Here's How to Adjust Your Mirrors
Cautious driving requires a clear view of both the road ahead and behind. Learn how to adjust your side and rear view mirror the right way!
Adjusting Your Rearview Mirror
First, let's walk through adjusting your rearview mirror. Do not attempt while driving.
- Sit in the driver's seat. Adjust your seat until you have comfortable access to the steering wheel, gear shifter, accelerator, and brake pedals. Now, sit as you usually would while driving.
- Gently move your rearview mirror, adjusting it so you can clearly and comfortably see the middle of your back windshield.
- Ensure your rearview mirror is correctly positioned. You should have a view of the entire rear windshield without moving your head or body.
Adjusting Your Side Mirrors
Are you struggling with blind spots? Poorly angled side mirrors, or wing mirrors, are likely to blame. Here's how to adjust your side mirrors and minimize blind spots. Do not attempt while driving.
- Sit comfortably in the driver's seat, with easy access to the wheel, gear shifter, and pedals.
- Locate the electronic controls for the mirror. They are located on the driver's side, near the window controls.
- Start with the driver's side mirror. Lean toward the driver's side window, with your face nearly pressing into the glass. Now, look into your driver's side wing mirror. From this position, toggle your mirror control until you can barely see a sliver of the left side of your car.
- Next, adjust your passenger's side mirror. To adjust your side mirror, you'll need to lean your head toward the passenger's side, so it's just above the center console and below the rearview mirror. Now, from this position, angle the passenger's side mirror until you can barely see the right side of the car.
- Double-check that your side mirrors are in an optimal position. Sitting as you normally would while driving, you should be able to see a car passing behind you move through each of your mirrors with little to no overlap. You should not have to move your head or body to check your mirrors. Instead, you should be able to quickly glance from the road ahead to your rearview and side mirrors.
Make sure to readjust your mirrors any time you move or adjust the driver's seat. Likewise, adjust the mirrors whenever you're driving someone else's car, even for short distances.
Don't Fall for Common Car Mirror Myths
Now that you have adjusted your mirrors to the proper angle, you might be wondering, “Am I using my car mirrors correctly?” Be sure you haven't fallen for these common car mirror myths!
Myth: While driving, you're supposed to be able to see the side of your car in your side mirrors.
If you can see the side of your car in the side mirror, you may be worsening your blind spot! In 1995, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) updated its guidelines on proper mirror adjustment, correcting this common misconception.
Myth: Blind spots are inevitable.
With proper mirror angling alone, you can significantly reduce your blind spots. If you're still battling a blind spot, consider adding blind spot mirrors to your side mirrors.
Myth: If you have a backup camera, you don't need to check your mirrors when reversing.
If your INFINITI is equipped with a RearView Monitor, you can expect a clearer view of the area behind your vehicle. Still, it's essential to check your mirrors and turn your head completely before backing up. RearView Monitor may not detect every object and does not eliminate blind spots or warn of moving objects. See owner's manual for safety information.
Myth: If you have built-in motion detection features, you don't have to check your mirrors before merging.
Your car's mirrors aren't obsolete quite yet. Though Blind Spot Warning can alert you to vehicles in the blind spot area, driving experts still recommend checking your mirrors and turning your head to look behind you before merging. Your best bet for preventing blind-spot collisions is to look, use your mirrors, and your best judgment. Blind Spot Warning cannot prevent collisions and may not detect every object or warn in all situations. Drivers should always turn and look before changing lanes. See Owner's Manual for safety information.
Myth: Unless you're merging, you don't need to check your mirrors while driving.
Use your mirrors with frequency! While in motion, you should be glancing from the road to your mirrors. The general rule of thumb is to look from the road to a mirror and back every five seconds. Work clockwise and glance from the road to the driver's side wing mirror, rearview mirror, and passenger's side wing mirror.
Pro Tip: Remember to take fast, frequent glances. Mirrors are for short glimpses, not long stares!
Myth: It's okay to drive with missing or damaged mirrors.
You shouldn't drive with missing or damaged mirrors. Depending on where you live, it may be illegal to drive with missing mirrors, and for a good reason. Broken or missing mirrors severely limit your field of vision.
A Clear Choice: Shop INFINITI Parts
Your INFINITI's mirrors are one of its most important features. When used correctly and in conjunction with your INFINITI's built-in road monitoring features, you can drive with confidence and a clearer view of the road.
If your INFINITI's mirrors are scratched, damaged, or missing, don't hit the road without them! Order new, authentic side and rearview mirrors from INFINITI Parts to maintain better road visibility.