Vehicle Controls and Ergonomics
How to Adjust Your Mirrors to Genuinely Minimize Blind Spots
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
Properly adjusted mirrors should show a small overlap with the edge of your own vehicle in the side mirrors and minimal overlap with the rearview mirror, which reduces blind spots compared with the narrower, overlapping setup many drivers default to.
Most drivers set their mirrors to show as much of their own vehicle as possible, which actually creates larger blind spots than a slightly wider setup would.
The Common Mistake
Angling side mirrors to show a large portion of your own car’s side panel duplicates what the rearview mirror already shows, leaving a wider blind spot to either side.
A Better Setup
Adjusting side mirrors outward until just the edge of the vehicle is visible extends coverage further around the sides, complementing the coverage provided by blind spot mirrors.
Pairing This With Good Posture
This adjustment only works reliably if paired with the seating position covered in our guide to correct posture, since shifting position afterward changes what the mirrors actually show.