell if the car is 5 feet from you vs 10 feet will be understood as you get used to the new mirror position. With the mirrors showing the side of your car you are overlapping rearview mirror info that's a waste of time and space. Besides when has the side of your car come out and hit you? You want to see objects in the mirror. You're either going to see background blurring by or a metal object with the right mirror position.

[Oli77]

I had read about this and it made sense. I have done that ever since.
Thanks for the refresher.

[kayger12]

Figured this out on my own early in my driving career after a close call.

It works well, but the euro-mirrors are still a superior option, imo.

[danewilson77]

Figured this out on my own early in my driving career after a close call.

It works well, but the euro-mirrors are still a superior option, imo.

I specialize in Superior.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[iZHP]

Been using this technique for a while as well. It definitely helps in the Jeep.

[kayger12]

I specialize in Superior.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

Damn right you do!

[derbo]

Figured this out on my own early in my driving career after a close call.

It works well, but the euro-mirrors are still a superior option, imo.

I'm ordering my mirrors soon.

[danewilson77]

I'm ordering my mirrors soon.

Schweet.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT