What is the main purpose of a rear view mirror?

Your car’s rear-view mirror serves a multitude of purposes that help keep you safe as a driver. The rear-view mirror promotes an alert driving experience by allowing you to see behind your vehicle without turning your head. By checking the rear-view mirror, you can monitor traffic and prepare for any potential dangers. It’s also helpful with parking as it gives a clear line of sight to the sides and rear of the vehicle. The rear-view mirror is a great asset when backing into a parking space, parallel parking, and exiting a parking space.

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Rear View Mirror:
Types of rear view mirror that modern cars popularly employ :
What is the purpose of rear view mirror?
What should you see in rear view mirror?

All mirrors serve an essential function, and while it may seem like common sense, it’s best to educate yourself on how to use the mirrors before driving effectively. Before you begin a trip, check all of your mirrors, and adjust them accordingly. Most people attempt to adjust their rear-view mirror or their side mirrors while driving; this can prove to be distracting and dangerous. Take time to understand your specific vehicle’s best mirror positioning in reference to how you’re sitting. Once your mirrors are adjusted, it’s essential to make sure they’re clean. Dirty mirrors can limit visibility and response time. Don’t hesitate to run your car through a quick drive-thru car wash before starting your commute.

The rear-view mirror’s role is to ensure your safety on the road and the safety of other drivers as well. While driving, it’s important to quickly check all mirrors before making any sudden stops, switching lanes, turning, or accelerating. Most driving instructors suggest checking your mirrors every five to eight seconds with a glance. A glance does not mean studying the mirrors, but more along the lines of a quick check. It’s important not to stare off into your rear-view mirror as you can miss hazards in front of you. Checking your mirrors frequently gives you an adequate mental map of what’s happening on the road. From moments if there’s a vehicle about to hit you from the rear or an item falling off of a truck, mirror checking keeps you prepared.

The first step when driving is always to learn the laws of the road and prepare your vehicle in advance. When used with authority, a well-adjusted rear-view mirror makes for a safer driving experience. While your safe driving isn’t always enough to prevent an accident, staying prepared and aware can potentially minimize the damage or injuries. Your rear-view mirror is a tool, and its helpfulness has been proven effective for decades. All mirrors should be clean and checked frequently. If you’re ever in doubt with their placement or functionality, consult a professional automotive technician for advice.

Rear View Mirror:

Rear view mirror is a device that allows the driver to see rearward. It usually finds its place at the top of windscreen inside the cabin. This device is one of the most basic but essential safety devices in the vehicle. It provides assistance to the driver during overtaking, parking in reverse gear etc. Generally, vehicles also have a pair of mirrors attached to the body from outside. They are popular as ‘side mirrors’ or Outer Rear View Mirrors (ORVM) which serve the same purpose.

An anchor holds the rear view mirror to the windscreen with a special type of joint called ‘swivel’ joint. It allows the driver to adjust the mirror according to his/her seating position. Nowadays, manufacturers make mirrors by using convex lens compared to the plain glass used previously. Use of convex lens has substantially increased the capacity of mirrors to grasp the distant images.

However, the objects in the rearview mirror are closer than they actually appear. This is because the convex lens projects smaller images of the objects. Hence, manufacturers print a warning message on the rearview mirror which reads ‘objects in the rearview mirror are closer than they appear.’ Therefore, to avoid accidents, car rear view mirrors carry this warning message.

Types of rear view mirror that modern cars popularly employ :

Anti-glare mirrors: They are also known as ‘Day/Night’ mirrors. You can operate them in two positions i.e. during the day and during the night; hence, the name. So, this could considerably reduce the reflected light beam entering the eyes of the driver. Their wedge shape i.e. slightly triangular shape bestows this property upon them.

Automatic dimming mirrors: These are the advanced type of mirrors which use sophisticated electronic components to reduce the intensity of bright light falling on them. They work on the principle of electrochromism.

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CarBikeTech is a technical blog in the automobile field. It regularly publishes specific technical articles on automotive technology.

What is the purpose of rear view mirror?

The rear-view mirror promotes an alert driving experience by allowing you to see behind your vehicle without turning your head. By checking the rear-view mirror, you can monitor traffic and prepare for any potential dangers.

What should you see in rear view mirror?

The rearview mirror should show you the full view out the back window, not the rear seat, and be angled to display between the pillars on either side of the rear window. The side mirrors should be set to show you the view alongside on either side.