steffen

I've had a tough time adjusting to the limited visibility when changing lanes with my C230. But then I listened to Car Talk this weekend where they give some help on mirror positions.

It turns out, the best position for the left hand mirror is obtained by putting your head against the left side window, then adjusting the mirror so you can just see the side of the car.

For the right hand side mirror, you lean right as far as you can, then adjust the mirror again to just see the side of the car from that angle.

I tried it out and low and behold - no more blind spots! I tried it out while slowly passing people on the freeway and it really works! And I no longer need to crane my neck! I thought I'd pass on this tip.

I've been driving for over 20 years without this vital piece of info....

CitronC230K_03

i read that in a post while back. ive never tried it but i hear it really works. personally i like the split mirrors. those are something i cant live without. this will be my 2nd car with them. i love em! maybe i should have tried the head on the window trick, would have saved me a few $$$.

C230K

This cheap mirror mod helps.

truelove

okay, i've read a few articles and i'm confused. when you move your head to either side and do the adjust, should you only be able to see the side of your car and nothing else, or should you just barely be able to see the side of your car with the street taking up the rest of the view. it's a wording issue that's confusing me. i think it's the latter that's correct.

EDIT: nevermind, i found an illustration. it is the latter.

Jerry MB230K

I readjusted my mirrors, and it works ! The driver side mirror is tilted outward and I wouldn't have normally done it that way, but I followed the directions above, and it works !

Lynn

There is an easier way to accomplish the mirror adustment. Adjust the interior to your preferred setting. Note what you can see at the extreme right of the mirror. Now adjust the right side mirror so that what you see at the extreme left of that mirror is the same as what you see at the extreme right of the interior mirror. Use the same procedure for the left mirror.

VoyagerDude

I've learned about this way of adjusting mirrors on this site and have used it ever since. Works very well.

dwang

Just get a set of Euro spec mirrors from Steve... The euro spec mirrors are aspheric on both sides and totally eliminates blind spots. I can see even traffic on my left side from my right side mirror!!! It a cheap, but very effective mod.


Dave

session

Simply moving your mirrors is just as effective and is cheaper.

I've used the technique described in the first post for a couple of months now and I barely even turn my head anymore.

dwang

Yeah, but that takes out all the fun of modding your car...


Dave

truelove

i adjusted my mirrors this weekend too. it's great. there is no reason to do anything but just glance at the mirrors now. if you watch a car approach from behind, you can easily see it's transition from the rear-view mirror to the side mirror to being in plain view of your eyeballs with NO (and i mean NO) blindspots at all. most people think that the side-view mirrors are supposed to be adjusted so you can see behind you with them. but that's what the rear-view mirror is for.

mrkrichie

I just adjusted my mirrors tonight. The right side is fine, very easy for me to change lanes now. But the left side will take some getting used to.

spacetrain

Just a note: even throught adjusting the optimal mirror position, and eliminating the blind spot, I think you still have to turn your head just to see if there are any cars on the 'other' lane that is planning on moving over to the lane next to you. The mirror pretty much only covers the left and right lane on your sides. Just a safty reminder...

yodlebenz

it took me a couple of days to get used to, but its awesome.
no blind spots at all. I can just look in the mirror and know i'm seeing everything there. THANKS FOR THE TIP!

MB-BOB

Here is a similar thread about "autobahn mirrors," which can be added to fill any areas where people want extra assurance. There are two pictures of these... mine is in the last post...

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...tobahn+mirrors

I agree with spacetrain, however. None of these mirrors will keep you from swapping paint with a car two lanes over as he pulls right while you move left into a center lane. Drive your car like a WWII fighter pilot... "head on the swivel." Hundreds of stories abound about pilots who relied on their c0ckpit frame mirrors, only to be killed by their enemies behind.

truelove

yup, i've gotten into the habit (beaten into my head from drivers ed all those years ago) to look over my shoulder before changing lanes. it seems strange to me now to just go using only my mirrors.

MB-BOB

Not to beat a dead horse, but look at it this way. If you have an accident deemed your fault by the officer filing the report and decide to take it to court and tell the judge, "But your honor, I didn't see him in my mirror..." what do you think he'll do?

I figure if I get too lazy to swivel my head, I'm too old to drive and should turn in my license.