You've probably seen them lying around the side of the road; someone's side view mirror. It's been knocked off and you realize the person who owns that vehicle now has lost an important safety feature. Having functional mirrors enhances your safety and that of drivers around you. They provide an extra set of eyes and help us to see our “blind spot”.
Because of the location of side mirrors, they can easily become damaged or broken. In these cases, it is incredibly important to have them promptly repaired or replaced for your safety and the safety of other drivers. Don't put this off.
Another issue is an outside mirror that can't easily be adjusted. Many newer vehicles have power mirrors. They're super convenient when they work but a real pain to adjust when they don't. There can be many things that break the adjustment mechanism: a switch can break, the power supply to the motor can go bad, a motor might fail. In those with manual mechanical adjustments, sometimes the linkage to an inside control can become corroded, frozen, or simply break. Sometimes it's stuck in a locked position, but it can also become so loose in its frame that it won't stay adjusted at all.
If the mirror will hold its position, a driver can often make an adjustment (with difficulty) by putting down the window and manually pushing the mirror into place. The problem comes when the mirror slips, or a different person drives the vehicle, and the mirror is in the wrong spot. This can be as unsafe as a broken mirror.
If you live where the weather gets cold enough to fog or ice your outside mirrors, you know how helpful mirror heaters can be. These, too, can break. They break by a broken switch, electrical supply, or heater. You can be driving blind if these heaters aren't working.
Outside rearview mirrors are something drivers depend on to safely operate their vehicles. The designers took great care to make sure they are easily adjustable and provide the driver with vital traffic position information. If you are having problems with your door mirrors, head over to Eureka Brake & Automotive to have them repaired. If it helps you avoid a major accident or even a tiny fender bender. The price will be well worth it!
PRO TIP!
How to adjust your mirrors properly:
- Sit in the driver's seat. Position yourself to comfortably access gear shift, brake pedal and accelerator.
- Adjust the rear view mirror to see directly out of the middle back windshield without moving your head.
- Locate levers or buttons to adjust side mirrors.
- Adjust side mirrors to ensure you can see the road behind you and a small sliver of the side of your vehicle.
- Once all mirrors are adjusted, sit in the driver’s seat and look in each mirror starting on the driver’s side. You should be able to view everything behind you in segments as you glance along.
Eureka Brake & Automotive
707.443.2122
Revised from content contributed by NAPA Service Assistant