Safety - adjust mirrors to get rid of blind spots. Here's how.

Lester · 10-13-2008, 05:57 AM

It happened to me yesterday while out driving. I nearly got chop blocked by an SUV driver changing lanes. I noticed him just in time to brake to avoid any problem. When he did get in front of me, I could see by how his mirrors were set - that all he could see in the side mirrors were the sides of his SUV. Why do people do it that way? You don't need to see the sides of your vehicle in your mirrors, they are never going to harm you! All you do is create blind spots.

Here is a nice write up:

Oregon · 10-13-2008, 06:37 AM

Great post, Lester. Thanks.

imported_mega · 10-13-2008, 07:14 AM

you still have blind spots, so save a motorcyclist and please check them before you run one over

pit1 · 10-13-2008, 09:01 AM

great find!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mega

you still have blind spots, so save a motorcyclist and please check them before you run one over

+1 good mirror alignment shouldn't replace a quick glance over the shoulder or a lean forward to check the scope of your left mirror.

Sherifftruman · 10-13-2008, 11:46 AM

I have been driving with my mirrors like this ofor 10 years probably. Some cars with bigger mirrors, you can pretty much eliminate all of hte blind spot. On most smaller cars, there is still a blindspot like others said. (especially in the MINI as they took the name to heart when designing the Rear View Mirror.)

This comes in really handy for cruising on the highway and allows you to keep aware of your surroundings much better as you will see a car if it comes up and passes you, in some mirror or the other, even if it is slow. I have found this saved my tail a few times when someone did something unexpected and I was able to move over due to knowing where people were.

xbook · 10-13-2008, 12:50 PM

Learned this trick @ a BMWCCA HPDE. It has been one of the best tricks taught to me, for everyday driving safety.

Thanks for the share

mistermojorizin · 10-13-2008, 01:51 PM

the way i was tought to do this was set the side mirrors so that you see the sides of your car, then angle them out so the sides disappear.

Lester · 10-13-2008, 05:00 PM

That sounds like it would work. The bottom line is you shouldn't see the side of your car at all. It needs to be fine tuned for every car and driver.

10-13-2008, 05:57 AM	#1
Lester Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,351 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Safety - adjust mirrors to get rid of blind spots. Here's how. It happened to me yesterday while out driving. I nearly got chop blocked by an SUV driver changing lanes. I noticed him just in time to brake to avoid any problem. When he did get in front of me, I could see by how his mirrors were set - that all he could see in the side mirrors were the sides of his SUV. Why do people do it that way? You don't need to see the sides of your vehicle in your mirrors, they are never going to harm you! All you do is create blind spots. Here is a nice write up: Attached Images
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10-13-2008, 06:37 AM	#2
Oregon NRA Life Member, BMW CCA 30 year member 213 Rep 2,614 Posts Drives: 04' M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oregon iTrader: (1) Garage List 1971 2002 [0.00] 2004 M3 [0.00] 2008 135i [0.00]	Great post, Lester. Thanks. __________________ Resigned 1ADDICTS Moderator “To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them.” – George Mason
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10-13-2008, 07:14 AM	#3
imported_mega Colonel 125 Rep 2,205 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	you still have blind spots, so save a motorcyclist and please check them before you run one over __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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10-13-2008, 11:46 AM	#5
Sherifftruman Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 295 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2007 iTrader: (0)	I have been driving with my mirrors like this ofor 10 years probably. Some cars with bigger mirrors, you can pretty much eliminate all of hte blind spot. On most smaller cars, there is still a blindspot like others said. (especially in the MINI as they took the name to heart when designing the Rear View Mirror.) This comes in really handy for cruising on the highway and allows you to keep aware of your surroundings much better as you will see a car if it comes up and passes you, in some mirror or the other, even if it is slow. I have found this saved my tail a few times when someone did something unexpected and I was able to move over due to knowing where people were.
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10-13-2008, 12:50 PM	#6
xbook Lieutenant Colonel 137 Rep 1,540 Posts Drives: '14 EBII M235i & '06 R53 GP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northridge, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 MINI Cooper S GP [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00] 2008 E82 [0.00]	Learned this trick @ a BMWCCA HPDE. It has been one of the best tricks taught to me, for everyday driving safety. Thanks for the share __________________
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10-13-2008, 01:51 PM	#7
mistermojorizin Lieutenant Colonel 40 Rep 1,657 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	the way i was tought to do this was set the side mirrors so that you see the sides of your car, then angle them out so the sides disappear. __________________ "KOPEYKA" /// Titanium Silver / Black Leather / Gray Poplar / Sport Package / Premium Package / 6MT / Feb 08 Production
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10-13-2008, 05:00 PM	#8
Lester Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,351 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	That sounds like it would work. The bottom line is you shouldn't see the side of your car at all. It needs to be fine tuned for every car and driver.
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