Help with Mirror

sandy741 · 08-08-2009, 06:18 PM

The 370Z belongs to my wife (long story), however she is having trouble with blind spots when driving and backing. Are there any mirrors on the market which may help her? She is short so the seat if forward.
Thanks, Sandy

spearfish25 · 08-08-2009, 06:31 PM

There isn't much that's going to help. It's more about setting up the car's mirrors to maximize your view and minimize the blind spots. For example, the side mirrors should be adjusted quite far outwards so you can see the lane you would be merging into. If they are in the correct spot, you would not be able to see a car directly behind you (in your lane) if you look in the side mirror.

Here is a test to know when you have the mirrors ideally positioned. Watch a car approach in a lane adjacent to yours in the center rear-view mirror. As the car overtakes, you should be able to watch it smoothly transition from the center rear mirror into the appropriate side mirror with as little 'gap' or blindspot as possible. I have mine set up so that there is always some overlap and I never lose the car completely (I can always see it in one mirror or the other). It's doable, you just have to play with it.

As for backing up...it's just a craps shoot. Go slow, lean forwards and backwards, honk the horn...do whatever. There isn't much that will help mirror-wise.

Some people use the stick-on convex mirrors to assist with blind spots. I find them painfully small and they take up valuable mirror space on the side-mirrors that I'd rather be using. If you use the method I described above, stickie mirrors aren't necessary.

Let me know if this helps.

dad · 08-08-2009, 06:37 PM

Also, a sticky on the passenger side mirror, the images are way to small for accurate judgment.

Trips · 08-08-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

There isn't much that's going to help. It's more about setting up the car's mirrors to maximize your view and minimize the blind spots. For example, the side mirrors should be adjusted quite far outwards so you can see the lane you would be merging into. If they are in the correct spot, you would not be able to see a car directly behind you (in your lane) if you look in the side mirror.

Here is a test to know when you have the mirrors ideally positioned. Watch a car approach in a lane adjacent to yours in the center rear-view mirror. As the car overtakes, you should be able to watch it smoothly transition from the center rear mirror into the appropriate side mirror with as little 'gap' or blindspot as possible. I have mine set up so that there is always some overlap and I never lose the car completely (I can always see it in one mirror or the other). It's doable, you just have to play with it.

As for backing up...it's just a craps shoot. Go slow, lean forwards and backwards, honk the horn...do whatever. There isn't much that will help mirror-wise.

Some people use the stick-on convex mirrors to assist with blind spots. I find them painfully small and they take up valuable mirror space on the side-mirrors that I'd rather be using. If you use the method I described above, stickie mirrors aren't necessary.

Let me know if this helps.

Backup slowly and I mean slowly if someone comes from behind they'll honk and drive around you or stop to let you back out.

08-08-2009, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
sandy741 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Little Rock, Ark Posts: 4 Drives: 370Z Red Manual Rep Power: 16	Help with Mirror The 370Z belongs to my wife (long story), however she is having trouble with blind spots when driving and backing. Are there any mirrors on the market which may help her? She is short so the seat if forward. Thanks, Sandy

08-08-2009, 06:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Also, a sticky on the passenger side mirror, the images are way to small for accurate judgment. __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

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08-08-2009, 06:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	There isn't much that's going to help. It's more about setting up the car's mirrors to maximize your view and minimize the blind spots. For example, the side mirrors should be adjusted quite far outwards so you can see the lane you would be merging into. If they are in the correct spot, you would not be able to see a car directly behind you (in your lane) if you look in the side mirror. Here is a test to know when you have the mirrors ideally positioned. Watch a car approach in a lane adjacent to yours in the center rear-view mirror. As the car overtakes, you should be able to watch it smoothly transition from the center rear mirror into the appropriate side mirror with as little 'gap' or blindspot as possible. I have mine set up so that there is always some overlap and I never lose the car completely (I can always see it in one mirror or the other). It's doable, you just have to play with it. As for backing up...it's just a craps shoot. Go slow, lean forwards and backwards, honk the horn...do whatever. There isn't much that will help mirror-wise. Some people use the stick-on convex mirrors to assist with blind spots. I find them painfully small and they take up valuable mirror space on the side-mirrors that I'd rather be using. If you use the method I described above, stickie mirrors aren't necessary. Let me know if this helps.