Cars are not just about getting from point A to point B. They need to do this safely and with a dose of fun if you’re used to flooring the pedal. Safety does trump performance for most drivers, and basic features like functional brakes, headlights with decent brightness and mirrors for adequate visibility to the back of the vehicle will mean more to most people than an engine brimming with raw power.
For everyday driving tasks, these basic safety car parts help the most. You’ll be looking in the rearview and door mirrors when starting the car, merging or passing other vehicles and when backing up or pulling over. The first rearview mirrors came to be over a hundred years ago and were branded as “cop-spotters”.
As roads widened, and vehicles got bigger and faster, car manufacturers started offering side-view auto mirrors, first as an optional accessory and then as standard equipment. Today, mirrors have evolved to work with advanced safety systems like blind-spot monitoring and lane-watching, while additionally offering electrical adjustment, folding and heating functionality.
Basic Function of Car Mirrors
Mirrors raise safety by aiding visibility to the side and rear of the car. Rear-view mirrors mounted on the windscreen provide a clear view behind the vehicle and help drivers make informed decisions when merging, changing lanes and reversing. Most also have anti-glare and auto-dimming functions to prevent distractions from headlights in traffic behind you. For increased visibility and safety, side-view or door mirrors extend the field of view to remove possible blind spots, when viewing the sides of the car and what’s behind. And since convex glass is used, they’ll also have the warning that the objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.
When to Replace Your Mirrors?
Because functional mirrors mean a lower risk of accidents by removing blind spots, chipped, cracked and damaged mirrors need to be replaced promptly Most vehicles today also integrate turn signals into the side-view mirrors and busted lens covers or damage to bulbs hints to other dangers. Moreover, mirrors can sustain damage from weathering or have electrical or mechanical issues that prevent proper use. Replace your side mirrors if they:
- Obstruct your view to the rear of the vehicle – scratched, cracked to broken glass, mirror assemblies that hang out and those that cannot be adjusted to get the view you need are a safety hazard. While you may rely solely on the rear-view mirror, side mirrors give you a better understanding of what’s exactly behind you, and help avoid veering into fast-moving traffic or potential accidents with pedestrians and cyclists.
- Increase the risk of fines – traffic legislation clearly defines the use of side-view and rearview mirrors. If either doesn’t meet defined requirements, you risk getting a fine.
- Void insurance claims or bear liability – if your car has damaged mirrors and you’re involved in an accident, you risk invalidating insurance claims, or possibly incur injury or property damage liability if found at fault.
What to Look for in Replacements?
Depending on what you drive, mirrors can be direct OE replacements that ensure the exact fit, functionality and look of stock mirrors, or universal types that can be added to numerous makes or models while still adhering to road traffic rules. In both cases, you’ll want mirrors compatible with your vehicle, built to the same or higher standard than what came with the car, and don’t impede on basic functions like mechanical or electrical adjustment or forego necessities such as defrosting and defogging.
Custom mirrors in recent models also ensure vehicle safety functionality, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, collision avoidance systems and more. To get the right driver or passenger-side mirrors, here are a few useful tips:
- Check VIN and your vehicle specifications – going by your car’s vehicle identification number or VIN is the safest way to get mirrors that fit, are easy to install, and work as they should. This takes into account the production year, trim level and model specifics. Be wary that there are differences between mirrors for the same make, model and year largely due to trim levels that offer more adjustability, memory functions, auto-folding and integration with the safety systems mentioned above.
- Manual or power-adjusted mirrors? – Manually adjusted auto mirrors are becoming extinct, and you’ll find them in older cars and trucks. However, even these vehicles can use workarounds to install mirrors with electrical power adjustment and features like folding and heating. These are basic functions in new and recent models.
- Integrated turn signals – choose replacement auto mirrors with integrated turn signals if your car is equipped this way. The higher position of the integrated indicator informs other traffic or pedestrians of your intentions – either turning, merging or overtaking.
- Types with puddle function – lamps located under the mirror housing light up to help drivers avoid puddles, water, mud or potholes.
- Lastly, make certain that replacements adhere to the bodywork paint, are supplied with matching bases and mounting hardware, and don’t require additional work or modifications for a secure, clean fit.
