You can observe what is happening around your car using the mirrors on your car. They are the most important visual aids you can have in your car to drive safely. The purpose of their function is to let you know what is going on behind you, along with what is going on in front of you, which is equally important. When driving, you need to use your car mirrors, and you should respond to what you safely see in them.
Importance of Mirrors in a Car
It is safe to say that driving would be significantly more dangerous without rear and side view mirrors. Just think about what it would be like to drive in traffic where you would not only have to stick your head out the window to switch lanes, but you would also need to turn completely around in your seat to see the traffic directly behind you as well.
As a result of car accidents, loosened mirrors caused by installation errors, or, in the case of exterior mirrors, pitting caused by road hazards, the rearview mirrors of most cars are commonly damaged or destroyed.
Types of Mirrors on a Car
There are a few different types of mirrors you can choose from when you need to replace your car’s mirror, and knowing the differences will save you time and money when you do.
Side View Mirror
The convex lens of these reflectors can reduce the size of the objects, which are mounted on both the car’s front doors. These convex mirrors possess the property of being able to display a large area by making the size of objects smaller. It assists by providing the side and far behind view of the vehicle. From the driver’s seat, a person can see the objects peripherally around them.
It is difficult to distinguish the actual size and distance of objects around you because the nearest ones appear smaller. Due to this specific reason, it is always mentioned that Objects in the mirror appear closer than they are for safety reasons.
Rear View Mirror
Rear view mirrors are usually flat glass mirrors that show a true image of what is behind you. Mirrors like these don’t distort images, making speed and distance measurements easier. The rear view mirrors of automobiles in the modern era are heavily influenced by technology. In the back view mirrors of your car, you will find some of the most fantastic designs you can ever imagine, as well as a wide selection of wonderful choices to make your choices from.
There is an anti dazzle lever on the majority of car mirrors. As a result, it prevents you from being blinded by the glare of the vehicle’s headlights behind you while driving at night.
Front View Mirror
As well as reflecting images of what is around your car, your front-view mirror also reflects images of the surroundings. You use it along with your rear view mirror, and you should use it before you start your car. During the first few weeks of driving, you should only use them sparingly, as the interior and side mirrors perform the role they are designed for.
Headlight Mirror
During nights or in extreme weather conditions such as foggy or rainy days, this concave mirror is widely used to cover the headlights of a vehicle. Having the ability to divert light, it allows the driver to see as much as possible of the area in front of him due to its property of light divergence.
Driving Mirror
There is a mirror attached to both sides of the driver’s seat that is found inside the car over the driver’s seat. It is located on both surfaces of the driver’s seat. So, by doing so, it is possible to recognize what is nearby the car in order to be able to keep an eye on it by keeping an eye on it. It is through the use of such devices that the driver is able to estimate the distance between the car in front of his or hers and the one in front of him.
How to Use Car Mirrors While Driving?
Adjust your car speed
Whenever you plan to accelerate the speed of your vehicle, it is a good idea to check the side mirrors before you make the decision to accelerate, since another vehicle may try to overtake you. The same is true for slowing down the car & it is always a good idea to observe the speed of the vehicle behind the car from the rearview mirror as you slow down. It would be very unfortunate if, as a result of this small negligence, the vehicle behind your car would not have the time to react.
Signal Checking
Most often, confusion occurs as a result of drivers failing to check their mirrors for the approaching vehicle before signaling or an accident occurs when this happens. As a result, it is equally important to check the side mirrors in the event that you intend to make a turn and make a decision accordingly.
Driving on Highway
Even though highways tend to have long straight stretches of road, the use of mirrors is not any less crucial. When joining the highway as well as when changing lanes, you must use both your interior and exterior mirrors. You should also be aware of high speeds on highways, which are often marked by the national speed limit, which means you should constantly check your mirrors.
Driving with Trailer
As you are pulling the trailer, you should always keep an eye on your mirror. In this case, it is crucial to check the rear view mirror and both side view mirrors of the vehicle to avoid the trailer’s wheel hitting another vehicle’s wheel, which can be very dangerous.
Proper Checking Before Driving
Before driving off, an appropriate and safe observation is essential to run the car in a safe and controlled manner. Aside from this, the accuracy of the vehicle saves it from suffering any major damage or bending even a little. Therefore, it is very important to always check the view in the right door mirror before moving, followed by the rear reflector before moving forward.
