Should convex mirrors be installed in car rearview mirrors?

Convex mirrors are one of the traffic safety solutions, installed on roads, especially curves, to help expand the driver's field of vision.

Nowadays, after buying a car, many people often add a pair of convex mirrors (also known as blind spot mirrors) to the two rearview mirrors to have a wider view. This accessory is also given away by some dealers to car buyers.

Advantages of convex car mirrors

The surface of a convex mirror is not flat like a rearview mirror but is slightly curved like a sphere. Thanks to this, the mirror has a wider reflection capacity.

Eliminate blind spots, expand vision

Convex mirrors attached to car rearview mirrors help drivers have a wider field of view than flat mirrors of the same area on the rearview mirror. Thanks to convex mirrors, drivers can see blind spots and limited corners that were previously invisible through the rearview mirror. Of which, the blind spots in the two rear quadrants of the car are the most dangerous.

Observation support

When installing a convex mirror, the field of vision is expanded, greatly supporting driving. Thanks to that, the driver can clearly see vehicles and obstacles in the blind spot behind, helping to minimize risks when driving.

Notes when installing convex mirrors for cars

For convex mirrors to be effective, they must be installed properly. Below are some issues to note when installing blind spot mirrors to avoid unwanted risks.

Convex mirror installation position

Convex mirrors are useful in eliminating blind spots that are missing from rearview mirrors, but not all car models are suitable for installation. Large cars (7 seats or more) often have large rearview mirrors, providing enough visibility for the driver, so installing additional convex mirrors is unnecessary.

For small 4-seater cars (vans, hatchbacks or sedans), the rearview mirrors are not too large, the car owner can add a convex mirror to help expand the field of view as well as eliminate blind spots for the driver.

The appropriate position for installing a convex mirror is below the rearview mirror. However, the convex mirror can also be mounted in any position on the rearview mirror for convenient observation according to each person's habits. The driver only needs to adjust the mirror's viewing angle to suit his or her viewing position.

Adjust side mirrors

Before installing a convex mirror, make sure the rearview mirror is adjusted to the correct position. In fact, the driver only needs to see a small part of the vehicle to be able to compare the distance to other vehicles participating in traffic.

Convex mirror size and shape

Convex mirrors come in many sizes and shapes, the most common being round. In addition, convex mirrors also come in oval, rectangular, etc. Choose a blind spot mirror that fits the shape and size of your car door.