Hey guys

I came across this article from Click and Clack (NPR fans will know who I am talking about) about adjusting your side view mirrors to eliminate you blind spots. I tried it and it works great, though it took about a week to get use to, but now I can keep my eyes forward as I dart between SUV's. Here's the link for an illustrated explanation: http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Arch...vember/07.html

Motor on

A nonillustrated explanation from their radio show:

TOM: We've discovered that it's possible to set your three mirrors (rearview and both side views) so that they eliminate almost any possible blind spots.

RAY: For years, we'd been setting our side-view mirrors so they gave us a view of the back corner of our cars. This is the way it's been passed down from grandfather to father to us. But we finally discovered something very interesting. The back corner of the car never moves. It always stays in the same exact place. So there's really no reason to keep an eye on it.

TOM: And by moving the side mirrors farther out, you can line up all three of your mirrors so they have minimal overlap -- and you can see everything behind you and beside you.

RAY: Here's how to do it. Start by setting your rearview mirror as you normally would.

Step 1: Start by setting your rear view mirror as you normally would.
Then, lean your head all the way to the left so it touches the driver's window. From that position, set your left side-view mirror so you can see the back corner of your car. Now lean the same distance the other way, and set your right side-view mirror the same way. Now, here's what happens.

TOM: When a car comes up behind you, you should first see it in your rearview mirror. But as it passes you (let's say on your left), you'll see it move to the left side of your rearview mirror. And as its left headlight disappears from your rearview mirror, it should instantly show up in your left side-view mirror. There should be no delay. It should slip from one to the other, so you can always see it.

Step 2 -- Left Side Mirror Alignment: Set your left side mirror so that as soon as the passing car's left, front headlight disappears from your rearview mirror, it appears in your left, side mirror.

TOM: After you make the initial rough settings, you might need to make some slight adjustments to your side-view mirrors to make everything line up perfectly. And pulling up next to a line of parked cars (to simulate another lane of traffic next to you) is a good way to do that.

Step 3 -- Right Side Mirror Alignment: Then do the same thing on the right.

RAY: Driving with the mirrors this way takes some getting used to. You have to learn to rely on your rearview mirror first. And you'll have to get used to what your side-view mirrors are now looking at.

 

I've been putting my mirrors sorta like that for several years and love the way they work out. I try to teach the wife that and freaks out when she can't see the back corner of the car. Just remember that you have alot more visibility when you adjust like that, especially for zipping in and out of traffic.

 

DWrath
I have been adjusting my side view mirrors this way for more years than I can remember. Was in a car magazine I read years ago. Tried over the years to get friends to do this but, not much luck. Most people want to see the side of the car in their mirrors. Great info and thanks for the post, sure many people will find it very useful. :smile:
Charles

 

I have always set my mirrors like this-I also turn my head and look before making a lane change You never know when they will come out of nowhere

 

>>I have always set my mirrors like this-I also turn my head and look before making a lane change :smile:








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'03 MC PS/B PP.CWP 16" RF's traded 10/11/03 for ->
'04 MCS DS/B PP,SP,CWP, HK

 

I discovered this a few years ago when I started adding a passenger side rear view mirror's to my cars before they came as standard equipment on some I have used the stick on convex round mirrors located inboard on the side view's. It's also a good idea to look first before moving over as some guy almost creamed me blowing by at well over a hundred he was doing some serious weaving, three to four lanes at a time. Best advice I have is drive like your invisible.

 

I adjusted to this mirror style a few months back when I first heard this on Car Talk...I think it's nothing short of genius! I don't understand why I was taught the idiotic "just barely be able to see your rear corner in the side view" method (that apparently Tom and Ray were taught also)! A few weeks after learning the new mirror method, I went to a driving school, and guess what their first lesson was--setting your mirrors up the Click and Clack way!

Thanks for posting, DWrath!

 

I've been doing this for about a decade..... and have been telling all my friends to set their mirrors this way. I used to pick up my church friends to go to church on Sundays. Some of them were always late. One day I was double parked waiting for a guy, while keeping my eye out on cars speeding by me. I got bored and started playing with mirror positions. I realized I could pretty much eliminate by blind spot by moving the mirrors outward as described here.

If you want to try it, I would recommend parking on the side of a busy street, and adjust your mirrors so that you can eliminate your blind spot.

 

The one advantage of having the rear of the car partially in view in the mirrors is that it confirms that the mirrors are properly adjusted. If you use Click and Clack's method without some form of verification each time you drive, it might not be apparent if the mirrors have moved slightly (eg, if they got tweaked when you washed your car). You might be in for an exciting lane change!

I guess if you use C & C's method, you can make a habit of swaying your head from side to side to check the mirrors each time you start off. So what if passengers and onlookers think you're weird!

 

I feel some mild form of elightenment from this mod. There is a certain zenness from having the car that is passing you move from the center mirror to the side mirror with every have to move your head. Why am I just now learning this?

bc

 

I feel some mild form of elightenment from this mod. There is a certain zenness from having the car that is passing you move from the center mirror to the side mirror with every have to move your head. Why am I just now learning this?

bc

 

That's exactly what I do each time before I take off! The only problem is when you lean your head to the right, if your passenger's head is there, s/he might think that you're trying to go WWF on 'em!

 

Good tip, something I have been doing for quite some time now...

I've also made it a habit of looking over my shoulder, something I picked up on my motorcycle where mirrors are attached to the handlebars which move. All it takes is a quick glance and then you are sure it's all clear.

 

I've set the mirrors in my cars like this for years... Drives JerseyGirl nuts... It wasn't something anyone taught me, but I sort of figured it out on my own. Actually, I vaguely recall my PA Learner's Handbook showing the mirrors to be set this way. My general opinion is I don't care what's behind me - I care about what's next to me

 

that is cool...

 

They taught this to me in a BMW driving course I attended a few months back. At first I was skeptical, but hot damn, it really does work. Whenever I get in my parents' cars I do the same adjustment, but they never seem to appreciate it.

Then again, they can't even hold the wheel correctly, soooo.....

-CW

 

I have also been doing this forever. Was told by my Uncle who drove an old Triumph TR7. He had no blind spots but drove like a nut and always liked seeing who was coming up behind him. It does take some getting use to as stated in the article but once you get use to it you'll love it.

 

Secrets out. Been doing this too for years but could never convince my wife the logic. Everytime I get into her car, it freaks me out that all I can see is the side of the car....what good is that?

Thanks, now I have ammo. All printed for her consumption

 

I installed an old Wink 5-panel mirror and it completely eliminates blind spots from one vantage point.I don't know if they're still made,but they work very well-