Adjust your mirrors before you drive, not while you're moving

Wing mirrors — the ones mounted on the outside of your doors — need to be angled so you can see the road behind you and to the sides without turning your head. Most cars let you adjust them from inside the cabin using a small lever or electric controls on the door panel. You should set them up every time you get in, or whenever someone else has driven the car, because the angle changes easily if the mirror gets bumped.

The goal is to eliminate as many blind spots as possible. A properly adjusted mirror shows a thin sliver of your own car's side, most of the lane behind you, and the lane to your side. If you can see mostly your own car in the mirror, it's angled too far inward. If you can't see your car at all, it's angled too far outward.

Key Takeaways

  • Adjust your mirrors while parked, using either the manual lever on the door or the electric controls on the dashboard, depending on your car's design.
  • Position each mirror so you can see a thin edge of your own car's side, the lane directly behind you, and the adjacent lane.
  • Check your mirrors every time you drive, because bumps and vibration shift them throughout the day.
  • If your car has electric mirrors, the controls usually have a small joystick or buttons labeled with directional arrows.

Manual lever mirrors: how to move them

If your car has manual mirrors, you'll find a small lever or paddle on the inside of the door, usually near the window controls. This lever moves in four directions — up, down, left, and right — to tilt the mirror glass itself. Push the lever gently; the mirror will move in the direction you push.

Start with the driver's side mirror. Sit in the driving position and look at the mirror. Push the lever to angle the mirror down until you can see the road surface just behind your car. Then push it left or right until you can see the lane beside you. You should see only a sliver of your own car's side in the corner of the mirror — if you see more than that, push the lever away from you to angle it outward.

Repeat the process for the passenger side mirror. Because you're sitting on the left, the passenger mirror will feel less natural to adjust; take your time and make small movements. The passenger mirror should show the same view — a thin strip of your car, the road behind, and the side lane.

Electric mirrors: using the dashboard controls

Electric mirrors have a small control panel on the driver's door or dashboard, usually marked with a diagram showing left and right mirrors. There's normally a small joystick or a set of directional buttons. First, select which mirror you want to adjust by pressing the button or switch labeled "L" (left/driver) or "R" (right/passenger).

Once you've selected a mirror, use the joystick or arrow buttons to move it. Push up to tilt the mirror upward, down to tilt it downward, left to angle it inward, and right to angle it outward. Make small adjustments — electric mirrors move quickly and it's straightforward to overshoot. Stop when you've achieved the same view as you would with manual mirrors: a thin edge of your car, the road behind, and the adjacent lane.

Some cars have a memory function that saves mirror positions. If yours does, you can set the mirrors once and the car will return them to that position automatically when you start the engine. Check your owner's manual to see if this feature is available.

What to do if a mirror won't stay in position

If your mirror keeps drifting or moving on its own, the adjustment mechanism may be loose or damaged. Manual mirrors can develop play in the lever if the internal bracket wears out. Electric mirrors sometimes fail because the motor that moves them has stopped working, or the connection between the control and the mirror has come loose.

If the mirror moves only slightly or sticks partway through its range, try adjusting it several times in quick succession — sometimes the mechanism just needs to be worked back into place. If it continues to drift or won't move at all, the mirror will need to be inspected by a mechanic. A loose mirror is a safety issue because it can move while you're driving, and you may not notice until you need to see traffic in that direction.

Checking your mirrors while driving

Once you've set your mirrors, glance at them every few seconds while driving. This habit helps you stay aware of traffic around you and catch any movement in your blind spots. Your mirrors should show you most of what's happening behind and beside you, but they don't eliminate blind spots entirely — you'll still need to turn your head slightly before changing lanes or merging.

If you notice a mirror has shifted during driving, adjust it again as soon as it's safe to do so — at a red light or when you're parked. Don't try to adjust a mirror while moving, because taking your attention off the road is dangerous.

Why mirror angle matters for safety

Mirrors angled too far inward show mostly your own car and very little of the road behind you. This creates a false sense of security — you think you can see what's there, but you're actually missing most of the traffic. Mirrors angled too far outward show more of the side lanes but less of what's directly behind you, which means you might not see a car that's slowing down in your lane.

The balanced position — where you see a thin edge of your car, the full lane behind you, and part of the adjacent lane — gives you the most useful view. This setup, combined with regular head checks, lets you see nearly everything around you before you change direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I adjust my mirrors differently if I'm taller or shorter than the last driver?

Yes. Mirror angle depends on where your eyes are positioned in the seat. If you're significantly taller or shorter than the previous driver, or if you sit closer to or farther from the steering wheel, your mirrors will need adjustment. Spend a minute setting them up before you drive.

What if my car has a convex or curved mirror?

Convex mirrors show a wider view but make objects look farther away than they actually are. Adjust them the same way — so you see a thin edge of your car, the road behind, and the side lane — but remember that a car in your mirror is closer than it appears. This is especially important when changing lanes.

Can I adjust my mirrors while I'm sitting in the passenger seat?

With manual mirrors, yes — you can reach across and use the lever. With electric mirrors, you'll need to select the mirror from the driver's door controls, so it's easier if the driver does it. If you're adjusting for yourself as a passenger, ask the driver to help or wait until you're in the driver's seat.

Do I need to adjust my mirrors if I'm only driving a short distance?

If someone else drove the car before you, yes. Even a short trip is safer with properly adjusted mirrors. It takes less than a minute and could prevent you from missing a vehicle in your blind spot.