[Ham6506]

What is the deal with my nearside mirror.

I'm way past the car on my inside before I can see him in the mirror.

I can't trust it when I want to pull in because there is a massive blind spot!

Does every Cooper have that magnifying glass type effect only on the nearside morror?

[Martin L]

Sounds like you've got your mirror set up wrong
You should be able to see far better out of the passenger mirror then the drivers wing mirror as you do have a better "angle". I setup the wing mirrors so that you can see the side of your car in them. This then presents no problems.
There is however a large blind spot on the drivers side
If a car is around your rear quarter on the outside you will not pick it up in the mirror. I always lean forward to get a better look in the mirror to make sure nothings there before pulling out.
My mirrors aren't of the convex shape and are just plain flat mirrors

[Tonyt3]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ham6506
What is the deal with my nearside mirror.

I'm way past the car on my inside before I can see him in the mirror.

I can't trust it when I want to pull in because there is a massive blind spot!

Does every Cooper have that magnifying glass type effect only on the nearside morror?

If you only use your mirrors when manouvering your car then I suggest you think about taking some more driving lessons. You should be fully aware of your surroundings before you change lanes or pull in - your mirrors are just an aid, and are not infallible. All cars have blind spots, try moving your head a bit more, thats what your neck is for. Sorry for soundind a little bit agressive, but if you control your car by only looking in the mirrors then you will sooner or later either have an accident, or worse still cause an accident that you are not even aware of.

[Hat]

nope i don't have a problem either. Like Martin, my mirrors are both set up so i can see quite a bit of the side of the car - the passenger side one is set so the door handle is just visible. This is how i've always set door mirrors without any problems. The Minis mirrors are quite a bit bigger than a lot of cars.

[Razor]

A fool proof method of getting rid of the blind-spot is a quick glimpse over the shoulder. It tends to work for me (and I've always done that no matter what car I've been driving) - should work for you too.

[2nd Mini]

Ya know, the MINI is a virtual greenhouse compared to a Dodge Caravan. I loaned my wife the MINI and used her Caravan for a couple of days recently. At one point, I stopped at an intersection with a stop sign, checked around, then pulled onto the road. As I steadied into the lane, I realized I had a car glued to my back end with its driver looking hacked off. Turns out he had been approaching from the right and was perfectly hidden by the Caravan's huge A-pillar. Scary! Give me back my MINI and its idiosyncrasies any day!

Bob

[HarryHBMCC]

Many of you have it backwards. You should not be able to see part of your car in your side mirrors -- that is a waste as they will overlap greatly with the rearview mirror. You should set your side mirrors using your rearview mirror so there is no redundancy. The closer in the side mirrors are (the more you see your own car) the bigger the blind spot.

Harry

[KenL]

No problem with my ONE

[sjbartnik]

Harryindiblue has it exactly right.

If you have a blind spot, your mirrors are not adjusted properly. You should have your mirrors set up so that as a car comes up to overtake, it begins to appear in your side mirror as it begins to disappear from the inside rear view mirror.

Then as it begins to disappear from the side mirror it should begin to appear in your peripheral vision.

To get started on this, you want to adjust the mirrors "out" more than you would think. Like Harry says, you really shouldn't be able to see the side of your car in them. You know where your car is

[Hickster]

I've always set my mirrors so I can just see the edges of my car, that way I know exectly where things are relative to me. I've never liked the 'over the shoulder method' as I have the fear that one day I hit something or run someone over - it only takes a split second! I don't have problems with blind spots as I'll lean forward to make sure nothing is in the way. Only ever had 1 blind spot error in a Fiesta Pop when a yellow car 'disappeared' only to rematerialise behind me with a very angy driver in it!

[Ham6506]

When I first got the car I did what I have in all previous cars and adjust the mirror so I could just see the side of the car. I think however that this is wrong and you should (as pointed out) adjust them to the point where you can't see with the rear veiw mirror.

I have done this but I think it just takes a bit of getting use to.

As for moving my head and glancing over my shoulder, I do this all the time on my bike (mountain and motor bike) and therefore am used to the proceddure but don't feel it is necessary in the car as I've got these handy things called mirrors! As for taking more driving lessons, well I'd be more than happy to as long as they don't insist that I keep looking over my shoulder everytime I want to change lane! Next thing you'll be telling me that I have to stick to speed limits!

[Martin L]

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryIndiBlue
Many of you have it backwards. You should not be able to see part of your car in your side mirrors -- that is a waste as they will overlap greatly with the rearview mirror

The reason for having a slight view of your car in your rear view mirrors is to get a reference point to where thing are relative to your car. I'm not going to even try and "train" my mind to judge distance and positions of other cars by just looking at where they are in the mirror without a reference point, I'm no fighter pilot
It also helps a huge deal when parking if you can see your car too

[rnelsonee]

Harry's got it right -- try setting your mirrors up so they point towards the blind spot. For some reason, driving schools tell you to aim them so you see the side of your car. Although it's nice to have your car as a reference, it leaves a huge blind spot. Just point them almost all the way out, and watch someone pass you on the left. You'll want the mirror pointed such that once they leave the rearview mirror, they should pop up on the side mirror. Then by the time they're out of the side mirror's view, their bumper should be around your rear wheel, making them very easy to spot (or hear).

[Dark Silver S]

One) Turning your head to look over your shoulder is really a dangerous practice. It is a proven fact that your car goes where your eyes do, and when you turn your head, you also turn your car. I'm not advocating that everyone should drive with a totally imobilized neck, but just a mere shift is far better than turning your head.

Two) I've heard the theory about adjusting the wing mirrors so that you cannot see the sides of your own vehicle, and I don't buy it.

