Adjusting the Mirrors | Steer Clear | State Farm®

(Music playing)

(Text on screen)
Adjusting the Mirrors

(IMAGE)
An animated car is seen driving down 
a simple animated roadway. 
Next, we see an aerial view of several cars 
driving down a roadway. The view available 
to the driver of the lead car is indicated. 
After that, we see the car parked, and a person 
standing to the left of the car so the driver 
can test for blind spots. The car’s side view mirror 
is shown separately with the reflection of 
the outside person seen. The process 
is repeated for the right side. 
After that, the car disappears and the 
mirror is shown, the convex shape of the 
glass emphasized. Finally, the view as 
seen in the mirror is seen.

(Announcer: Male voice)
With mirrors adjusted properly, you'll be 
able to track most everything that's going 
on to the sides and behind your car. 
The rear and side view mirrors should 
be properly adjusted to get the widest 
view possible. This will help keep blind 
spots to a minimum. To adjust the mirrors, 
sit in the driver's seat and adjust the 
driver's side mirror until you can just 
see down the left side of the car.  
 
Then have a parent or friend stand by the 
left corner of the car. Adjust the left side 
of the mirror until you can see them in 
the mirror. Do the same for the right side, 
remembering that objects in the right 
side view mirror will appear differently 
because it's convex.  
 
This means it reflects more in a smaller space. 
In other words, a convex mirror has a wider 
field of view than a flat one, which can only 
reflect the area right in front of it. 
With a wider field of view, the driver has 
more information about the area 
to the right of the car. 

(IMAGE)
The rear view mirror is seen, with a 
reflection of another car visible, 
and then it disappears. 
 
(Announcer: Male voice)
Next, adjust the rear view mirror 
until you have the best view out of the 
back window while sitting straight 
up with your back against the seat.