Do You Use Mirrors
 

Do you guys mainly use your mirrors when you're reversing or do you look over your shoulder?

My internship in accounting at the car dealership ended, but I made quite a few observations and one was: Salesmen, techs, and other guys who work at the dealership tend to just jump in the car and backup with their head looking forward at the mirrors.

James,I drive for a living and only ever use my mirrors when I'm reversing,can't see anything through the rear window of the Ranger anyway.Bear

I feel I have to when changing lanes. There's no way that I'm going to trust that the mirrors are adjusted perfect and that there aren't any blindspots.

Kuan

Kuan,what Jim is on about is do you rely on your mirrors for reversing manouveres (sp),or do you look through the side and rear windows.Right Jim?

Yes, Bear. I was amazed to see the guys on the lot just reverse using their mirrors. And Bear you're saying you reverse larger vehicles in tight areas and you're doing 10-20mph which is FAST to me.

I have experience driving big rigs. You only have the mirrors to go by with those. This habit transferrs to the cars as well. Not to mention that I cannot turn around far enough to look out the back window due to an old traffic accident injury.

I'm trying to think. Let's see, we're left hand drive over here. When I parralel park, I use the left mirror, but look over my right shoulder. When I back up, I always look over my right shoulder. When I backup and crank the wheel to the left, I rely on the right mirror to judge the rear right corner of the car. Yep, but I always have to look over my shoulder first though.

Kuan

I backed out of a parking lot using my mirror like I always do. A teenager in a honda prelude was backing out, with speed, from a spot behind me. In the time it took me to switch from my left mirror to my right one he was in my path and I bumped him. I could not see him in the center mirror. It was ruled a no fault but my advise is to look over your shoulder if you are in unfamiliar surroundings or in shopping mall parking lots:)

Jim,sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but it was 3:30am monday morning over here.I'll reverse at that speed in a straight line,which was your original message to me,not down twisting alleys though.Bear

I echo what Diesel Power said. In college I was a UPS driver, and all they have on the trucks are the side mirrors. They're all I use now for backing up and maneuvering tight spaces. Can't rely on the rear window, and why crank the neck all out of wack??

Only when I want to avoid small children and old ladys.