People having a hard time with the FR-S blind spot

[driver01]

I was talking to a coworker and the subject of adjusting your outer mirror (aka side view mirrors) came up. he explained to me how to adjust your mirrors in such a way that you have great awareness of the traffic around you. Before this, I would adjust my outer mirrors in such a way that I can see my car in the mirrors. after trying this "new" setup I feel more comfortable driving. A couple months later I found an article about it, so... here it is.

(it might be disorienting at the begining but great once you get used to. also, I would still recommend to do a shoulder check when changing lanes, specially if you are on the right lane and there are two lanes to your left as the car on the far left might be doing a lane change at the same time as you. or vice versa)



For the past few years, various carmakers have been offering blind-spot detection systems for their cars’ side mirrors. Often complex, these systems employ cameras or radar to scan the adjoining lanes for vehicles that may have disappeared from view.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published a paper in 1995 suggesting how outside mirrors could be adjusted to eliminate blind spots. The paper advocates adjusting the mirrors so far outward that the viewing angle of the side mirrors just overlaps that of the cabin’s rearview mirror. This can be disorienting for drivers used to seeing the flanks of their own car in the side mirrors. But when correctly positioned, the mirrors negate a car’s blind spots. This obviates the need to glance over your shoulder to safely change lanes as well as the need for an expensive blind-spot warning system.

The only problem is getting used to the SAE-recommended mirror positions. The cabin’s rearview mirror is used to keep an eye on what is coming up from behind, while the outside mirrors reflect the area outside the view of the inside rearview mirror.

Those who have switched to the SAE’s approach swear by it, however, some drivers can’t adjust to not using the outside mirrors to see directly behind the car and miss being able to see their own car in the side mirrors. To them we say, “Have fun filling out those accident reports.”

[driver01]

Another tip, that i figure out about this. if you set up your right side mirror lower than usual, you can still see the car in your blindspot as well as the curb beneath you when you are trying to parallel park. No more curb rash.
you just have to move your head slightly to the right when parallel parking to get the right angle to see the curb

[Draco-REX]

What the article fails to consider is that by seeing the flanks of your own car in the side mirrors you can better judge distance; something that's very difficult in the right hand mirror.

I also take exception with the statement that by adjusting your mirrors like this you no longer have to turn your head to check your blindspots. Always double-check your blind spots.

Now I'm not saying people shouldn't adjust their mirrors like this. It makes good sense. But some people have depth perception issues and may NEED the flanks in the mirror. And what you see in the mirror should never replace common sense and what you can see with your own eyes.

[Dadhawk]

That's exactly how I have my mirrors set up, and I have no blind spot. I can drive the car safely with reference to mirrors only.

Besides, the FR-S is a glass ****pit compared to my wife's Mustang convertible, or flying a Cessna 172!

[FRiSson]

I have adjusted my mirrors to eliminate the blind spot, but it is hard to get used to. I still swing my head back and forth when I merge to get a view from both the old and new position.

[BlaineWasHere]

I've been setting up my mirrors like this since they showed my how in drivers training when I was 15... WAAAY better!

[mpicher]

My wife's 2012 CR-V actually has a split drivers side mirror. It's a little funny to get used to but it's effective.

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by mpicher

My wife's 2012 CR-V actually has a split drivers side mirror. It's a little funny to get used to but it's effective.

When I worked for a beer distributor all of our full size vans had this on both sides and I LOVED it!

[neutral]

For me the issue isn't the lane next to me, but the lane two over. I'm always super paranoid about merging into someone trying to merge into the same lane at the same time. I've had the mirrors set up just like that picture for years now, and haven't had a problem with the lane immediately adjacent since. But I can't do a quick look-back anymore to check my 5 and 7 o'clock positions 2 lanes over. There's just car in the way

[Superhatch]

I've been setting up my cars and everyone I know like this since I first learned about it. I can't drive a car any other way!

[smbrm]

Agree with method of setting mirrors. It really does open the view to the rear so that as a vehicle exits one mirror it enters another or your peripheral vision.

As for knowing where the back end or your car is, it is always in the same place relative to the driver. You may need to resort to some other techniques to know where that is relative to the driving position, but once you know where it is, it is always in the same place!

Whereas the cars around you can always be changing position.

Drove a Ford Focus rental car recently with built in mini convex blindspot mirrors to assist the side view. They were in the outside upper corner of the mirror. What I thought interesting however was that when you adjusted the side view mirror as above, the mini mirror then gave you an even wider view. I had not seen that in a production mirror before. I also expect it would take some getting used too, if you have not had them before.

I am sure we have all seen aftermarket stickon's as well.

[MVJ1975]

I've done this for years. My old MX-3 had massive blind spots due to the way the rear curved, and positioning my mirrors this way was incredibly helpful. I adjusted the FR-S's mirrors to a similar position before I even took it off of the lot.

[Vracer111]

The above mentioned is about how I've set up my mirrors for a long time since learning about it years ago.

For adjusting the drivers side mirror place your head against the drivers side door glass and adjust mirror so you just see your vehicle in the mirror. For adjusting the passenger side mirror put your head in between the drivers and passenger seat (rear view mirror should be directly in front of you) and adjust until you just see your vehicle in the mirror. Then adjust the rearview mirror while in driving postion, centered to slightly more of the drivers side in view. I always physically check to both sides even with this adjustment because the adjustment does nothing for that driver beside you who is changing to the lane next to you while you want to go into the same lane.

[michaelahess]

I've been doing this since I was 16. Can't believe its not common knowledge. There are a few downsides but this method is far better than seeing your own car. Especially in busy city traffic. Not that I wouldn't like to see my own car more...if I had one!

[michaelahess]

After done adjusting, have someone walk VERY slowely around the car. You should always see them. I do this with every new car I get, pisses my wife off, but she almost never changes the mirrors afterward, other than a little down for her height difference.

[GodSays]

It's not tooo bad for me just hate when people mess up my mirror setting when they sit in the car n automatically start messing with switches n buttons

[Scik]

Originally Posted by GodSays

It's not tooo bad for me just hate when people mess up my mirror setting when they sit in the car n automatically start messing with switches n buttons

NO ONE has sat in the driver's seat but me. Period. They call me a$$hole, I say sit in the passenger and enjoy the ride...

[Lonewolf]

I've always used a blind spot mirror on all my cars...never had any issues.

[GodSays]

A broadway mirror might help too

[nix]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

I also take exception with the statement that by adjusting your mirrors like this you no longer have to turn your head to check your blindspots. Always double-check your blind spots.

Now I'm not saying people shouldn't adjust their mirrors like this. It makes good sense. But some people have depth perception issues and may NEED the flanks in the mirror. And what you see in the mirror should never replace common sense and what you can see with your own eyes.

+1000

The most important thing IMO is to work on your spatial awareness. Improving mirror use is a part of that but a good driver will always know exactly where every car is around him, and despite 'knowing' that will always check.

[Godzilla35]

I always check over my shoulders. Habit I keep from riding a motorcycle. I use the "wrong" way because I like to see the edges of my car to keep my perspective, just a personal preferrence I guess. Also, I move my mirror pretty high to get as much of the rear background to watch for speeders/motorcycles/cops/emergency vehicles coming up fast behind me. I usually move my mirror down also when parallel parking or backing up in tight spaces because I'm paranoid of curbing my wheels. I've only done it once and it was because I turned my wheel after I parked *doh*

[Matador]

Federal regulations won't allow technology to solve that problem (hint. A solution already exists, but can't be implemented)



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