Are your mirrors set properly? Check this!
 

This movie demonstrates some tips on mirror settings you may not be aware of. If you're not you will appreciate this. Track guys all know this already (or should)

Areyourcarmirrorsadjustedcorrectly~Lorr~3-03-2010.wmv (paste and open with your browser)


Moderator... Can this be kept at top of list so everyone sees it? It is a really valuable tip... I've never posted anything like this before. Hope the copy/paste gets it done. Please advise.
Donny

Link didn't work.

Fixed it
 

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Thank you for posting that snbush76
This is something everyone should know... We learn about it at the track but many don't know how to do this. For our little, low to the ground cars this information can save lives!

Great Video! Thanks for posting.

About 5 years ago I had to take a DoD Driving class and they spent some time on this topic. I thought it was silly but after trying it, I cannot drive without these proper adjustments.

I will also point out that when you first start using this method, you will not feel right as you will not see the side of your car anymore. Get used to it.

Two new inventions that have saved my azz many times:

1) Turning your head.

2) Blind spot mirrors.

http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/imag...o_220797_7.jpg

Cool.. let me try that.. after 32 years.. funny I even took off those grandpa blindspot mirrors PO had on.

I have them on my work trucks, not on the 911...no side windows to see out of on a work van. Regardless of mirror adjustment, there is no safer way to change lanes than by looking over your shoulder(s).

Nice -- simple, easy to follow directions.

But assumes the primary/only purpose of side mirrors is to see what's in L/R blind spots without turning or otherwise moving your head.

I keep mine adjusted less "wide" because:

a) I either turn to look over my shoulder or move my head to one side to see what's in my blind spot(s) when changing lanes; and

b) I don't rely on just the interior rear view mirror to see what's behind me -- I use all three to scan trailing cars, on-ramps, and frontage roads for highway patrol. Especially the two-wheeled variety, which are hard to spot.

Cool. Thanks for posting.

You guys, if you adjust the mirrors as stated and use all three mirrors you will have 95% + coverage of all areas around your car to track your surroundings.

Try it for two weeks and see if it is not really better.

they mention this on Car Talk also. my SC has a flat (not wide angle/convex) pass side mirror. every other car I've owned had a convex pass mirror. I had to swap it with a convex one (ebay, $15 and just sticks on) because it would freak me out when I'd look and see what appeared to be a car bearing down inches from my bumper ...when in fact they were like 2-3 car lengths back. On my M3 I bought an OEM convex driver side mirror (convex mirrors came standard on both sides in Germany at the time). they make adjusting to limit blind spots easier.

I subscribe to the first-a rule of italian driving.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1294785183.jpg

Good post. This is the same technique as was shown in the driver training class I took awhile back to get some points off my license (and save a bit on my car insurance). It is unfortunate how many drivers have their side mirrors adjusted too far inward.

However, there is also a technological solution. (Of course German engineers are to thank.)

M-B active blind spot assist:
Mercedes-Benz USA

I saw this in action when driving next to a new S-class in highway traffic and I thought it both great idea and hilarious.

It has the look of something the Feds may eventually mandate.

BTW, I've put the blind spot convex mirrors on most of my cars, and visibility is one reason why I've kept the flag mirrors on my '87 911 instead of downsizing to smaller and more aerodynamic ones.

um.... Shoulder check.

I've been doing this for several years(heard it on car talk:)). I drive a commercial rig so I am used to checking my mirrors every 10-15 second.

I was just reading a study that concluded that whether or not someone shoulder checked made no difference in accident rates. ie: In the general population there are other factors that are more important...like being a dunce.

Those r worth the money but you have it in the wrong place. The best place is the edge of the OEM mirror thats closer to the inside of the cabin. This allows you to still use the remainder of your OEM mirror to its full potential. Putting it on the side its currently on, has diminished the length of usable OEM mirror.

Not my mirror....

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

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.

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?

Not true.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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 :D )

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.

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.

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 !!

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

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.

This method is the best!
 

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.

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.

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.

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. SmileWavy

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.

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, :cool:

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.