Side mirror adjustment - how do you...

How do you guys have your side view mirrors adjusted/positioned?

Since i was 15 I've always had my mirrors positioned so I can see the side of my car. Then I heard that's not the "right" way of having the mirrors. Here's a video of it.

https://youtu.be/kkQX2gkwJoE

I tried it, but it was too different. So I went back to my old way. Curious how you all have it adjusted.

 

I like 'em wide. If you can see the side of the vehicle, you will have a blind spot. I set them to eliminate the blind spot.

 

I watched that too a while back and tried to adjust them "the right way" but couldn't stand it because I like to see where my truck is in relation to the highway lines. On vehicles I've owned without BSM I would add the little blind spot mirrors. This truck is a like a fish bowl though so between the BSM and being able to see everything over my shoulder it works out great.

 

Truthfully I've never even thought of there to be another way but what I was used to. But I'm hearing positioning it more outward is more common than I thought. I've always turned my head around to actually check my blindspot. Driving 20 years one way and trying to change it, is difficult.

 

The guy in that video switches to full-caff from half-caff when he is feeling “wild”, and sits down to pee when his wife is home, so he doesn’t challenge dominance.


I Detroit lean like a sir, and if I could point all three of my mirrors towards my hair when I drive, I would.

 

Like a sir lol

 

Side mirrors should not show you the side of the vehicle. They should fill in the blind spot between your peripheral vision and your rear view mirror. That is where the danger is, not directly behind you.

 

I just began using my mirrors that way. Mainly because there is a blind spot and without BSM you have to change the mirrors or lean forward to change the angle. Even adjusted like this and seen in the video, there is a second when the passing vehicle dissapears in the mirror and before you see it in your peripheral vision. But again, before a lane change, a slight forward changes your sight angle enough to cover that spot.

However, when driving large vehicles, maneuvering and backing them into tight spaces, I always set then to see a tiny slice of the truck side and rear tire. Set like this, you will never hit something close to the side while backing. Worked for 34 years. Now I am with you guys on this.

 

I think I learned how to set my mirror many years ago from a trucker. Tilt head until it touches the driver side window. Adjust mirror until the side of the truck is almost out the field of view. Lean over to the passenger side (from the drivers seat) and adjust the mirror the same as the drivers side. Works perfectly and covers the blind spots.

 

What's shown in the video is what I was taught when I was learning to drive in the early 90's. It's the only way I've ever set my mirrors.

 

Maximize field of view. I wanna know what all the bitches around me be doing.

 

This gotta see them twerk behind us

 

I took the mirrors off my Cadillac cause I don't like looking like I look back.

 

I adjust so I can barely see a portion of the door handle, and the tiniest bit of rear fender. In reality you should be shoulder checking if you're changing lanes or turning right either way. The blind spot monitor in my 2014 Civic was awesome though, I used it to safely gauge the distance between me and semi trucks when I was passing at highway speeds. Keeps my eyes closer to the road than a shoulder check.

 

They’re electric and so easy to adjust! Set it out as far as necessary to see the blind spot while driving with cars along side of you, set it out further at night so the headlights of the car behind you are not so blinding, set them down low enough to see what your rear tires are hitting and clearing while off-road, and pull them out further to shave if you want to during your camping trip. That’s the proper way to adjust them!

 

First rule of Italian driving: what’s-a behinda you donna matta’....

 

Driving in traffic is so much easier if you adjust them so you can see the lanes beside you

 

i keep mine pretty wide but have just a little of my vehicle in the mirror for reference. then i can judge distances. no reference point, no confidence.

 

When passing ANY vehicle, I gauge the distance between me and them with the windshield mounted rear view mirror.
I do not change lanes until I can see the entire front of the passed vehicle in my rear view mirror.

That's what I was taught 50+ years ago, and it works great.

The side mirrors stay adjusted to see as much of the blind spot as possible.