When it comes to car safety, we all know that the rearview and side mirrors are of utmost importance. They allow us to see what’s happening around us while allowing us to maintain an optimal level of vision while driving.
To ensure your safety on the road, having dual side mirrors has become a standard in many vehicles as they provide even more visibility than one large side mirror alone could offer.
In this blog post, we will discuss how dual side mirrors work, why they are essential for keeping you safe on the roads and ways you can make sure that your car is properly equipped with them.
Generally, vehicles with tinted rear windows must have dual side mirrors. Dual side mirrors enable the driver to see what is going on behind his or her vehicle because the rear tinted glass obscures the side’s view.
Table of Contents
What Are Dual Side Mirrors?
You are probably correct; twin side mirrors are the same as the readily accessible side mirrors that we are all familiar with. Installing dual side mirrors means getting side mirrors put on each side of the windshield, including the driver’s and passengers’ sides.
Dual side mirrors are two mirrors mounted on the sides of a vehicle which allow drivers to see areas behind and to the sides of their vehicles. These mirrors give drivers an expanded field of view that helps them to safely maneuver their vehicles while they are driving.
Dual side mirrors are usually adjustable as well, allowing drivers to easily adjust them to fit their individual preferences or needs in order to get the best possible view of their surroundings.
However, the requirement for two-side mirrors wasn’t always so prevalent. In contrast to many modern cars, adding a second passenger’s side mirror was a feature rather than a mandatory need.
That explains why discussing the purchase and installation of “dual side mirrors” these days is uncommon outside of situations requiring repair or renovation.
However, to improve the driver’s visibility while driving and cover enough blind areas behind the car, automobiles with blacked-out back windows and only the driver’s side mirror may be required to get it dual on both sides, like in my case. This is important because the tint interference has rendered the car’s rearview mirror all but useless.
The Importance of Dual Side Mirrors
Most drivers request authorization to tint their rearview mirrors to personalize their cars. As a result, it is challenging to notice what is happening behind you when driving. Drivers can see their rearview clearly on both sides, thanks to dual-side mirrors.
Additionally, the significance of dual side mirrors cannot be emphasized, particularly in today’s world where most people choose to have their cars’ windows tinted and we have wider roadways with traffic on both sides of the road.
Dual side mirrors are a must if the local authorities in your state or country permit tinted windows and you want them installed for you.
If your automobile already has two side mirrors, you’re set to go with the tinting procedure; the dual side mirror requirement is only for owners of cars with one-side mirror.
Drivers on a multi-lane road can quickly change lanes or drift to either side of the road without hitting another car. Having two side mirrors gives your automobile a more balanced and “cool” appearance. But, of course, there are several kinds of car side mirrors.
Benefits of Dual Side Mirrors
The main benefits of dual side mirrors include improved visibility and enhanced safety on the road.
Compared to single-side mirrors, dual side mirrors provide drivers with an increased field of view, enabling them to better monitor their surroundings and detect potential hazards in advance. This allows drivers to take corrective measures quickly, increasing their overall safety.
Furthermore, dual side mirrors are extremely versatile when it comes to parking and maneuvering, as they allow for a wide range of angles to be adjusted depending on the driver’s needs.
The convenience that dual side mirrors offer makes them an ideal choice for drivers who often have to navigate tight spaces or difficult turns.
Also, due to their twofold design, dual side mirrors are more effective at reducing blind spots than their single-sided counterparts. As such, they can help improve reaction times while driving and reduce the chances of getting into an accident.
When Did Dual Side Mirrors Become Standard?
Although it did not directly call for mirrors, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 addressed safety standards, including rear visibility. From the middle to the end of the 1960s, they began to be included as standard equipment.
Today’s federal regulations mandate the use of a passenger mirror in addition to an inside mirror if the latter does not fulfill certain field-of-view specifications. State laws differ, however, most states concur that side mirrors are only necessary when the center mirror is obscured. All concur that reflections show objects that are closer than they appear.
Car Side Mirror Types
There are several types of side mirrors, and despite personal taste, there are a number of elements that may impact your decision.
1. Power Side-View Mirrors
There is no need to get out of the car or even touch the side mirror to change the position of this kind of side mirror. It can be adjusted from inside the vehicle. A button for the car’s power side mirrors can be found on the dashboard or near the driver’s door. The switch displays horizontal and vertical arrows.
The side mirror(s) are adjusted horizontally when you press the horizontal arrow, and vertically when you press the vertical arrow. The dual side mirrors could be controlled by a single switch or by separate switches for each mirror.
2. Manual Side Mirrors
Older automobiles initially had side mirrors like this. Side mirrors that are manually operated must be “manually” adjusted, which requires getting out of the car.
So you wouldn’t have to get out of the car to adjust the side mirror; just reach out from the driver’s side. This is the least expensive sort of side mirror available, as you might expect.
3. Telescoping/towing Side Mirrors
Trucks frequently come equipped with towing mirrors, typically mounted next to telescoping side mirrors for clear, expansive views. These side mirror types come in several variations, albeit they are often manual.
Do Cars Always Have Two Side Mirrors?
There isn’t always a side-view mirror on the passenger side in brand-new cars from the factory. Even up until the early 1990s, you as a car owner had to pay to have it attached.
