Adjust your mirrors before you drive
Side view mirrors need to show you the road behind and beside your vehicle without forcing you to lean or crane your neck. A properly adjusted mirror eliminates most blind spots and lets you see lane changes happening around you. You can adjust both mirrors from the driver's seat using the controls on your door panel — it takes about two minutes and requires no tools.
The goal is to position each mirror so that a small portion of your vehicle's side appears in the inner edge of the mirror, with the rest showing the road behind and beside you. This overlap lets you transition smoothly from your side mirror to your main mirror as a vehicle passes, so nothing disappears from view.
Key Takeaways
- Adjust mirrors while sitting in your normal driving position, not leaning to the side, so the angles match what you will actually see while driving.
- Each mirror should show a small sliver of your vehicle's side on the inner edge, with most of the view showing the road and traffic behind you.
- Use the electronic controls on your door panel to move the mirrors — push the selector switch to choose left or right mirror, then use the directional pad to angle it.
- Check your mirrors again after adjusting them by looking at what you see in each one, then glancing over your shoulder to confirm there are no blind spots.
Locate the mirror adjustment controls on your door
Most vehicles have an electronic mirror adjustment system controlled by a switch on the driver's door panel, usually located near the window controls. The switch has a small selector — often shaped like a mirror or marked with L and R — that lets you choose which mirror you are adjusting. Push the selector toward the left to adjust the driver's side mirror, or toward the right to adjust the passenger side mirror.
Once you have selected a mirror, a directional pad (usually a small cross or four-way button) lets you move that mirror up, down, left, or right. Some older vehicles have manual adjustment instead — a small lever or dial on the mirror itself that you push or turn by hand. If your vehicle has manual mirrors, you will reach out the window or lean toward the mirror and move the lever directly.
Position yourself in your normal driving seat
Sit in the driver's seat the way you normally would when driving — back against the seat, hands on the wheel, eyes forward. Do not lean to the side or adjust your seat position just to reach the mirrors. The angle you see from your normal driving position is the angle that matters, because that is where your eyes will be when you are actually on the road.
If you share the vehicle with someone much taller or shorter, you may need to readjust the mirrors after they drive. Seat height and distance from the wheel both change what you see in the mirrors, so a mirror that works for one driver may not work for another.
Adjust the driver's side mirror first
Select the driver's side mirror using the selector switch on your door panel. Using the directional pad, move the mirror until you can see a small strip of your vehicle's side on the far left edge of the mirror — roughly the width of your hand. The rest of the mirror should show the road, lane markings, and traffic behind and to the side of your vehicle.
Move the mirror up or down so the horizon line (where the road meets the sky) runs roughly through the middle of the mirror. This positioning gives you the most useful view of traffic approaching from behind and from the side. If the mirror points too far down, you will see mostly road surface. If it points too far up, you will see mostly sky and lose sight of vehicles in your blind spot.
Adjust the passenger side mirror next
Select the passenger side mirror using the selector switch. Adjust it using the same method: position it so a small strip of your vehicle's side appears on the far right edge of the mirror, with the horizon line running through the middle. The passenger mirror typically needs to angle out a bit more than the driver's side mirror because the passenger side has a larger blind spot.
The passenger mirror should show you traffic approaching from the right side and behind. When a vehicle passes on your right, you should see it in your main mirror first, then in the passenger side mirror, then in your peripheral vision — with no moment where it completely disappears from view.
Test your mirrors by checking for blind spots
After adjusting both mirrors, sit in your normal driving position and look at what each mirror shows. Glance from your main mirror to your driver's side mirror to your passenger side mirror, then look over each shoulder to see what you cannot see in the mirrors. There should be a small blind spot directly beside each door, but vehicles should not vanish completely as they pass.
If you notice a vehicle disappearing from view as it moves from one mirror to the next, adjust the mirror that is missing it. Usually this means angling the mirror slightly outward (away from the vehicle) to capture more of the road beside you. Make small adjustments — even a quarter-turn of the control pad changes what you see significantly.
Readjust mirrors after someone else drives
If another driver uses your vehicle, the mirrors will be positioned for their height and seat position. Before you drive, take a minute to readjust them to your normal position. This is especially important if the other driver is significantly taller or shorter than you, or if they sit much closer to or farther from the steering wheel.
Some vehicles have memory settings that save mirror positions for different drivers. If your vehicle has this feature, you can program your preferred mirror angles and recall them with a button press. Check your owner's manual to see whether your vehicle supports this option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be able to see the side of my car in the mirror?
Yes, a small portion of your vehicle's side should be visible on the inner edge of each mirror — roughly the width of your hand. This overlap helps you track vehicles as they pass and prevents them from disappearing into your blind spot. If you cannot see any part of your vehicle, the mirror is angled too far outward.
What if my mirror is stuck or won't move?
Check that you have selected the correct mirror using the selector switch on your door panel. If the mirror still will not move, the adjustment motor may have failed or the switch may be broken. Have a mechanic inspect the mirror assembly. Manual mirrors can sometimes be freed by gently tapping the mirror housing with a rubber mallet if it has become stuck from age or corrosion.
Can I adjust mirrors while driving?
You should not adjust mirrors while the vehicle is moving. Pull over to a safe location, adjust the mirrors, and then resume driving. Adjusting mirrors while driving takes your attention off the road and increases the risk of a collision.
Why do my mirrors show a wide-angle view compared to what I see over my shoulder?
Side view mirrors are slightly curved to show a wider area than your eyes can see directly. This wider view is helpful for spotting traffic, but it can make vehicles appear farther away than they actually are. Always glance over your shoulder before changing lanes to confirm the distance and position of nearby vehicles.