Blind Spot

[COarcher]

When I was test driving a TE 4runner it seemed that the blind spot was pretty large. Is anyone doing anything about this or noticed this too?

 

[jca21]

nope, fine for me.

 

[SeattleMike]

When I was test driving a TE 4runner it seemed that the blind spot was pretty large. Is anyone doing anything about this or noticed this too?

If you depend on mirrors or a sideways glance, it's HUGE on the driver's side. If you actually turn your head a little, no problems. My driver's side mirror does make everything wider in an attempt to compensate, I think.

 

[FlyNavy]

I was actually just admiring the visibility in this thing yesterday

 

[COarcher]

Interesting!I guess just compared to my 92 Jeep Cherokee everything is going to seem like it has a blind spot.

 

[Jtraskell]

When I was test driving a TE 4runner it seemed that the blind spot was pretty large. Is anyone doing anything about this or noticed this too?

2.5 inch fish eye mirrors placed at the lower left hand corner of each rear view mirror greatly reduces your chances of missing a vehicle or anything else in the blind spot. I use them on ALL my vehicles.

 

[philsey]

Few people adjust the outside mirrors correctly, using them as REAR view mirrors rather than as SIDE view mirrors.

Properly adjusted side view mirrors allow you to see NEXT to your vehicle, not behind it.

To do this, have someone stand next to your vehicle, 3' away from it, in just the same place as a car in the blind spot would be. Adjust the mirror so you can see him. You should not see your own car in these mirrors without leaning toward the mirror.

If both side mirrors are adjusted properly, a glance at them tells you what is next to you.

 

[mpaquette]

Few people adjust the outside mirrors correctly, using them as REAR view mirrors rather than as SIDE view mirrors.

Properly adjusted side view mirrors allow you to see NEXT to your vehicle, not behind it.

To do this, have someone stand next to your vehicle, 3' away from it, in just the same place as a car in the blind spot would be. Adjust the mirror so you can see him. You should not see your own car in these mirrors without leaning toward the mirror.

If both side mirrors are adjusted properly, a glance at them tells you what is next to you.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[M1911]

You need to properly adjust the mirrors. See this article for a description of how to do it: Are Blind Spots a Myth? - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com

It will take you a while to get used to it, but it works better. In brief, the method is as follows:

Here’s the short and less technical version of what it says: The driver leans his head against the driver’s window and sets the mirror so that the side of the vehicle is just visible. Then, the driver leans to the middle of the vehicle (between the front seats) and does the same thing with the passenger-side mirror.

 

[ckon]

Here's a good start: YouTube - AutoFocus - Are your car mirrors adjusted correctly?

 

[M1911]

Here's a good start: YouTube - AutoFocus - Are your car mirrors adjusted correctly?

Thanks, that's a good video. It shows the same technique.

 

[COarcher]

Thanks guys. This should solve my problem once i get my TE

 

[mikeync]

amazed -- I thought I was like the only person in the world doing that. We had it as a safety brief where I used to work and my mirrors are setup like that. The wife hates it, but on the other hand she is the one with accidents.............

 

[Uneek]

You need to properly adjust the mirrors. See this article for a description of how to do it: Are Blind Spots a Myth? - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com

It will take you a while to get used to it, but it works better. In brief, the method is as follows:

Pretty much how I set mine up. You can tell when other drivers don't use this technique, because their mirror glass edges pretty much lines up with the mirror housing. On mine, the inside edges of the mirror glass stick out of the housing--I can poke my finger in between the mirror glass and housing when the window is rolled down.

At the same time, I think manufacturers set the mirrors up so drivers don't use the above technique. Take the 4th gen for example, the passenger mirror is angled closer to the body than the driver's side. Why? Maybe to aid people from rubbing the curb when parking? I don't know if the 5th has this "feature".

 

[TTown]

I have been setting my windows this way for many cars. I am not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but on my 4Runner the mirrors will no go out far enough. I am 6'2" so this it requires the mirrors to go further out, but I haven't had this problem with previous cars.

I just figured Toyota set the mirrors for the way most people set their mirrors.