I’m convinced that cars’ design and safety requirements have evolved from what they were to what they are today. This tendency won’t stop at a single pattern, though.
Legislative rules for automakers and even us as car owners when traveling on highways greatly impacted the necessity of these numerous safety criteria in a car.
An outstanding illustration of this is the addition of a side mirror to the passenger’s side of the vehicle. However, given transportation organizations in the previous century—talk about the number of road lanes and their direction—regulators did not view this as being required.
Move ahead to the present, and dual side mirror use is still not strictly prohibited. Except in certain situations, as previously described, the driver-side side mirror and the rear-view mirror are both required.
How to Install Dual Side Mirrors
Installing dual side mirrors is a fairly simple process as long as you have the right tools and supplies.
# Step 1: Find the suitable side-view mirrors for your car
Start by assessing your vehicle and determining whether or not it’s compatible with side mirror installation. If so, measure the mounting points of the mounting bracket to ensure the new side mirrors fit properly. Once you have determined compatibility and measurements, purchase two universal-fit side mirrors that match your vehicle’s specifications.
# Step 2: Remove the old side mirror
Once you have all necessary equipment, begin by removing the existing side mirror mount covers by unscrewing any retaining screws with a screwdriver.
Disconnect any electrical connectors to the existing mount if applicable, then carefully unplug them from the wires inside of the door panel.
# Step 3: Install new mounting bracket
With these components now removed, install the new mounting bracket into place on both sides of your vehicle’s doors. Secure each bracket in place with screws or bolts, depending on what type of model you purchased.
# Step 4: Attach new mirrors
Next, attach each side mirror to its respective mounting bracket according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure to use some thread locker or rustproof coating for additional protection against corrosion for long-term use.
Note: Connect any wiring harnesses back up first on one side mirror and then onto the other before fastening them in place.
# Step 5: Testing
Finally, test out each side mirror to make sure everything is functioning correctly before replacing all trim panels and closing up your vehicle’s doors again.
You can check out this video for more detail:
Maintenance of Dual Side Mirrors
Don’t neglect to maintain your dual side mirrors if you want to keep your car looking its best. Here are some useful tips:
Regular cleaning
When it comes to the maintenance of dual side mirrors, regular cleaning is essential to ensure that they are always in a working condition. Cleaning should be done with a soft, damp cloth and a mild detergent to avoid scratching the mirror surface.
Checking for damage or wear
It’s also important to check for any signs of wear or damage, such as chips or cracks in the glass. Cracks, if left unchecked, can cause shards of glass to break off during use and could lead to serious injury. If there is any damage present, it’s important to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
It’s also important to keep an eye out for any rust on the mirrors’ mountings or frames. Rust can weaken these components over time and reduce the life expectancy of your mirrors. To avoid this, apply an automotive wax regularly, which will help protect the surfaces from corrosion.
Adjust them properly
Finally, make sure that all adjustments are done properly when installing new mirrors or maintaining existing ones. Improperly adjusted mirrors can affect visibility while driving and increase the risk of collisions. Take care when adjusting them, so you get a clear view out of both sides without having them positioned too widely apart or too close together.
FAQs
#1 Where are dual side mirrors mandatory?
Dual side mirrors are mandatory in most countries around the world. In the United States, all vehicles with an empty weight of 10,000 lbs or less must be equipped with two side mirrors on both sides of the vehicle. In some countries, dual side mirrors are also required for vehicles that transport hazardous materials.
Similarly, in many European countries, dual-side mirrors are mandatory for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles alike. Dual-side mirrors provide drivers with a wide field of view behind their vehicle and can help to reduce blind spots. The requirement for dual-side mirrors is often found in highway safety codes and other national regulations pertaining to motor vehicle operation.
#2 How is a dual side mirror different from a regular mirror?
A dual side mirror, also known as a side-view mirror, is different from a regular mirror in that it is designed to provide a wider field of vision for drivers.
Unlike a regular mirror, which is typically used for personal grooming or to view the interior of a room, a dual side mirror is mounted on the outside of a vehicle and is used to monitor traffic and other objects in the driver’s blind spots.
Dual side mirrors are typically larger and convex in shape, allowing for a wider field of view, and are often adjustable to accommodate drivers of different heights and seating positions. They also often feature additional safety features such as turn signal indicators or heated mirrors to prevent fogging and ice buildup.
#3 What do dual side mirrors mean?
Conclusion
For drivers, the importance of dual side mirrors cannot be overstated. They are essential accessory that plays a vital role in improving your visibility and enhancing the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other people on the road.
Today, most new vehicles come with two side mirrors as standard, although there is still a range of types to choose from depending on your needs. However, I think dual side mirrors might be redundant soon, given the swift advancement of automotive technology, such as integrated sensors and AI in driving.
Further Reading:
Hi there! I’m Naomi O’Colman. I’ve got years of experience working at an auto repair shop here in Texas under my belt. On top of that, ever since I was a kid I’ve been passionate about the auto industry. Since I’ve joined the team at automotivegearz.com I’ve been enthusiastically sharing my passion and insights with my readers. I’m dedicated to delivering high quality content and helping you stay up to date with the latest automotive trends and products out there!
