Driving is fun, but driving with badly adjusted mirrors is like brushing your teeth with the lights off. It might be possible, but it is definitely not smart. Most people just sit down, start the engine, and hope the mirrors are already set in a good position. Spoiler alert: in most cases, they are not.
Meet the Mirrors: Your Roadside Bodyguards
Your car has three mirrors, and they all work together to protect you on the road.
- The Inside Rear View Mirror (IRVM):
This mirror is mounted on your windshield and shows what is happening directly behind you. Think of it as your private movie screen. If you can see your hairstyle instead of the road, you need to adjust it. - The Left Outside Rear View Mirror (ORVM):
This one keeps you safe from bikers, speed lovers, and impatient drivers who suddenly appear from nowhere. - The Right Outside Rear View Mirror (ORVM):
This mirror helps you avoid the classic mistake of changing lanes without noticing that another car is already there.
Together, these mirrors form your anti-blind-spot team.
How to Set Them Like a Pro
The first step is to sit properly in your driving seat. Adjust the seat so that you feel comfortable and in control. Do not slouch like you are watching a Netflix series.
Next, adjust the inside rear view mirror. Point it so that you can see the entire rear window. If half of the view is your car ceiling, you need to fix it.
Now move to the outside mirrors. The inside edge of your car should just peek into the mirror. This gives you a clear anchor point. Tilt the mirror outward until you see more of the road and less of your car. If you see mostly your own car in the mirror, you are wasting valuable space.
Mirror Reading 101: What That Car Really Means
Once your mirrors are set, you also need to know how to read them.
If a car in your mirror looks small, it is still far away and safe. If the car is getting bigger, it means danger is approaching and you should stay alert. If a car completely fills the mirror, do not even think about changing lanes, because the vehicle is already next to you. And if you cannot see a car in the mirror but you feel that something is there, always double-check your blind spot.
Why Mirror Adjustment Actually Matters
Properly adjusted mirrors make driving much easier and much safer. You will twist your neck less often, which means you will not look like a confused owl every time you want to change lanes. Lane changes will feel smoother and less stressful, because you will be more confident about what is happening around you. Best of all, you will avoid those scary moments when a car suddenly appears out of nowhere.
Adjusting your mirrors takes less than two minutes. That is shorter than the time it takes to choose the perfect playlist. Yet, those two minutes can save you from accidents, angry honks, and a lot of stress.
So next time you get into your car, do not only adjust your seat and your music. Give your mirrors some attention as well. Your future self, your passengers, and even the drivers around you will thank you.
