Are your mirrors set properly? Check this!

[rluciano]

Am I the only one who thinks that this method is absolutely ridiculous? Unless you place your head on the driver's door glass before moving left and lean half way across the car before moving right all you are doing is creating a different blind spot than most idiots. I make the same adjustment to my mirrors but without moving my head. Even turning your head takes much more time than simply moving your eyes. In an emergency, if your mirrors are set like mine are, you can check all three in less time than a leaner can check one. This is what BMW taught me at a driving school at the 'ring in 1994.

[5String43]

With respect, I think this video's premise is flawed. It seems to be based on setting your car's mirrors so that you can use 'em to see into the blind spots. Here in California, at least, I seem to recall that the law requires a driver to actually turn his/her head to the side to check those blind spots. My impression is that a CHP officer can bust you if you make a lane change without doing that. Besides, it's certainly the way I learned, and the way I feel most comfortable. But who knows?

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by 5String43

Here in California, at least, I seem to recall that the law requires a driver to actually turn his/her head to the side to check those blind spots.

Not true.

[m110]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

Oh, cool...good to know. Now I don't have to look over my shoulder anymore...thanks.

Just a thought that challenges long held dogma. I am a skeptic, I shoulder check pretty much always, but talented drivers in cars with only mirrors (big rigs, LMP cars, etc) seem to be able to change lanes safely....
I am not saying not to do it...just that maybe for the average driver it doesn't make much difference because other factors (inattention, inability to consider other vehicles, braindeath, ets) are bigger factors.

[CurtEgerer]

I've been doing this for years as well. But I don't really like the adjustment method used in the video. I adjust/fine-tune mine (frequently) on the road to make sure I've got my blind-spots 100% covered. Just drive in the center lane in light traffic and wait for cars to come into your blind spots and adjust accordingly. Once you have confidence in the adjustment, there is no need to ever take your eyes off the road by doing a 'shoulder check' or whatever they call that convoluted move.

[kiwiokie]

Originally Posted by rluciano

Am I the only one who thinks that this method is absolutely ridiculous? Unless you place your head on the driver's door glass before moving left and lean half way across the car before moving right all you are doing is creating a different blind spot than most idiots.

I understood the leaning over is simply to adjust the mirrors so that when you are centered on the seat the mirror will show you the blind spot. You don't lean over while driving. The rest of the field of vision is covered in the rear vision mirror hence there are no blind spots created.

[midnight911]

i always wondered why driver side mirror was flat with large blind spot. the place i'm from has convex mirrors both on driver and passenger sides where they have wider perspectives. On my BMW E30, since the mirror lens are universal, i put convex lens on the driver side as well, improving the perspective. looking over the shoulder I think is a good idea but one time I rear ended by doing that...ha ha...

[RSBob]

At high performance driving school they taught the same basic set up with one additional thing. When you are intially doing your set up adjustment, you should be able to track the vehicle overtaking you (yeah right) by watching them move seemlessly from your rear view to your side view and then out of your side view into your peripheral vision (without turning your head). This goes for both sides. Now you should never have a car out of your vision. (Disclosure statement YMMV - this method is not fool proof - especially if you foreget to check your mirrors )

[schumicat]

in the US, federal regulations require the driver side mirror on passenger vehicles to be flat. the passenger side can be (and virtually always is in US cars - my SC is the only exception in cars I've driven) convex. that is why they are like that from the factory.

Originally Posted by midnight911

i always wondered why driver side mirror was flat with large blind spot. the place i'm from has convex mirrors both on driver and passenger sides where they have wider perspectives. On my BMW E30, since the mirror lens are universal, i put convex lens on the driver side as well, improving the perspective. looking over the shoulder I think is a good idea but one time I rear ended by doing that...ha ha...

[5String43]

Not true? Well, whatever. I think this method is highly questionable. I keep the mirrors on my car adjusted so that I can see just a sliver of the rear slab, plus what's behind me, plus whatever shows of what's in my car's hip pocket. I spend a whole lot less time changing lanes than I do staying on one lane, keeping track of who, and what, is behind me and around me, using all three mirrors the way that seems best for me. As always, your results may vary.

[Wil Ferch]

Blind spot mirrors are an abomination......if you want to "fix" what these things are supposed to do for you.....try this....also posted on public safety threads.

For adjusting your mirrors to mimic what the tiny blind spot mirrors do, adjust your normal mirrors this way ( of course while sitting in your car in the driveway, not actually driving).

This applies to Left-hand drive cars....not for Britain and Japan.

