[carriefmay]

I have a lot of trouble seeing traffic in the right lane when I am changing lanes. It seems as if there is a rather large blind spot on that side. I have adjusted my mirror to compensate as much as possible, but it makes me nervous that, especially for some lower riding cars, I am at the mercy of the mirror (I always have been one who trusts turning to the side and looking out the window). Does anyone else have this problem? Anything I can do? I think a contributing factor is that my rear-facing 13 month-old's carseat is in the middle row passenger's seat (outboard position, not center). Should I move her? The only real option would be to switch her with my almost 3 year old son b/c moving her to the middle NEXT to my son would present different hazards.

Thanks,
Carrie

 

[OddGrinch]

I noticed that I HAVE to use the mirror to look at the right side. I am very use to turning and looking and then just using the mirror as back up with a quick look.. not with the Ody.

My old Tercel didn't even have a right side mirror (that was extra $$

The side mirrors are great on the Ody.

 

[Steve Pert]

I have a car seat in the same position as yours and don't have a problem with a blind spot. There was a helpful post that I have read here on the best way to adjust outside mirrors. I don't know the exact forum area where I read it, but I bet a search would find them. Try the suggestion and see if you get rid of the blind spot.

 

[J R Jensen]

Carrie, The mirror adjustments for seeing autos in the next lanes are as follows: Set the rear view mirror so you see directly behind the van, lean over to your left with your head near the glass and set your driver's side mirror so you can just see the left side of the van, then lean over to your right in the seat and adjust the passenger side mirror until you can just see the side of the van. Now when you are seated behind the wheel you'll see the car behind you in the right lane in the rear view mirror and as he comes up along side you'll see it disappear from the rear view mirror and imeadiately you'll see it appear in the side mirror, thereby eliminating the blind spot. Works the same way on the drivers side. I've had the mirrors on all my cars set like this for years and it works great.

Good luck.

 

[adam1991]

I have to agree. I found this method (probably here) many months ago and have stuck with it, and I love it. This is how mirrors should be adjusted for driving.

I guess it would be nice if we could have big honking mirrors that would cover both the blind spots and the area right next to the car, but those would be huge mirrors.

 

[cmmeyers]

I don't notice visibility problems on the right side, but being 6'2" probably helps me out some.

I have to agree with the mirror adjusting posts. I'm willing to bet that most people don't have the right hand side mirror adjusted out far enough to help cut down on the blind spot.

 

[dgs]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by J R Jensen:
Carrie, The mirror adjustments for seeing autos in the next lanes are as follows: Set the rear view mirror so you see directly behind the van, lean over .... it works great.

Good luck.</font>

I posted the following a couple of days ago on the Yahoo Groups Odyssey Club. Like many people, I used to drive with my side mirrors adjusted so I could see the side of the van. That gave me a reference point, but big blind spots as well. When living in Detroit about 6 years ago I heard the following on the David Newman radio talk show from a listener. It’s the same concept as the others, but I would add that rather that leaning over and adjusting the mirrors, use the following procedure. You want to make sure that there is no ‘gap’ between what you see in the center mirror and what you see in the outside mirrors. Then you will get a true panorama and won't have 'holes' in it where a car can hide. If done right you can seriously reduce the amount of 'over the shoulder' looking required. I personally was involved in an accident where I turned to check my blind spot, and found traffic in front of me STOPPED when I turned back. Not fun, and I spent 3 weeks putting my car back together. Also, you can tilt the mirrors downward a bit more that is 'comfortable' so the horizon is closer to the top of the mirror and that will help with cars next to you. Here's the post:

Here's what you do. With the van parked look in your center (windshield) mirror. Find the object that you see in the LEFT most edge of the mirror (or back window) and adjust the LEFT outside mirror so that same object is at the RIGHT most edge of it. Now adjust your RIGHT outside mirror so that the object in the RIGHT most edge of the center mirror is in the LEFT most edge of it. You won't see any of your van in the out side mirrors, so it will take some getting used to, but you'll have a wide panoramic view of what's behind you. As a vehicle in the lane next to you, say to the left, approaches from the rear it will leave the center mirror and appear I the left mirror. When it leaves the left mirror, it will be right outside your left window.


------------------
D Schaefer
99 Odyssey EX
93 Escort LX
60 Thunderbird Conv.

[This message has been edited by dgs (edited 02-07-2002).]