The car can be driven away if everything is clear. After that, you must look for any blind spot area in the right mirror.
Poor Weather
It is important to use mirrors more carefully when driving in poor weather conditions. It is recommended that drivers in snowy or icy weather clear their mirrors and defrost their windows before setting off. The driver must check their mirrors before entering fog and slow down once in it before decelerating.
Safe Distance between another vehicle
While driving, it is usually recommended by safety experts that you check your side mirrors. When you are driving a car, you should pay attention to the distance between your vehicle and the other vehicles on the road.
Therefore, it is important for those who wish to enjoy a safe and enjoyable time while they are driving to maintain a proper distance by using mirrors.
Two Wheel Vehicles
Two Wheel Vehicles like Motorcyclists and cyclists also need to be observed on the road as they are sometimes difficult to spot in slow-moving or stationary traffic, especially when it is sunlight or when there is no traffic. Be sure to keep checking your mirrors and blind spots every time you drive.
Furthermore, you should make sure that you keep checking your door mirror when you are overtaking a cyclist in order to ensure that you do not hit them or cut them off too closely as you overtake. The convex mirror on your door will make it appear as if they are closer than they actually are as they are convex.
Four Wheel Vehicles
It is imperative that you keep a close eye on both your interior and exterior mirrors when you are passing a four wheel vehicle. Give the driver of a four wheel drive vehicle the time and space he or she may need to maneuver in case they cannot see you in their mirrors, so be aware that they may not be able to see you either.
Car Doors Opening
Taking a moment to check the side and rear view mirrors may seem unnecessary in a congested area, but it is important. It will not only prevent the vehicle from any possible damages, but will also stop any person from entering the vehicle or on foot from being struck by any damaging objects.
Changing Lanes
When changing lanes or trying to overtake a vehicle, it is important to check the mirrors before changing lanes or overtaking. In such a case, in order to ensure that there is no vehicle on the side of the vehicle, the blind spot must be accessed as well as the appropriate reflectors.
Maneuvers
When you are making a maneuver like changing lanes, you must use both mirrors before executing the any maneuver. It is possible to see most of the road through the mirrors, so turning the head quickly to check for blind spots or backup is generally the only physical action needed.
Next, check your blind spot over your shoulder before indicating, and finally, execute the maneuver. To determine the correct distance of the following vehicle, you will need to start with the internal mirror to check what is going on behind your vehicle & then check the appropriate side mirror to ensure that nothing is approaching your vehicle from the side.
Parallel Parking
It may not be directly related to driving, but it is still an important point to keep in mind, even though it does not relate to it. You should always check both your mirrors and blind spot when you exit your car on the road. If possible, open the door with the hand further from it, and swivel your hand as you do so.
Define Blind Spots in a car?
The mirrors on a car are designed in such a way that they use different ways to reduce blind spots. It is important to note that blind spots are those areas on both sides of the vehicle that cannot be seen by the driver in the mirror and that require the driver to turn their head to see them physically. Due to the convexity of the mirrors on the external side, the size of the blind spot is reduced.
Types of Blind Spots
Pillar Blind Spots: As a result of the pillars blocking your view, you may experience pillar blind spots in your car.
Real Quarter Blind Spots: It is not uncommon for you to see blind spots at the rear quarters of your vehicle, which are located along the sides of the vehicle towards your rear. These blind spots are neither too far back to be covered by your mirrors, nor too far forward for you to see them simply by looking out the window.
Mirror Position to Remove Blind Spots
Seating Adjustment: Be sure your driver’s seat is properly adjusted before you adjust your vehicle’s rear view mirror. I would strongly recommend that you refer to the owner’s manual of your vehicle if you are not sure how to adjust the position of the seat.
In order to reach the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and clutch pedal comfortably, you should move the seat back and forth and up and down in order to have a comfortable reach for the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and clutch pedal, if necessary.
It is important to adjust the seat first, clip on your seat belt, and then place the mirror after you have fastened it. This will ensure that you are in the same position as when you took the seat.
Side View Mirror Adjustment: You need to see the car on the driveway next to you if you do not want to see the side of your own car. Using the following adjustment, you will be able to see more lanes next to you by adjusting the side mirrors.