- left mirror. Put your head right up against the side window glass and adjust as you normally would, to see a sight line down the flank of your car. Only difference is that your head is positioned on the side glass when doing this.

- right mirror. Do the same thing but place your head as if you were sitting in the perfect center of the car, instead of your driving seat.

- center/inside mirror. Adjust normally, sitting in your normal driving position.

Result?.....the two outside mirrors are now adjusted to give a wider angle of view....and you will ALWAYS have a car "in-view" behind you without a blind spot. Cars behind you can make lane changes and you can see the car's image move over from one mirror to another, without interruption.

A side-benefit is that for night driving, you get less glare from the car along your left flank and slightly behind...as the mirror is swung out more for a wide-angle view.

I *hate* those small bullet-type blind spot mirrors....how do you gauge "how far back" the car is?, besides simply telling you "there is a car there...somewhere?". Arggh !!!......

EDIT....Ooops...it seems this is identical to the film clip I couldn't load the first time....sorry....but it works, been doing it for years with great results !!

[HawgRyder]

After riding motorcycles for more than 40 years, I still look over my shoulder every time.
On a bike, if you don't turn and look, you are committing suicide.
Bob

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Wil Ferch

besides simply telling you "there is a car there...somewhere?".

That's exactly what they're for. Then you turn your head and look to "judge" how far back the car is. Anyone who relies solely on their mirrors (blindspot or not) while driving is not a responsible driver.

[Jesse16]

Been doing this for years and its right, period. ( it does not make sense to drivers who don't trust change or advice IMHO.) My family included. Thats OK, I do alot more driving and trust the method. When all is correct with the 3 mirrors, a vehicle in the your inside rear view thats passing you on the left will transition from rear to left side mirror and then from that mirror to an area to your left thats easily seen by looking left. That doesn't happen otherwise and you better be turning your head alot to see who's coming! Again, try it in your car, adjust as needed and see the difference. A different problem is that the mirrors on my cars don't have enough outward motion in their mechanism. My drivers side is adjusted to the max out position.

[Wil Ferch]

I'm not saying you don't turn your head anymore....I'm just saying it's a better set-up than those goofy small button mirrors that do nothing more than tell you a car is back there "somewhere". You don't know how far back depending upon the size and shape of the button mirror. If it forces you to turn your head all the way....why have it? If the oncoming car ends up being FAR back....who cares and what does this do?

This alternate setup has a 1X magnification and you know exactly how far back the car is...so it's not irrresponsible of and by itself, as it gives you accurate feedback. It doesn't mean you should un-learn good habits. It's simply better than the button-mirrors.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Wil Ferch

If it forces you to turn your head all the way....why have it?

Because you are supposed to turn your head all the way before changing lanes. Mirrors are secondary.

1) Signal.
2) Look in mirror.
3) Turn head, check blindspot.
4) Complete lane change.

[nesslar]

Tell me this: What if you are on a six (or more) lane highway and someone jumps over TWO lanes just to pass you? You won't see that moron coming without checking more than your mirror. Gots to turn and look.. This business of adjusting mirrors this way will get people in trouble eventually.
"I learned this from experts!" ...well then, "Why is the entire left side of your now totalled Porsche all $^%$^% up?" ......................
The more precautions you can take, the better; and if you rearend someone, you aren't driving very well in the first place......sorry.

[ben parrish]

Been adjusting like this for years.....taught by SCCA in 1986.
It is the CORRECT way regardless of what many here "think".
It does not negate the need for making sure some idiot has not done what Nesslar just described. I still also look quickly over my shoulder.

[nesslar]

Perfectly stated I think. A quick look can only help, as echoed by many. I have nearly pulled over into someone many times, always "caught myself", so always try to remember to look, only takes practially zero time; I am blessed with pretty darn good peripheral visoin, which doesn't hurt. I just think it's best to incorporate whatever you can into normal driving routine (not necessarily a race track scenario) that can keep your car in the garage, or better yet on the road, not sitting in the insurance company's junkyard. Best to all,

[m110]

Originally Posted by nesslar

A quick look can only help, as echoed by many.

Some would say taking your eyes off the vehicle ahead of you at highway speeds, even for a second, leaves you open to less reaction time....ie the "you travel X feet in 0.2 seconds at 80mph or whatever" combined with close following and the need to re-attain the car ahead of you in terms of depth perception.
I still shoulder check and in fact caught myself today on the way home but it is not without cost. I used to watch my 90 year old grandma shoulder check and it took about 2 seconds for her head to get all the way around and back. She made a mean apple pie though.