When you sit yourself in your Land Rover or Jaguar, one of the first things you are likely to do is check the mirrors and adjust them if necessary. For experienced drivers, it’s almost second nature; for a new driver, it’s often forgotten. So, in this blog, we thought we’d go through how you position your wing mirrors for the safest driving experience on UK roads.
Why is mirror position important?
Having your mirrors – both side and rear view – positioned correctly is essential for the safest driving experience on the road. With mirrors adjusted correctly, you’ll have maximum visibility of what is behind you and at the sides. With an obscured view, vehicles attempting to overtake you may not be seen until it is too late, resulting in accidents and expensive repairs.
Having your mirrors in the correct position minimises the potential for such accidents and helps reduce the likelihood of costly fixes.
How to adjust the right wing mirror
When adjusting the right wing mirror in your Land Rover, sit in the driver’s seat and adjust the seat and steering wheel to your preferred position. This is an important first step. Doing things the other way round will leave you with a limited view and only mean you’ll have to make further adjustments.
With your seat adjusted to the correct position, you’ll be able to adjust the mirrors either manually or electrically. This will depend on the model of your vehicle.
Adjust the mirror so you can only see a small section of the vehicle, but ensure there is a clear view of the road and any traffic behind you.
You’ll then need to alter the angle. Align the mirror so the horizon is central. This should now see the right wing mirror positioned correctly. It’s perhaps one of the most important steps, as the right mirror is the one you rely on for overtaking, joining motorways and dual carriageways and setting off.
How to adjust the left wing mirror
To adjust the left mirror, remain seated in the driver’s seat, ensuring it is still in your optimal driving position. If you have automatic controls, this may be quite easy; manual controls can be trickier. If you can, ask someone to sit in the passenger seat. They can make the adjustments per your instructions, setting them in the exact position you need. If you don’t have someone to help you, make the adjustments gradually so you can return to your driving position and see what changes may be needed.
Just like with the right side, adjust the left wing mirror until you can only see part of the vehicle and have a good view of the road. Angle-wise, you need the left mirror to be a little lower than the right mirror. This makes it much easier to see the kerb, giving you a better chance of pulling over or performing a complex manoeuvre without denting your Land Rover or hitting any other vehicles or obstructions.
What about the rear-view mirror?
The rear-view mirror plays an important role in safe driving, so it’s just as important to adjust this as it is the wing mirrors. Sit in your driving seat with the seat in its correct position. Adjust the mirror so you can see all of the rear window with just the smallest amount of the interior visible. That’s it!
How can I see the blind spot in my wing mirrors?
The blind spot is the area around your car that you cannot see through your mirrors or windscreen. These can be small, but they can also be huge, depending on the vehicle you drive. Luckily, many Land Rovers come equipped with Blind Spot Assist. At present, you’ll find it on the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Discovery. Just note, it comes as standard with some vehicles but is an optional add-on with others.
Blind Spot Assist is a safety feature that alerts drivers to vehicles in their blind spot. It uses a warning light in the wing mirror to inform drivers of a presence in the blind spot. Audible alerts can also be activated so that, if turning, and a vehicle appears in the blind spot, an alarm will sound to indicate to drivers the potential hazard. It also comes equipped with steering correction, which gently guides you away from the unsighted vehicle. Drivers should remain aware that this system does not mean wing mirrors can be forgotten about; they are still essential. It is also possible for the system to be affected by external factors such as rain or dirt, meaning a driver still needs to be in control and not put their faith purely in the technology.
For vehicles not equipped with this system, blind spot mirrors can be attached to help enhance road safety. These may be stick-on or clip-on, and should only be applied when the car is stationary, preferably on your driveway. Follow the exact guidance for the blind spot mirror you choose and adjust your wing mirrors accordingly.
When should I adjust my wing mirrors?
Every time you get in your vehicle, you should check the mirrors before setting off. Even if you are the only driver, and it’s unlikely they have been adjusted, still check them.
If, whilst driving, you notice your mirrors don’t look right, pull over safely before making any adjustments. Attempting a quick fix whilst moving could compromise the safety of you and other road users.
Occasionally, you may drive another person’s car. Regardless of how far you drive in it, adjust the mirrors to your requirements. They can always move them back to their original position later.
Wing mirrors are just one of many safety features you need to consider on your Land Rover. At RCV, we help make your Land Rover safe with our comprehensive Land Rover services, MOTs and Land Rover wheel alignment. Based in Kent, but proudly serving Land Rover owners from London, Essex, Surrey and the surrounding areas, our friendly team is on hand to provide affordable Land Rover care at the highest possible standard. Contact us today to get a quote or ask us any questions; we’d be delighted to help.