Anyone using the SAE recommended mirror settings?

MagicMatt

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I actually figured this out on my own about 5 years ago, and have been driving that way ever since. It didn't take long to get used to, and it completely eliminates your blind spot.
It does not completely eliminate your blind spot. It just changes the location of it.
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dick w

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Yes, for many years. Unlike 10th gen Civic, 5th gen CR-V R mirror will not go out far enough; shows lots of its own housing besides...
 

Lukifer

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It does not completely eliminate your blind spot. It just changes the location of it.
It eliminates the blind spot in the lane next you where other vehicles are and thats what i care about.
 
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BarracksSi

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I grew up without a right-side mirror. Y'all can bite me. :D

Just found a blind spot that I otherwise wouldn't have had.

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The problem is that I cannot see them. My center rear-view mirror is blocked by the cars behind me, and my right exterior rear-view mirror is angled too far over to see that far down the right lane, though it's primed for a clear vantage point of that area if I want it.

This is impossible to see this view, even when turning my head around... unless I lean really far right in my car and hope that I can catch that proper angle from my right rear-view mirror.
[clipped to focus on this]
Leaning to your right is how to check, yes. It's just like when you set the mirror in the first place.

I'd also say that, in a situation like you've described, it's not very safe to pull into the next lane unless you're at the back of the line. The drivers behind you will pull out as soon as they can see a space, and they can always see it better than you since they're in the back. (but that doesn't solve your mirror question)

I'm not stating this SAE-recommended method of changing your mirrors doesn't work, but my question is... why isn't this taught? Does this show up in the manuals? Do driver's ed teachers teach this? Does this show up on a permit/license test? Is there a reason this isn't the real norm and needs catching on or word-of-mouth to spread properly? It sounds like it's not a new, innovative practice and that it has been equipped for a long time.
I have no idea why it's not taught. Hell, I have no idea why a LOT of driving techniques aren't taught. In my area, I wish everyone would've been taught to not tailgate, at least. I also don't think the typical car's owner's manual mentions it because, as others have said, sometimes the right side mirror won't angle far enough outwards.

I can't remember if someone else taught it to me or I came up with it myself, but I've been using "the SAE method" since at least the 1990's. The reasoning I use is, if the side mirrors are showing the same things as the center mirror, they're missing a lot of useful information.

I don't lean my body to the sides to set them, though. I aim the center mirror square out the back, then I take note of what's visible at its left and right edges. Then, without leaning my body, I set the side mirrors to pick up where the center mirror can't see.

I saved a couple videos from an Ontario driving safety campaign featuring a BMW driving instructor:



In the second vid, Mr. Savoy starts with, "I hear already some people saying, 'What about my reference mark? I can't see the side of my own car!' Well, I got news for you: If the side of your own car is no longer following you, you've got bigger problems to worry about."

Another resource, a PDF at the (in)famous Click & Clack's website:
https://www.cartalk.com/sites/default/files/features/mirrors/CarTalkMirrors.pdf

Honda Civic 10th gen Anyone using the SAE recommended mirror settings? Screen Shot 2018-12-10 at 23.58.04
 

kwk1

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Re-adjusted my mirrors a few years ago. Hard to get used to, but I appreciate seeing cars in the rear-view mirror, then when they are almost out of the rear-view mirror, they appear in the side mirror. This way you always see part of the car. For me it eliminates any blind-spots and it hasn't let me down yet.
 


racer

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I admit, I really don't like the rear visibility out the Si compared to my old Jetta. That said, I have moved my mirrors to follow the SAE guideline and rearward visibility is much improved.. still getting used to it, but its much better than my old habits.
 

Gruber

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I like to adjust or tune the mirrors while driving on a straight, level piece of freeway with steady traffic. I let cars pass me on both sides and set mirrors so that they appear in the side mirrors as soon as they disappear from the rear view mirror. When they disappear from the side mirrors, they appear directly in my peripheral vision. I also set it rather low with minimum sky visible. (also I notice people tend to like to have a lot of nice blue sky in the mirrors.) When set accurately, I can then follow cars in both adjacent lanes from minus to plus infinity with no blind spots. If only there were no other cars on the road, and all roads were straight and flat, no one would ever be able to sneak up on me.....

In the situation described in the post above, when trying to escape into the right lane when stopped, either leaning out or the LaneView should help.

Like many others, I converted to this system after driving for long years with the mirrors adjusted the profane way, but I quickly embraced the truth. [John 8:32.]
 

DamonS

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This method sounds great.....until you hit a bike while trying to make a right-turn since this SAE method actually doesn't eliminate blind spots like you all are saying; instead it just moves them. Now, the blind spots are directly along side of your car. Someone could walk up from behind and attempt to carjack you and you'd never see them until they were at your window with a gun to your face.

Also, this makes lane-changing and paralell parking nearly impossible to do using the side mirrors.
This is where situational awareness comes into play. We are, after all flinging around literally tons of metal a little awareness of what's around you with regular checks of your mirrors and looking around you at all times, comes in really, really handy.

As a motorcyclist, this hyper-awareness has saved my rear better than a dozen times in the 30+ years on the road (accident free)
 

David Harper

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after reading this thread I changed my mirrors this morning. there's been more than once I almost changed lanes into the car next to me. I had them aimed too far inward. I felt like I had to see the side of my car in the mirror, but I now know that was wrong. This thread might turn out to keep me from getting into an accident.
 

CVTsport18

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Didn't know this was a thing. I won't be switching to it as I have no need to, but I'm glad it's working very well for so many.
 


AndreyL

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So I tried it, and with this set up I can’t see the lanesplitting bikers, so that’s a pass for me. I’ll stick to my spherical mirrors and the conventional set up.
 

nick94

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grumpyguy6

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This thread might turn out to keep me from getting into an accident.
That's great! As corny as this sounds, I was actually hoping that by sharing this information, it would make a difference!
 

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I have been using these mirrors ever since i started driving (2011ish). I had no idea about SAE etc, the reason i kept it like this is because a smaller change in angle would make big enough arc to increase the field of vision. I had always argued with everyone that this is helpful but they said, well you gotta see the back of your car and i was like WHY? are you that obsessed with your car's ass :p

anyway, now i have more concrete way to present my argument. thanks
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