All You Need To Know About Car Rear View Mirror

Rear view mirror is present in every car to assist the driver by showing the view out of the rear window of the road behind. These mirrors help in safe manoeuvring of the vehicle of the road by assisting in lane changing and giving a wider look of the car’s vicinity. Rear view mirrors also assist while reversing the car, although many modern-day vehicles come with a rear parking cameras and sensors. These mirrors are a big safety feature while driving on busy roads and congested traffic. They also help to avoid accidents while opening the door to get out of the car as the driver can see what’s coming from behind and take proper action.

Rear view mirror is located on the upper part of the windshield inside the vehicle, between the driver and the passenger besides, and above the central control system.

The rear-view mirror is usually present at the top of the windshield inside the cabin and allows the driver to see rearwards. This device is a basic attachment but is one of the most important safety components in the car. It provides assistance while you are overtaking, parking, and reversing. Interior rear-view mirror is mostly accompanied by two side mirrors attached on either side of the door. These side mirrors go by the professional name of Outer Rear View Mirror or ORVM serving the same purpose as the interior rear-view mirror, thus providing extended viewing angles. The rear-view mirror is held to the windshield by an anchor and a special joint called ‘swivel’ joint. This joint allows the driver to adjust the mirror position in accordance with the driver’s sitting position. Rear-view mirrors are made from convex mirrors rather than pain mirrors because convex mirrors tend to show a wider area and makes the rear objects look closer than they really are, so that the driver can make necessary adjustments.

Following are the prime functions of the rear-view mirrors:

• Absorption of light to avoid any glare while driving, especially at night.
• Interference of light so that the light waves can form an image on the convex mirror.
• Reflection of light to enable the objects coming from behind to be seen.
• Transmission of light to avoid direct reach to driver’s eyes.

The prime function of the rear-view mirror is to reflect the view of the behind and help determine if it is safe to change lanes, reverse or open the door to exit the vehicle. Thus, rear-view mirror is an important safety feature for the car.

To prevent the light from reflecting in your eyes, most of the mirrors come with an auto dimming function which again adds to the safety as it keeps the sun and the bright headlights for blind you while driving.

On very rare occasions, the rear-view mirror may need replacement and it is an interior component and hardly malfunctions. However, some of the faulty symptoms of rear-view mirrors are mentioned below that might need due consideration.

1. Auto Dimming Not Working - The auto dimming function usually malfunctions due to the sensors not working. Check for the sensors at the back of the mirror and clean them properly. Using a flashlight, check if the sensors dim the mirror or not. If not, you might need to replace the mirror or the sensors.
2. Discoloration - The mirror can get discoloured over a prolonged period of the time from exposure to sun, temperature differences and other debris. The first step is to clean the mirror without scratching it. If the discoloration is still present, you might need to replace the mirror with a new one.
3. Rear View Mirror Absent - There can be a case where the mirror has come off from its joint or is broken on impact. In these cases, immediate replacement is in order. In many countries, you can’t even drive the vehicle without having a rear-view mirror installed as it is a serious road safety hazard.

It is important to keep an eye out for other drivers and to know what they are doing on the road. This helps to keep yourself safe while driving and also assists in changing lanes. Thus, one must know how to properly use the rear-view mirror. Following are the steps to know how to use the rear-view mirror.

• Adjust the driver’s seat to sit in correct position and posture for driving. For this, move your seat front and back to get the adjustment right. One must comfortable reach the brake, clutch and acceleration pedal and at the same time have a clear view from the windshield.
• Buckle the seatbelt before adjusting the mirror as there can be a difference in sitting position.
• Next, adjust the rear-view mirror. Move the mirror in correct position so that you can clearly see through the rear windshield. The road must be clearly visible and also the traffic. Also adjust the side mirrors for increased area of vision.
• Never adjust the mirror while driving and always stop the vehicle first. This will prevent accidents and collisions.
• Keep checking the mirror on regular basis for loose screws and joints. Replace the faulty mirror, if found, immediately.
• Rear-view mirrors can be used for lane changing, parking, reversing the car and when being cautious opening the door to exit the vehicle on heavy traffic roads preventing collisions.
• Check for tight corners while parking or reversing to avoid collisions. This is very helpful in close corner situations.
• Always check the rear-view mirror before braking. This is because if the rear vehicle is too close to your vehicle and you are not cautious, the vehicle may ram into your car.

