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What are mandatory rear-view mirrors and how do you adjust them
In most countries, it is mandatory for vehicles to have at least two mirrors: a rear-view mirror and two side/wing mirrors (one on the driver's side and one on the passenger's side). These mirrors are important to enable the driver to see behind and to the side of the vehicle, which is essential for safe driving.
It is important to note that the exact requirements for which car mirrors are mandatory may vary by country or region. Some countries may have different mirror requirements for different types of vehicles, such as buses or large lorries. It is always a good idea to check the local regulations to ensure that your vehicle is equipped with the required mirrors, for example, a Ford Fiesta wing mirror.
Automatically dimming mirrors
When driving at night, the headlights of following vehicles can dazzle in the rear-view mirror – but there’s a remedy. With a flick of the wrist, the mirror can be tilted into a different position so that only part of the light is reflected and you can still see what is happening behind you. Automatically dimming interior mirrors are even more convenient. They provide more safety without the driver having to do anything.
Two photo sensors built into the mirror measure the light incidence, i.e. the difference in brightness between the road ahead and the road the car. If the amount of light coming from behind is greater than that coming from the front, the mirror is automatically dimmed. To do this, the mirror has a special coating on the glass. It contains electrolytes made up of uniform crystals, similar to an LCD display on a television or mobile phone. When a voltage is applied to this coating, the crystals align themselves at a certain angle. This results in an instantaneous dimming effect and, depending on the incidence of light and sensor measurement, a variable dimming effect. The driver's hands remain on the steering wheel, while the mirror immediately darkens and the headlights of oncoming vehicles are no longer dazzling.
Panoramic mirrors
A panoramic mirror is a type of interior rear-view mirror that provides a wider field of view than a traditional rear mirror. In a traditional one, the driver can only see what is directly behind the vehicle. However, the panoramic type is designed to provide a wider field of vision, allowing the driver to see more of the road behind them. This is achieved by using a convex or curved surface, which bends the light and provides a wider view. Panoramic mirrors are often used in larger vehicles, such as SUVs and minivans, to help the driver see more of the road and avoid blind spots. They can also be useful for drivers who have difficulty turning their heads to look behind them.
Adjusting the mirrors
If you are driving someone else's car such as a Ford Fiesta, there are two important adjustments you need to make before you start: the first is to adjust the seat, and the second is to adjust the mirrors. Adjust the car wing mirrors so that you can still see a small part of your car in them when you are sitting normally and looking straight ahead. The horizon line should be slightly above the centre of the mirrors on a flat road. With the seat and head in the normal position, you should adjust the interior rear-view mirror so that you can see exactly in the centre of the rear. Vertically, the rear-view mirror should be tilted so that as much as possible of the traffic behind you and as little as possible of your own car interior can be seen.
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