 

[J R Jensen]

Carrie, If all of this leaning and adjusting has you a bit confused you might check at your local Walmart store and see if they still carry a mirror that sits on the top of your rear view mirror called the "lane changer". It allows you to see not only to the rear like your regular mirror but also about halfway up along both sides of your van. I have used this in the past and find it works great when driving in multilane traffic. I think I paid about $10 for it, and noticed that it was made in Canada.

 

[OddGrinch]

I misunderstood the original question/statement, but what I got from it was she was saying that she normally can see things just by turning her head. In the Ody you really have to rely on the mirror as just turning your head there are blind spots.

That's how I read it anyway. Didn't realize there was still a blind spot by looking through the mirror. Sorry my previous post was probably no help

As the above poster mentioned, I have heard those little round mirrors work great.

[This message has been edited by OddGrinch (edited 02-07-2002).]

 

[carriefmay]

Thanks, folks. I'll try the adjustment methods suggested. To answer the question, I believe I do still have a bit of a blind spot with the way my mirrors are adjusted. Not as much of one, but a tiny one. But the worst part is needing to rely on the mirrors (b/c I clearly cannot see low cars out the side window b/c of height and carseat location).

 

[odyssey_97]

Check out brookstone store. or try this webpage.

http://www.brookstone.com/shop/product.asp?product_code=142018&world_code=4&category_code=42&subcategory_code=614&search_type=subcategory#


we're using this rear view mirror for years.


------------------
Odyssey 97 LX 152,000 miles
Odyssey 02 EX Redrock Pearl

 

[kanadary]

Thanks for the mirror adjustment info. it works great and now i have my other cars adjusted the same way even though i can do shoulder checks in them and have no blind spots.

 

[99GGLX]

Further complications with the Ody. The tinted glass makes things much tougher when in low light conditions. I'm new to darkly tinted glass.

Visibility out the passenger side is worse with the "Winnie-the-Pooh" sunscreen our 2YO insisted upon. It is a pain to roll it up whenever the sun goes down.

Paul

 

[Ahzryn]

I found this forum when looking for accessory info, and have since found a ton of other useful info. But of all of it, this post has been INVALUABLE! I darn near merged with a little Nissan Z 3 days after getting the new van and almost stuck on those extra mirrors, but then i saw this, adjusted the mirrors, and it works unbelievably well!

My husband thought I was nuts, but now he swears by it too. And like another poster said, I immediately fixed our other vehicle too, even though a shoulder check is effective in it.

Thank you thank you thank you! Maybe this method should be a sticky post or a FAQ so it is always visible? Wish they had explained this method in drivers ed all those years ago!

Tammy

 

[mark_raymund]

effective use of side mirros

Here's what I have from way back 2001.

See attached files below.

 

[JoolsTAG]

I just want to tell you guys that I'll have to report this to my mom. She's been driving with the mirrors adjusted like that for 30 years, and has suffered everyone who drives her car complaining at her, but she sticks by it. I'll have to tell her there are other brilliant folks in the world who have it figured out too....as soon as I go adjust my own mirrors, lol.

Julie
CPS Tech Ody Owner with a Super Elite, Marathon, and two Bodyguards...all currently in the van...the kids love being able to sit in any darn seat they please

 

[Wyeast]

My first car ('68 Chevelle) had a HUGE blind spot because of the fat rear (C) pillar. Between that and the passenger mirror (courtesy of a U-Pull-It Junkyard) that was not convex, I've always driven with the mirrors pointed right at the blind spots. If I see headlights in 'em, I don't switch lanes. On some cars this means there's a small gap at night when the headlights disappear from the rear view mirror and they show up in the passenger mirror. I got used to shifting my head a little to sweep the rest of the blind spot.

My wife doesn't understand why I do that, either.

Ironically, when I took my driving test in that Chevelle, I got docked a point for not looking over my shoulder when I switched lanes. The instructor wasn't sympathetic when I explained that looking that way could hide a motorcycle behind the pillar. :stupid:

--> Andy

 

[abhair]

Rear Visibility

I agree with the method of adjusting the left mirror by leaning on the window. I got this from Click and Clack Public Radio show on Saturday morning. However, in addition I purchase a stick on 3" panoramic mirrow from an auto parts store with each new vehicle and have learned to depend on them. They are only about $2.00.

 

[CPSDarren]

I have a similar, square wide angle blind spot mirror that I attached to the driver's side mirror.

I'm also using a LaneChanger Plus and Rearguard Lens . These are a little more expensive, but both seem useful. The trio was under $50.

 

[egads]

The correct mirror positioning instructions are available on Click and Clacks website: www.cartalk.com