If you want to repair your Rear-View Mirror all by yourself, then let’s face it that you will need some auto body tools. You can always start by building your own tool chest. Searching for some tools needed to repair your Rear-View Mirror Don’t Worry! We are here to help you out. Here are some common tools that you will probably end up needing while repairing your Rear View Mirror.

• Allen wrench set
• Clear silicone
• Crosstip screwdriver
• Disposable gloves
• Electrical cleaner
• Flat tip screwdriver
• Permanent marker
• Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
• Torque bit set
• Wheel chocks

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We believe that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. So why not learn more about the associated parts of the car Rear View Mirror?

• Interior Mirror

The rear-view mirrors were designed to see what’s behind the car, helping drivers to make practical, correct and safe decisions. The size of the mirror may vary depending and the make and model and come in a variety of styles like standard DOT, wide DOT, wide with deflector DOT, custom symbol cut, custom cab fit (fits all the way across the cab), wide bus DOT, and electric DOT.

The mirrors having the rating DOT (Department of Transportation) are certified for vehicle use at all times and are installed by the manufacturer for safety. Other mirrors that are not DOT certified may interfere with the driver's vision and hamper safety. Electric DOT rear view mirrors are adjustable by a switch or knob and some mirrors may also have a clock, radio tuning buttons, and temperature indicators.

Following are the steps to change the rear-view mirror in case of any fault or malfunction:

Part 1 Of 3: Verifying Door Mirror Condition

Step 1

Locate the mirror and find any external damages. Also check if the mirror is loose and not moving properly by its joint and housing.

Step 2

If you have an electronic rear-view mirror, push the switch and see if all the electronic functions work or not. Also check if the button works for showing the correct time, temperature, etc.

Part 2 Of 3: Replacing Rear-View Mirror

Step 1

Park the vehicle on a flat surface, engage the parking brakes and place the wheel chocks to lock the rear tires.

Step 2

Disconnect the car battery by removing the negative terminal from it to avoid any damage to sensors in electronic rear-view mirrors.

Step 3

Dismount the mirror from its place on the windshield by removing the mounting screws from the housing.

Step 4

Remove the harness plug and with the help of an electrical cleaner, clean the harness and remove the dust and moisture.

Step 5

Remove the mounting plate using a blow dryer or a heat gun to loosen the adhesive. Mark the position of the mirror and the mounts before removing them completely using a permanent marker.

Step 6

Remove the excess adhesive from the surface using a razor scraper. Leave the mounting plate inside the bracket on the mirror and remove the adhesive.

Step 7

Using a clean cloth and isopropyl alcohol, clean the mirror glass properly to remove all the impurities. Wait for the alcohol to evaporate before going to the next step.

Step 8

Unscrew the mirror from the housing and remove the gasket, if any. Ally the adhesive on to the mounting plate on the glass area, where you marked it earlier. Press gently and remove any air bubbles for proper installation.

Step 9

Place the mirror on the mounting plate and put the mounting screws in place and tighten them with hands.

Step 10

Reinstall the harness on to the mirror plugs and make sure they lock click in place. Tighten the bolts and screws properly.

Step 11

Reconnect the negative battery terminal onto the battery and ensure proper connection.

Part 3 Of 3: Testing The Rear View Mirror

Step 1

After installing the new mirror, move the mirror in all directions to ensure proper joint movement. Also see if the adjusting switch is responding correctly.

Step 2

Push the button and see if all the electrical displays are working properly or not (in case of electronic rear-view mirrors).