Blind Spot Fix?

[Stewie]

What have you guys been doing to help minimize the blind spots?

I've adjusted my rear view and side view mirrors but it still feels like there is a considerable blind spot at times.

I've read the other threads but I'm wondering if anyone has found more creative ways to address it than convex side view mirrors or the little stick on blind spot mirrors or the uber-wide rear view that clips on over the stock rear view.

I think a mirror that could fit in the top corners of the windshield would be cool and effective but any creative ideas are welcome.

Thanks

[SJS]

I just do my best to pay attention and sort of "sense" where cars are lol

[Stewie]

I do the same lol. But I'm tall and I have the seat all the way back and slightly reclined. Thus when I turn my head to look to the left, i see more b pillar than what's in my blind spot.

[NickDC88]

Didn't even think about getting creative with it. Just went ahead and got the Rexspeed mirrors. Easy install and they helped a lot more that they thought the would.

[Baoturbo]

Same 6 foot. Seat pushed all the way to the back. I actually have to shoulder check to make sure theres no cars. Can't help it. Not sure about the rexspeed ones though cuz I haven't seen them in use with my own eyes

[killboy]

Really not trying to sound like a smartass, but you do have your mirrors angled way out so you don't see any of the side of your own car in them, right? I'm 6' and I don't have any issues with seeing my blind spots, but I have my mirrors angled out.

[N1rve]

I have my stock mirrors set properly. -pew pew pew- shots fired.

[Lo]

Kept this in my favorites:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8847

[swarb]

Most people have it adjusted wrong. If you use the side mirror to look behind you, you're doing it wrong. I see people look at the driver side mirror to look behind them when they should be using the inside mirror. I have been driving it the wrong way for years and finally tried the right way after I got this car, it took a little getting used to, but now it is second nature. No more shoulder checks.

The only thing about adjusting it the right way is-
-It can be hard to curb check when backing up during parking, you need to lean to the right a little.
-Motorcycles that are riding near the lane markers.
-Tiny blind spot when another car is directly next to you but you see them when you turn your head to look at the mirror, and their car would be in your peripheral vision.



Here is the new blind spot when the car is moving from one mirror to another(fig2) which is not really there, and also where motorcycles can hide. And the other when they are right next to you(fig4).

[HerrFunf]

I never really understood people talking about blind spots or having to look over their shoulder to change lanes. Like the post above states, if you have your SIDE view mirrors angled correctly, your peripheral vision/rear view mirror/side view mirror combine to eliminate blind spots. Its always hilarious to me when people have their side view mirrors angled so they can see the side of their car. Turning your head to look back is just asking to rear end someone.. which is cool, if that's what you're into.
The only true blindspot I have in my FRS is from the passenger head rest, which I take off and throw in the back until some needs to ride shotgun.

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by swarb

Most people have it adjusted wrong. If you use the side mirror to look behind you, you're doing it wrong. I see people look at the driver side mirror to look behind them when they should be using the inside mirror. I have been driving it the wrong way for years and finally tried the right way after I got this car, it took a little getting used to, but now it is second nature. No more shoulder checks.

The only thing about adjusting it the right way is-
-It can be hard to curb check when backing up during parking, you need to lean to the right a little.
-Motorcycles that are riding near the lane markers.
-Tiny blind spot when another car is directly next to you but you see them when you turn your head to look at the mirror, and their car would be in your peripheral vision.



Here is the new blind spot when the car is moving from one mirror to another(fig2) which is not really there, and also where motorcycles can hide. And the other when they are right next to you(fig4).

Thanks for the image. I have been using the Fig.1/Fig.4 adjustment since buying my BRZ. It feels a little strange not having a little of the body appear in the mirror, but I'm getting used to it. In our Outback, Fig.2/Fig.5 is the better setup as there is excellent sight lines all around. I think mirror adjustment is dependent on the vehicle.

Regardless of what car I'm driving, or how the mirrors are adjusted, I still look to the left and right before changing lanes and to keep an eye on surrounding vehicles.

[D_Thissen]

Originally Posted by Agent 86

Thanks for the image. I have been using the Fig.1/Fig.4 adjustment since buying my BRZ. It feels a little strange not having a little of the body appear in the mirror, but I'm getting used to it. In our Outback, Fig.2/Fig.5 is the better setup as there is excellent sight lines all around. I think mirror adjustment is dependent on the vehicle.

Regardless of what car I'm driving, or how the mirrors are adjusted, I still look to the left and right before changing lanes and to keep an eye on surrounding vehicles.

After I learned how to set my mirrors correctly (the way above) I noticed the blind spots are almost non existent. I'm not sure why they don't teach you this in drivers ed. Along with how to change a tire.

[stugray]

Originally Posted by killboydotcom

Really not trying to sound like a smartass, but you do have your mirrors angled way out so you don't see any of the side of your own car in them, right? I'm 6' and I don't have any issues with seeing my blind spots, but I have my mirrors angled out.

My habit has always been to have a tiny part of my fender visible at the edge of my side mirrors. Helps when backing into my driveway.

Then I have one of those stick on convex mirrors on the driver's side mirror for my left blindspot.
I dont need to look over my shoulder.

However you get so used to that mirror being in your field of view I catch myself NOT checking my blind spot when driving a car that does NOT have one of those convex mirrors.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by HerrFunf

I never really understood people talking about blind spots or having to look over their shoulder to change lanes. Like the post above states, if you have your SIDE view mirrors angled correctly, your peripheral vision/rear view mirror/side view mirror combine to eliminate blind spots.

Wrong. There is cone of blindness that starts just behind the driver's seat on the driver's side and expands outward the further an object is from the car. Here is a crude line drawing to illustrate:



If you have your mirrors adjusted correctly, you will be able to see a car in the lane immediately next to you because that cone of blindness is narrower than a car in that lane. But since the cone expands outward, if a car is another lane over (for example in the far left lane of a three-lane highway), it is impossible to see in the mirrors because the cone of blindness is wide enough at that point for the car to hide in.

I drive a lot on interstates (just over 30K miles on this car in my first year of ownership), so I've had plenty of opportunities to observe this phenomenon in the real world. If I am driving in the right lane on a three-lane interstate and want to take the center lane, I have to physically look over my shoulder to ensure that someone from the far left lane is not also attempting to take that lane. This can present a real challenge in heavier multi-lane traffic in cities. It's also a challenge in areas that have entrance ramps from the left. The cities I travel in and to for my job have a lot of both.

I have tried a number of adjustments to the mirrors to eliminate that blind spot. It isn't possible, at least not with the stock mirrors.

Edited to add another, more detailed crappy drawring: