How do you adjust your side mirrors?

[Chryso]

When I was young I would have my mirrors set to look straight back along the side of the car. Then I learned that they really aren't meant for that. So now I angle them out so that I don't have a blind spot. It was kind of weird to get used to but now I can't stand to not have them that way.

Can't get the poll to show up.
Is it firefox thing?

 

[xospec1alk]

i have it set the "incorrect" way. i set it up angled out once, and i coudln't get used to it...so i set them back...

 

[Descartes]

I set them angled out, because I don't need to see my car in my mirrors; I'm concerned about the other cars, not mine. I have literally zero blind spots and feel absolutely confident in making lane changes without having to turn my head. IMO, doing the head turn is far more dangerous than looking into my mirrors, especially in heavy traffic.

 

[BMdoobieW]

I have them set so you only see a sliver of the side of the car.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: BMdoobieW
I have them set so you only see a sliver of the side of the car.

Same here, I use them for parking. The angled out is better for driving, but you end up with blind spots while backing into/out of tight spaces.

 

[j00fek]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: BMdoobieW
I have them set so you only see a sliver of the side of the car.

Same here, I use them for parking. The angled out is better for driving, but you end up with blind spots while backing into/out of tight spaces.

:thumbsup:

 

[eelw]

POLL?????

Anyhow, angled out.

 

[clamum]

I have a portion of the car in view so I can judge distances to other objects when in tight spaces (parking most often).

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: BMdoobieW
I have them set so you only see a sliver of the side of the car.

Same here, I use them for parking. The angled out is better for driving, but you end up with blind spots while backing into/out of tight spaces.

If you need the mirrors for parking because you can't feel where your car is, you really shouldn't be driving... If you've got a full-size pickup or van that's one thing, but any car and any "truck" the size of an Explorer or smaller shouldn't need a spotter's mirror.

I keep mine angled out. Zero blind spots. My grandfather was a trucker and he taught me how to set my mirrors properly.

ZV

 

[FoBoT]

i was taught the 'turn head to look' method in drivers ed, i don't see how i could break that habit after 25 years of driving

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
If you need the mirrors for parking because you can't feel where your car is, you really shouldn't be driving... If you've got a full-size pickup or van that's one thing, but any car and any "truck" the size of an Explorer or smaller shouldn't need a spotter's mirror.

I keep mine angled out. Zero blind spots. My grandfather was a trucker and he taught me how to set my mirrors properly.

ZV

I have a Dodge Dakota. And by tight, I mean the kind of spot that is less than 12" wider than the vehicle, and often has a narrow aisle to get into. To "feel" where my car is involves hitting something. I usually back into spots, it's safer that way. I don't need a "spotters" mirror, but I can usually park within 2" of a curb w/o touching it.

 

[Chryso]

With all the replies about parking, you would think that people spend more time parking than they do driving.

 

[Kalvin00]

I rarely use my side mirrors....right one is just somewhere down the right side, same with left...I use my rearview much more to keep track of other cars around me

 

[Dubb]

they way I learned how to do it was:

lean towards the side of the mirror you're adjusting. adjust so that you can just see the side of the car.

best of both worlds - no blind spots, and you can park by leaning a little.

 

[notfred]

I break mine off the car, since I don't parallel park very often and apparently that's whet everyone seems to think they're for.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
If you need the mirrors for parking because you can't feel where your car is, you really shouldn't be driving... If you've got a full-size pickup or van that's one thing, but any car and any "truck" the size of an Explorer or smaller shouldn't need a spotter's mirror.

I keep mine angled out. Zero blind spots. My grandfather was a trucker and he taught me how to set my mirrors properly.

ZV

What are you, a fricking Jedi?

 

[gilligans]

Kids, you use the rear view mirror to see behind you and your side mirrors to check for cars on the side of you. Alway check by turning your head because there still may be blind spots.

 

[mugs]

Angled out. Angling them so you can see your car makes them all but useless.

 

[Indolent]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i was taught the 'turn head to look' method in drivers ed, i don't see how i could break that habit after 25 years of driving

I just recently angled my mirrors out. I honestly never thought of it until someone mentioned it. I'm suprized they don't teach that in drivers ed.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: BMdoobieW
I have them set so you only see a sliver of the side of the car.

Same here, I use them for parking. The angled out is better for driving, but you end up with blind spots while backing into/out of tight spaces.

If you need the mirrors for parking because you can't feel where your car is, you really shouldn't be driving... If you've got a full-size pickup or van that's one thing, but any car and any "truck" the size of an Explorer or smaller shouldn't need a spotter's mirror.

I keep mine angled out. Zero blind spots. My grandfather was a trucker and he taught me how to set my mirrors properly.

ZV

Uh... actually it's a very smart move to use your side mirrors for parking if you're concerned about getting curb rash on expensive aftermarket wheels.

 

[Yossarian]

Someone wrote about a nice technique for setting mirrors the last time this topic came up. Lean your head until you're over the driver side door, then angle the left mirror until you can see the side of your car. Then lean your head in front of the center of the windshield and adjust the right mirror until you can see the side of your car. Voila, no blind spots. I've been using that for a while now and it works great once you get used to it.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: BMdoobieW
I have them set so you only see a sliver of the side of the car.

Same here. I see barely a glimpse. Normally I have it set just off the sideof the car so I have to move my head to the side a bit to actually see my car.