Imagine never being able to see other vehicles on the road until they're in front of you. Now imagine doing this in a rental vehicle you're driving for the first time. Properly adjusted mirrors keep you aware of your surroundings, minimize your blind spot, and enable you to safely navigate almost any driving terrain. Here's how to do it right.
Rearview Mirror
Sit in the driver's seat in a comfortable driving position. Point the center mirror at the middle of your rear window — you should see directly out the center. Check that both headrests and the edges of the rear window are equally visible. Make sure you can see both the top and bottom of your rear window. Glancing into your mirror only to see the ceiling of your car is of no use.
Sideview Mirrors
For your driver's side mirror, lean as far as you can toward the window, then tilt the mirror so you can just barely see the rear of your vehicle. When you sit back, the mirror now shows part of your blind spot along with the road beside you. For the passenger side, lean to the center of your vehicle and repeat the same steps. Whether your mirrors are power-adjusted or manual, what you should see from the driver's seat remains the same.
Eliminating Your Blind Spot
The blind spot is any area on the road that can't be observed from the driver's seat or by glancing into your mirrors. With proper alignment — eliminating the overlap between your rearview and sideview mirrors — your blind spot can be virtually eliminated. Check your mirrors every five to seven seconds while driving. The entire adjustment takes less than five minutes but can save you a lifetime of trouble.
Before you pull onto the highway in your rental, take five minutes to adjust all three mirrors. It's one of the most important safety steps you can take.
Review more rental car safety tips and book your next independent car rental with confidence.