Passenger Side Window: As you adjust the passenger-side mirror, tilt the window of the passenger-side of the vehicle the same amount, then adjust the wing mirror in the same way, until the point on the rear corner of the car is visible to you.
Driver Side Window: If you want to adjust the mirror on the passenger’s side, start by putting your head on the driver’s side window until the glass comes into contact with your head. Leaving the car in this position will allow you to barely see the back corner of the car when you adjust the driver’s side mirror.
Side View Adjustment: You may want to sit in a normal position after you have adjusted your side mirror, and then make some adjustments to that mirror.
When the passing car disappears from the side view mirror, you should be able to see it in the mirror when the passing car appears. In order to keep everything as organized as possible, you may have to make a few minor adjustments along the way.
Rear View Mirror Adjustment
- The mirror should only be adjusted when you are seated in your normal driving position & the car is stationary. That is the case for all car mirrors as well & make sure you hold the mirror at the edges in order to avoid leaving finger marks on it.
- You should adjust the mirror so that if you are looking through the back window without having to move your head, you can see everything clearly.
- When you look into the interior mirror, you should be able to see the entire rear window, but if you cannot, make sure that you can see the right-hand side of the top left side of the rear window, if possible.
- Whenever you change your seat and get on the bus, check the position of the mirror. You may need to adjust the position of the mirror at the beginning of the drive due to the vibration in the vehicle, which may cause the mirror to move a small amount.
Why is Driver Examiner Values Mirror Checking in Driving Test?
In order to pass the driving test you must demonstrate your ability to use the mirrors both immediately in front of the vehicle as well as when approaching a hazard or performing a driving test maneuver. Make it a habit to frequently glance in your mirrors so that you become accustomed to looking at them. In the event that you misuse the mirrors, you will be penalized one minor fault every time you do this.
- An excellent test candidate should always use mirrors on a regular basis and be aware of the presence of other people in their blind spots when using mirrors.
- A mirror must be used early in the process before signaling, changing direction, changing speed, and as part of the mirror signal maneuver routine before signaling or changing direction.
- If you are using your mirrors, make sure you do not take your eyes off the road in front for any period of time while you are doing so.
- You should be able to spot the car ahead with a quick glance, but if it is not, then you should take a series of short glances to avoid taking your eyes off the road.
- It is important to keep an eye on your mirrors earlier and more frequently as you travel faster.
- You should always check your mirrors if you have to speed up, slow down, change direction, turn, indicate, stop, or if you are approaching any hazard that could make you do any of these things.
Difference between Convex & Concave Mirror in a Car
Convex Mirrors in Car
The surface of a convex mirror has a curve that is outward, so that when light is falling on it, it is reflected into the direction of the source of light. A mirror of this type creates a virtual image of the object based on the actual size of the object, and this image is slightly blurred in comparison to the actual size of the object. It is easy to see an upright image of an object when using a convex mirror as opposed to a plane mirror, as well as offering a larger viewing area.
Applications: These types of mirrors can be seen in a wide range of applications, such as rear-view mirrors of cars, side view mirrors of cars, and even rear view mirrors on motorcycles. When the object is in their focus, these mirrors can help cut down the number of blind spots in the vehicles if they are in alignment with the object.
Concave Mirrors in Car
As opposed to a convex mirror, which has the reflecting surface curved inwards, a concave mirror will have the reflecting surface angled away from the light source. Reflective mirrors can reflect the light falling on them to one focal point. As a result, this creates a reflection of the object that is actually larger than its original size due to the reflection of light that falls on it.
Applications: It is common to find these types of mirrors on the front headlights of cars as they provide improved focus and reflectivity of the light emitted from the vehicle’s braking system over a wider area of their installation.
That is the reason during driving; the light rays from the automobile’s lightning system reach a great distance and guide the driver. Additionally, a concave mirror is also used in solar powered energy devices since they concentrate the entire beam of sunlight into a definite point and thus help store energy from the sun.
Define Anti-dazzle Position
It is possible to be dazzled by headlights reflected in your mirror during the night when you are driving. It is possible to set most interior mirrors to an anti-dazzle position in order to prevent this from happening. Using this method, you move your mirror slightly upwards and backward so that it is pointed at your car’s ceiling. The mirror will still reflect what’s going on behind you, so don’t worry about it. You’ll avoid glare because the picture will be much dimmer.
