Rear-view mirror

A rear-view mirror is a functional type of mirror found on automobiles and other vehicles, designed to allow the driver to see the area behind the vehicle through the back window.

Related Topics:
Mirror - Automobile

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rear-view mirrors are sometimes confused with side-view mirrors, a different type of mirror found on the left- and right-hand sides of most modern vehicles. Though these mirrors do face backwards, they are meant to show the driver the traffic to the left- and right-hand sides of the automobile. While side view mirrors usually carry the warning "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear", the rear-view mirror does not carry this warning, even though it also has the same convex shape and the same potential danger that side view mirrors have.

Related Topics:
Side-view mirrors - Convex

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Typically, the rear-view mirror is affixed to the top of the windshield on a swivel mount allowing it to be freely rotated. Certain car models have the rear-view mirror mounted on top of the dashboard. When adjusting the mirror, it is advised to sit in the driver's seat in the same manner that you will be sitting while driving. Their utility may be diminished in cars with large spoilers or tiny back windows such as the Lamborghini Diablo.

Related Topics:
Dashboard - Spoiler - Lamborghini Diablo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~