Three) Tony*t3 is correct. You should make a regular habit of checking all three mirrors so that you know what's behind you and about to pass you. You should also be checking the sides of the road for things that might be getting ready to jump in front of you. Sweep the mirrors, sweep the road, sweep the mirrors, sweep the road, and so on.

Having said that - - - I have been known to change lanes immediately in front of another car if I think the opening is big enough and the other car is going slow enough. An S has enough zip to get out of the way very quickly, and enough handling to make the lane change quickly and neatly. I know I've NEVER done that to another MINI driver, but then, I wouldn't have to.

[Paul]

Quote:

Originally posted by SCooperS
One) Turning your head to look over your shoulder is really a dangerous practice. It is a proven fact that your car goes where your eyes do, and when you turn your head, you also turn your car. I'm not advocating that everyone should drive with a totally immobilized neck, but just a mere shift is far better than turning your head.

I don't agree with that, in fact, we're taught to do that when joining motorways etc from slip lanes. Not however in general driving, just really when pulling into traffic at any angle and/or speed where all the mirrors still might not be enough. It is the best way to REALLY be sure you're all clear. You only need 'glance' to double check what all your mirrors have already told you.

Quote:

Two) I've heard the theory about adjusting the wing mirrors so that you cannot see the sides of your own vehicle, and I don't buy it.

Me neither, I can see the car in mine, the MINIs mirrors are huge too, so that helps. I can see some of each of the door, rear quarter panels etc. in my side mirrors, at that angle though, it only takes up a TINY percentage of the mirrors overall view.

Quote:

Three) Tony*t3 is correct. You should make a regular habit of checking all three mirrors so that you know what's behind you and about to pass you. You should also be checking the sides of the road for things that might be getting ready to jump in front of you. Sweep the mirrors, sweep the road, sweep the mirrors, sweep the road, and so on.

Yup... the best way to avoid incidents is to always keep aware of all your surroundings. Check mirrors often, and always read the road ahead, as well as the road your on.... We do a lot when driving we don't even think of. Try even a short journey 'police training' style SAYING all the potential dangers and other details you are taking in as you drive, you'll probably surprise yourself!

Quote:

Having said that - - - I have been known to change lanes immediately in front of another car if I think the opening is big enough and the other car is going slow enough. An S has enough zip to get out of the way very quickly, and enough handling to make the lane change quickly and neatly. I know I've NEVER done that to another MINI driver, but then, I wouldn't have to.

If you've got space and time... use it.

[David W.]

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryIndiBlue
Many of you have it backwards. You should not be able to see part of your car in your side mirrors -- that is a waste as they will overlap greatly with the rearview mirror. You should set your side mirrors using your rearview mirror so there is no redundancy. The closer in the side mirrors are (the more you see your own car) the bigger the blind spot.

Harry

The best way to get this right is to place your face to the drivers window and then set that sides mirror so you can just see the edge of the cars side. Then for the other for the side tire to place you head in the center of the car. set mirror same as the other side. There will be NO blind spot.

[PigLick]

I think the MINI has much less of a blind spot than just about any other car I've driven. It seems like it might have bad visibility at first, due to the relatively small rear window and such, but the excellent side mirrors and overall size, shape, and layout of the car actually gives you excellent visibility. I agree with the "shouldn't see your own car in the side mirrors" group. I use to have them set that way, and found people getting lost in blind spots quite often. I have since adjusted them out, so that the side of my car is just visible if I move my head a few inches toward the mirror, and my blind spots have all but vanished.

I fine-tune my mirror placement while on the freeway. I pay attention either as I am slowly approaching a car, or one is slowly apporaching me. I watch as it passes from peripheral vision, to side mirrors, to rearview, and then adjust as needed.

All that said, as other have mentioned, there is no amount of mirrors or windows that will take the place of simply paying attention to your surroundings at all times while driving. Keep your eyes moving, and pay attention to what they see.

PigLick

[Dark Silver S]

Paul:

Three out of four - guess I did okay! And I was thinking of the speak as you do theory - picked that one up in EVOC.

And, on number four, I forgot to mention that I have to be going at least a little faster than the other car. Not hard in an S.

BTW, I base my mirror adjustments on years of driving larger than normal vehicles - dump trucks (do y'all have dump lorries?), vans, and ambulances - all of which use ONLY wing mirrors. I can get in a garage with an inch to spare on both sides and back out again.

[scooterboy]

I adjust my mirrors so there IS a blind spot. But on every vehicle I own, I put one of those little convex mirrors on the lower right corner of the drivers side mirror that takes care of the blind spot.

For highway driving, I can quickly check rear-view, right mirror, left mirror, and blind spot, there's no need to turn my head around, which I agree is dangerous. I will turn my head when necessary if an intersection requires it. JHMO.

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by rnelsonee
Harry's got it right -- try setting your mirrors up so they point towards the blind spot. For some reason, driving schools tell you to aim them so you see the side of your car. Although it's nice to have your car as a reference, it leaves a huge blind spot. Just point them almost all the way out, and watch someone pass you on the left. You'll want the mirror pointed such that once they leave the rearview mirror, they should pop up on the side mirror. Then by the time they're out of the side mirror's view, their bumper should be around your rear wheel, making them very easy to spot (or hear).

I agree - you and HarryIndiBlue have it right. It *does* take a little getting used to, but within a few weeks you'll never miss the old method.

What I do is lean my head against the glass, adjust the mirror so I can just see the side of the car, then lean my head in towards the center of the car, and adjust the other one the same way. That way when I'm in the normal driving position I have minimized (but not eliminated!) the blind spot. For that you need to develop your situational awareness -- the mental picture of who's around you.

One cool thing about the MINI is because it's so short, I can safely make lane changes when I can see only one of the other car's headlights in the outside mirror. On a regular car I have to wait until I can see both headlights in order to give enough of an interval.

Chip H.