The key to properly using car mirrors lies in "correct adjustment, frequent scanning, and turning your head." Each of the three mirrors has a specific role, yet physical head checks remain necessary to cover blind spots.
Interior Rearview Mirror (Center): Adjust while seated upright so the mirror fully frames the rear window with the horizon centered; the left edge of the mirror should just align with your right ear. Scan every 5–8 seconds and always check before changing lanes or braking to gauge the distance and behavior of vehicles directly behind you.
Left Exterior Mirror: Position so your vehicle's body occupies about one-quarter of the mirror and the horizon is centered (sky-to-ground ratio ≈ 1:1). Adjust until a tiny portion of the left rear wheel or the edge of the vehicle's flank is visible; focus on monitoring traffic in the lane to your rear-left.
Right Exterior Mirror: Position so your vehicle's body occupies about one-quarter of the mirror and the horizon is at the upper two-thirds mark (showing more of the road surface). Because the angle is further away, include more of the road surface in the view to help monitor the shoulder, e-bikes, and your target lane.
Usage Sequence: Before changing lanes or turning, follow this order: "Interior mirror → Side mirror → Quick head check for blind spots → Signal for at least 3 seconds → Execute maneuver." Never rely solely on mirrors; physically turning your head is the gold standard for eliminating rear-side blind spots.
Daily Habits: Adjust your seat before adjusting the mirrors every time you get in the car; keep mirror surfaces clean; activate anti-glare or heating functions on rainy nights; look further ahead on highways, but tilt mirrors slightly downward in the city to monitor closer traffic; if your car lacks an automatic tilt-down feature when reversing, do not permanently tilt the side mirrors down, as this will compromise your driving visibility.