How to Adjust Car Mirrors

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Using your car mirrors is a necessary skill to have when driving. Knowing how to adjust these mirrors and where to correctly position them is really important to ensure they are effective. There are two types of mirrors that you primarily use when driving: the wing mirrors (often called side mirrors) and the rear-view mirror. The wing mirrors are on either side of the car just outside the front windows. The rear-view mirror is located next to the driver, attached to the windshield at about eye level. You have to know how to adjust all of these to drive safely.

Get Car Support Solve Any Problem

wH
Hi there! Do you have a question about how to diagnose or fix a problem with your car? I’ve read the manual so you don’t have to. Select your make, model, and year, then ask away!
*
*
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Adjusting Your Wing Mirrors

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-1.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Mirrors reflect light. This means that what you see will be different depending on what perspective you are looking from. Once you're sitting in the driver's seat, you'll be almost set to start adjusting your mirrors. [1] [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-2.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will also have an impact on what you see when you look into your mirrors. Position your seat so you feel like your feet are gently resting on the pedals and that you can comfortably see over the front of the car. [3] [4]
    • Check that you can comfortably reach the gear stick and steering wheel.
    • Use a cushion to increase your height if you are particularly short and cannot see over the front of the car.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-3.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    As technologies have progressed, the physical method by which you change the angle of your mirrors has changed dramatically. In modern cars, many systems have been switched to electronic movement.
    • The buttons for this will normally be located just to the right of the steering wheel and will have four arrows on them indicating the direction of movement for the mirror.
    • There will also usually be a left/right control switch to choose which mirror to move.
    • If you can't seem to find the controls, head online and check as some can be hidden away in unusual places. [5]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-4.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most older cars will still have their mirrors adjusted by hand. The way this works is usually quite simple, you will simply push the mirror into whatever position you like. [6]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-5.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If done correctly, you will only just be able to see the edge of the back of your car. If you can see a lot of your car, the mirror is too far in and if you can see none of your car, the mirror is too far out. Both of these situations will increase your blindspot. [7]
    • You will have a blindspot regardless of how well adjusted your mirrors are, but the aim is to minimize this blindspot.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-6.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If done correctly, the horizon will be in the middle of the mirror and the road will look flat, rather than angled, going backward. Most people forget that you can also move the wing mirrors up and down. This has a fairly large impact on what you see when you look into your mirrors. [8]
    • This is one setting that will vary greatly with the driver's height so when driving a car for the first time, always check this.
    7. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Moving Your Rear-View Mirror

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-7.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When setting your mirror position, having the right posture is very important as it will greatly affect what you see in the mirror. However, this doesn't mean sitting in an unusual position because if you do this, when you drive, what you see will be very different to when you set the mirror. [9] [10]
    • Take some personal ownership here in terms of knowing how you sit when driving. For example, if you know you sit tall when driving, sit tall when setting your mirrors.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-8.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will mean that you have the maximum range of vision which will be equal on both sides. [11]
    • You will be able to see fairly far back in the lanes behind you if the mirror is on the correct angle.
    • You use this mirror most often whilst driving so the aim is for you to be able to just quickly glance at it, get the image, and look back at the road.
    Karen Gravelle, Driving Safety Advocate

    Set your rearview using the central frame lines first. For side mirrors, lean towards the passenger door and tweak angles until you barely see the car's side. Repeat for the driver side, lining up ideal spots eliminating blind zones. Take a few test drives, glancing briefly to check alignment. With mirrors correctly adjusted for your height and seat position, surround yourself with optimal viewing to drive aware.

  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-9.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When using this mirror at night, the cars behind you will have their lights on meaning there will most likely be some glare. Most cars have a night-view setting for this mirror which you can turn on. You can usually find the button attached to the mirror underneath or on the side of it. [12]
    • This setting simply reduces the glare that you will have to deal with.
    • Having the setting on during the day won't make a huge difference if you forget about it but because it dulls light coming in, try to remember to turn it off.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-10.jpg\/aid10179201-v4-728px-Adjust-Car-Mirrors-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This repositions the mirror so that the bottom edge is 1 inch (2.5 cm) - 2 inches (5.1 cm) higher than it is normally. This means the blind-spot for a particularly tall driver is substantially smaller.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you adjust car mirrors for maximum visibility?
    Simon Miyerov
    Driving Instructor
    Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.
    Simon Miyerov
    Driving Instructor
    Expert Answer
    So, for your left mirror, you should see one door handle. The right mirror should show both door handles. From the rearview, you should be able to see everything in the rear windshield without moving your head.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 46
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Always remember that you have blind-spots regardless of how well adjusted your mirrors are. As such, always physically turn your head and check when making decisions on the road.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Drive a Car
      Driving an Automatic Car: Your Full Step-by-Step Tutorial
      How to
      Reverse Into a Parking Space Like a Pro
      How to
      Adjust Seating to the Proper Position While Driving
      Learn How to Drive (for Beginners)
      How to
      Start a Car
      How to
      Steer Your Car
      How to
      Properly Use Your Turn Signals on the Road
      How to
      Stop at a STOP Sign
      How to
      Drive a Car in Reverse Gear
      How to
      Drive Uphill
      How to
      Park on a Hill
      How to
      Use the Center Turning Lane
      How to
      Determine Who Has Right of Way
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/mirrors-how-to-adjust/
      2. ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
      3. ↑ http://www.smartmotorist.com/car-accessories-fuel-and-maintenance/adjusting-your-mirrors-correctly.html
      4. ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
      5. ↑ https://www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/how-to-adjust-your-wing-mirrors-correctly/
      6. ↑ https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/mirrors-how-to-adjust/
      7. ↑ https://www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/how-to-adjust-your-wing-mirrors-correctly/
      8. ↑ https://www.drivingtesttips.biz/mirror-adjustment.html
      9. ↑ http://www.smartmotorist.com/car-accessories-fuel-and-maintenance/adjusting-your-mirrors-correctly.html
      1. ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
      2. ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
      3. ↑ http://www.smartmotorist.com/car-accessories-fuel-and-maintenance/adjusting-your-mirrors-correctly.html
      4. ↑ Simon Miyerov. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 157,663 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement