Tired of the blindspot?

[Gaiakai]

Originally Posted by moniz

Been wanting to post this info for awhile, that there is no blind spot when your cars mirrors are adjusted properly. But telling them they're doing it wrong is just asking to get flamed!

Lol ikr

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by anteater86

Pardon the ignorance, but why would these be illegal?

It's a mirror...........................

Why would the ability to shorten a rifle from 34 inches to 30 inches by collapsing or folding the buttstock be illegal? Many things in the United States are(or were) illegal for absurd and incredibly ridiculous reasons.

The short answer is: the morons we elect.

[Mazdaspeed]

Originally Posted by Calidrifter

It was mentioned in post #5.

D'oh, that's what I get for not clicking links.

[ShoGun]

heres the trick to set them up perfectly. (learned this from an Ex surprisingly):

-Lean all the way to the Left to where your head is almost touching the drivers side window
-Adjust the Left mirror so that the edge of your car is barely in view
-Lean all the way to the right while still in your seat (so your body is leaning over the cup holders)
-Adjust your side mirror so that the edge of the right side of your car is barely in view.

All set! now practice getting used to using your rearview, sides and looking out your window to be aware of your surroundings.

[RRnold]

Why not just go with a Broadway rear view mirror?

Here is the CA law regarding mirrors

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26709.htm

Mirrors

26709. (a) Every motor vehicle registered in a foreign jurisdiction and every motorcycle subject to registration in this state shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
Every motor vehicle subject to registration in this state, except a motorcycle, shall be equipped with not less than two such mirrors, including one affixed to the left-hand side.
(b) The following described types of motor vehicles, of a type subject to registration, shall be equipped with mirrors on both the left-and right-hand sides of the vehicle so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle:
(1) A motor vehicle so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver's view to the rear.
(2) A motor vehicle towing a vehicle and the towed vehicle or load thereon obstructs the driver's view to the rear.
(3) A bus or trolley coach.
(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not apply to a passenger vehicle when the load obstructing the driver's view consists of passengers.

[eriktherod]

Seriously. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Broadway-Blue-Convex-300mm-Mirror/dp/B001RJAMVA"]Broadway Convex 300m (Blue Tinted)[/ame] (~$20)

Best mod I've ever done to a car. And it's JDM yo'~

[Hawaiian]

The only drawback to the mirror angle is the lack of depth perception with no piece of your car in view within the mirror.

The curved mirror law is why truckers will run multiple mirrors. Their primary mirror must be "flat". It would take a real jerk to bust you for it though.

[Deebeaux]

Properly adjusting the mirrors is key to eliminating the blind spot. I'm glad someone linked that Car & Driver article, I've never seen it, but will now pass it on to friends.

Secondly the aftermarket mirrors are "illegal" because they do not meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). FMVSS is the same group of laws that makes it nearly impossible to import foreign vehicles newer than 25 years old without spending lottery money.

Here's the mirror section: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...px?reg=571.111

Here's the parts of signifance as related to the side mirrors:

S5.1.1 Field of view. Except as provided in S5.3, the mirror shall provide a field of view with an included horizontal angle measured from the projected eye point of at least 20 degrees, and a sufficient vertical angle to provide a view of a level road surface extending to the horizon beginning at a point not greater than 61 m to the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is occupied by the driver and four passengers or the designated occupant capacity, if less, based on an average occupant weight of 68 kg. The line of sight may be partially obscured by seated occupants or by head restraints. The location of the driver's eye reference points shall be those established in Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104 (§571.104) or a nominal location appropriate for any 95th percentile male driver.

S5.3 Outside rearview mirror passenger's side. Each passenger car whose inside rearview mirror does not meet the field of view requirements of S5.1.1 shall have an outside mirror of unit magnification or a convex mirror installed on the passenger's side. The mirror mounting shall provide a stable support and be free of sharp points or edges that could contribute to pedestrian injury. The mirror need not be adjustable from the driver's seat but shall be capable of adjustment by tilting in both horizontal and vertical directions.

S5.4 Convex mirror requirements. Each motor vehicle using a convex mirror to meet the requirements of S5.3 shall comply with the following requirements:

S5.4.1 When each convex mirror is tested in accordance with the procedures specified in S12. of this standard, none of the radii of curvature readings shall deviate from the average radius of curvature by more than plus or minus 12.5 percent.

S5.4.2 Each convex mirror shall have permanently and indelibly marked at the lower edge of the mirror's reflective surface, in letters not less than 4.8 mm nor more than 6.4 mm high the words “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear.”

S5.4.3 The average radius of curvature of each such mirror, as determined by using the procedure in S12., shall be not less than 889 mm and not more than 1,651 mm.

The mirrors are simply illegal because they don't say, "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear." They most likely violate other sections of the FMVSS, but that one is the only one that is easily noticeable/enforceable if that's a concern for you.

That being said, I've installed aspherical and spherical JDM/EDM mirrors on my vehicles for years and it's never been an issue as far as police/inspections go. I'm in Louisiana, they'll put an inspection sticker on just about anything that resembles a motor vehicle here. In the People's Republic of California it might be a different story.

I have also adjusted the mirrors on my FR-S and do not notice a blind spot after getting them "just right." The key now is to not let anyone else drive the car and move them.

[russv]

I haven't found the blind spot to be a big problem. You have 3 mirrors and a swivel head. Use them all.

[Tanuki]

It was already stated, but Broadway 300mm changed my life. I love mine. I have one in my race car as well.

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by Laika

It makes me look like a complete dork but I just got those $5 round blindspot mirrors that you put in the corner...mine are adjustable too

I think they're much more beneficial than these and have already saved me from some jerk who didn't want to speed up, slow down, or change lanes to let me merge. You will look a bit daft with them though

I think that's what I'm going to do... I'm going to try and adjust my mirrors to reduce it as much as I can, but I feel the smaller mirrors give that extra sense of safety. Also, my posture is terrible so when I leave in the morning I'm sitting up straighter than when I leave work in the evening. There are many times where I have to readjust twice in one day...

[Laika]

Originally Posted by polarbear

I think that's what I'm going to do... I'm going to try and adjust my mirrors to reduce it as much as I can, but I feel the smaller mirrors give that extra sense of safety. Also, my posture is terrible so when I leave in the morning I'm sitting up straighter than when I leave work in the evening. There are many times where I have to readjust twice in one day...

If you get them put on the lower inside corner. Everyone assumes they should be on the outside edge of the mirror which seems foolish to me...

[7thgear]

this car has no blindspot

if you set your side mirrors right you have 100% side vision, if i don't see a car in my mirror, i will see it by just turning my head slightly

you guys are doing it wrong.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by eriktherod

Seriously. Broadway Convex 300m (Blue Tinted) (~$20)

Best mod I've ever done to a car. And it's JDM yo'~

Originally Posted by Tanuki

It was already stated, but Broadway 300mm changed my life. I love mine. I have one in my race car as well.

Yohan or what is now called Mitsuwa was the place where most people bought them.

That is the only thing that I kept when I sold my Integra! It feels weird when I drive somebody car that doesn't have a Broadway mirror.