How do you adjust your side view mirror?

[n1accord]

There seems to be 2 basic schools of thought on adjusting the side view mirrors:
1. The side of your car should barely be visible in each mirror.
2. The side of your car should be visible only if you rest your head against the left window or move your head to the centerline of the car.

While my state's driver handbook endorses #1, most websites concerned with driver education favor #2. Having tried both, I feel that #2 does a better job of eliminating blindspots and allows me to use the mirrors with greater confidence and less looking over my shoulder.

The little stick on convex mirrors are also good, if that's your choice, but this poll excludes these smaller mirrors.

So, how do you adjust your side view mirror?

[marOne]

I have a hybrid approach:

1. Left mirror adjusted, visible only if you rest your head against the left window
2. Right mirror adjusted to barely be visible in right mirror

[BenjiBoy650]

I use method 1 because it helps me judge if I have enough room to merge into a lane in tight situations.

[OwAce]

method 1 since i use the corner of my car as a reference point. but damn our 7th gens and their large blind spots.

:furious:

[04EXNavi]

I use method 2 pretty much exclusively. More like marone's 'hybrid' approach.

[dragoncoach]

I use the hybrid method. I adjust them so the cover the blindspot. On the right, it's adjusted so if the car on the right is about to disappear when approaching, I can see him in the right mirror. I don't need to see the side of the car, I know where it is. Basically, I adjust the driver's mirror the same. On the Accord, it's not that much of an issue. On our Pilot, it's imperative the mirrors cover the blind spots or you'll hit someone when you change lanes.

[jintegra]

Used method 1 in the past, but have since moved to method 2 as it allows you to see the cars in your blind spots. I also have a clipped on rear convex mirror, but I still "head" check my blind spots (occasionally I may skip my right side check if I need to do a fast lane change).

[geni01]

I use method # 2 & I have one of this on my driver side w/c helps a lot.
http://www.properautocare.com/autobahnmirror.html

[snakehair]

I use the hybrid method also. Driver's side adjusted to catch the guy in the next lane. Passenger side to use the rear corner as a guide to when I am past someone. Find that I can use the inside mirror to track a passing vehicle all the way until the outside rear takes over. Can only do so using the head on the window method. I do not need to see my side rear corner for any purpose.

[princess]

I guess I'm another "hybrid-er".... I don't actually put my head on the window, but the only way I can see my own car is if I try. I will change it if I'm in a higher traffic area.... for lane changing with that 7th gen blind spot... I will also aim that puppy down to see the lines sometimes instead of needing to repark it in scrunchie spaces & there's nowhere out in the boonies to park!

I'll probably be the first one to wear it out!!! :lmao:

[n1accord]

I guess I'm another "hybrid-er".... I don't actually put my head on the window, but the only way I can see my own car is if I try. I will change it if I'm in a higher traffic area.... for lane changing with that 7th gen blind spot... I will also aim that puppy down to see the lines sometimes instead of needing to repark it in scrunchie spaces & there's nowhere out in the boonies to park!

I'll probably be the first one to wear it out!!! :lmao:
Whatever did you do before motorized mirrors ??? :lmao:

[princess]

Ummm, let's see.... I had power mirrors in my '77 Olds, but better visability as far as the blind spots, '82 Accord was manual, I think.... but virtually no blind spots. I never had to adjust the Passenger side... where he had it worked for me. It did "remote" but not power. The '86 Accord had power mirrors. The '02 Accord had power mirrors.... the '03 Pilot has power mirrors... :dunno: I barely remember not having them.... there's only one parking lot I really use it at... it's at the Doctor. It's one of those really squishy straight on types. I hate it! Most people have to repark..... so I just use my mirrors & look like I know what I'm doing!! :naughty: Little do they know...... :nuts:

This car is just hard to park! You got no front corner visabilty from my view! I do fine unless I have another adult with me, then I THINK about it & mess up! If I go with the flow, I do just fine. At least I can laugh at myself..... too.

[SSMV6]

I had my mirrors set way too wide for the longest time... I didn't realize it until I had lean next to my window to see the side of my car! :blah: Now I set it so I can barely see the handles of the car if I lean 2 inches in either direction.

Sometimes I have to repark even if I back in! The turning radius of the car is so wide! The car is so wide, too! Still takes me a little while to get it right. I'm so used to cars with a tight turning radius.

[dads-car]

I always need to see the side of the car!

I can see where I am in the lane by comparing distances between car and lane

And I often move the mirror down to the wheel to see where I am reversing into.

The mirrors need to reflect the car for me!