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During my days running union meetings, there was a thing called “for the good and welfare of the members”. Today’s post is about the good and welfare of HumbleDrivers.
In the past few weeks, two of my retired friends have complained that the ‘blind spot’ warning device on their new cars was useless. Both said that the yellow warning light on their side view mirror did not illuminate until a vehicle was approximately at their rear bumper.
I’m going to tell you why I don’t agree with them, and why I think this ‘good and welfare’ post is relevant to HumbleDollar.
The area between the rear bumper and a car’s passenger door is the blind spot on every vehicle that I have ever driven. Therefore, if the warning light comes on when traffic is occupying that area, it is working as it should. A problem arises when the side view mirrors are not properly adjusted. The following was lifted directly from the internet, because I could not have written it better..
“The most effective way to adjust your side-view mirrors is a method often recommended by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Unlike the traditional method where you see the side of your own car, this setup pushes the mirrors outward to significantly reduce—and often eliminate—your blind spots.
The Blind Spot Elimination (BSE) Method
Adjust the Rearview Mirror first: Set your center rearview mirror as you normally would, so it frames the entire rear window.
Adjust the Driver’s Side Mirror: Lean your head to the left until it almost touches the driver’s side window. From that position, adjust the mirror so you can just barely see the rear corner of your car. When you sit back up straight, you should no longer see the side of your car at all.
Adjust the Passenger’s Side Mirror: Lean your head to the right toward the center of the vehicle (roughly over the center console). Adjust the passenger mirror so you can just barely see the rear corner of that side. Again, when you return to your normal driving position, the side of your car should be out of view.”
That our driving skills weaken as we age is not news to anyone. Blind Spot Warning and properly adjusted mirrors help keep us accident free. Putting aside the cost of physical injury and property damage, this is important because the older we get, the more likely an ‘at fault’ accident will be followed by a dreaded ‘non renewal letter’ from our insurer. Following such a notice, it will cost significantly more to buy car insurance, and may even put an end to our days as drivers.
I’m thinking of a Midas commercial from 1972, when the good looking driver of a Corvette screamed at an old guy in a ‘63 Ford; “your muffler, fix it”.
Today’s message is; your mirrors, ADJUST THEM!
We had a good and welfare at the end of all of our fraternity’s meetings.
I may try this method, but historically I’ve used my ability to see a portion of my car in the sideview as a feature, not a bug. My ability to see my car helps me understand where the other car is in relation to me. If I can’t see my car, I just see some other car with no context. I’m not sure this will be better for me or not, but I may experiment.
I understand, it takes some getting used to. When I began my career as a truck driver, I was taught to ‘lean, look, and listen’ when changing lanes. This remains a good practice no matter how you like your mirrors positioned.
The Automatic start-stop systems that they gave manufacturers incentives to install on vehicles was the most idiotic technology developed in motor vehicle history.
Agreed.
Agreed! I hate that “feature”! My car doesn’t have it and my wife’s car has a button to push to disable it.
My first car was a 1950 Plymouth that did not have seat belts, we have certainly come a long way with safety features. My favorite is the automatic breaking that is highly effective at avoiding an accident not only if I do something stupid but also when another driver does.
As a former beer truck driver Dan maybe a few comments from you about what a large truck driver can’t see may save someone from financial and physical disaster.
Sure, without racking my old brain too much, here are a few obvious ones;
In any occupation, there are people good at their jobs, along with those that ain’t so hot. Trucking isn’t any different, and everyone makes mistakes. Remember that those trucks are 10 to 20 times bigger than you; you don’t want to be ‘dead right’.
Thank you for this, Dan. Our car is older and doesn’t have the light, but it is something we will definitely look for in our next one. And, the side mirror setting info you wrote about is good, too. It is new to me. Chris
Chris, we just completed a road trip (OH to CA), the safety technology on new cars is amazing. Having gotten used to having it, I would not want to be without it.
Thanks, Dan. Very useful.
I remember these guidelines from a long time ago and made adjustments then. This has motivated me to check them again today.
I use and rely on all the sensors on my car, blind spot, cars approaching when backing out of parking space, too close left or right, approaching car in front too close and not braking, backing up and when nearing curb for head on parking, plus straying from center of the land on highway. All good stuff and very helpful.
One additional function is when using navigation, as I approach the next turn the camera displays the turn coming up so I see the intersection before I get to it.
….as I approach the next turn the camera displays the turn coming up so I see the intersection before I get to it….
That would be useful, because the friendly voice of my navigation (I have nicknamed her Chrissy Junior, for the useful directions she provides) often tells me to turn either too late or too soon.
It also detects potholes. Has a sensor linked to other Mercedes so when a pothole is sensed by one car info is shared and if I drive on the same road, it tells me a pothole is coming up.