Auto Parts Today: Rear/Side View Mirrors

Auto Parts -- Safety is a Primary Consideration

Rear and side view mirrors are indispensable pieces of safety equipment. If your mirrors are not set right—or worse, are broken or missing—you are minus a lot of your necessary visual field. Your safety depends on mirrors and your life (and the lives of your passengers) depends on your safety!

It used to be that only one side view mirror was required for cars and the hearing impaired were required to have two, one on each side of the car. Realizing the advantage of having two side mirrors, they became standard equipment for all cars. Today’s cars not only have mirrors on both sides, but most of them are adjusted electronically from the inside of the car, and many have turn signals built into them for easier visibility by the driver and other motorists.

The Practical Use of Rear and Side View Mirrors

Rear and side view mirrors should be kept clean to maintain your all-around vision. Dirty or occluded mirrors are not much different than nonexistent mirrors and are dangerous. Side mirrors, because they are outside, are also subject to icing, snow buildup, and fogging. Try using products that sheet moisture off glass surfaces, like Rain-x, to keep the surfaces clear without having to reach over and wipe them.

Auto Parts -- Replacing Mirrors

If your mirrors need replaced, you can usually buy new ones at your local auto parts store and install them yourself. Often if the side view mirrors have turn signals built in you may have to have an expert technician install them, but it shouldn’t take long. The rear view mirror can usually be replaced with some simple adhesive designed for that purpose—just make sure you only use the adhesive that’s recommended. Any other adhesive could be a big mistake.

Remember to keep the mirrors in good repair as well. If they are electronic and the electronic components aren’t working, have them repaired immediately. Not having them properly aligned is a safety hazard, but moving them by hand could damage the internal workings. For best safety, keep them free of dirt, ice, snow, and fog.

Remember that your read and side view mirrors are your key to 360 vision. Take care of them and they will take care of you.