370z needs better side mirrors

Mike · 10-29-2009, 10:08 PM

you just need to learn how to adjust them. Tilt your head to the far left, then put the mirror where you can barely see the left side of the car. Then tilt right and do the same for the other side. In normal driving, you shouldn't be able to see your car from the side mirrors. It does take getting used to, but you will find, if you let a car pass you on either side, it will go from the rear view mirror, to the side to where you can see it directly and never be out of your sight.

theDreamer · 10-29-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

you just need to learn how to adjust them. Tilt your head to the far left, then put the mirror where you can barely see the left side of the car. Then tilt right and do the same for the other side. In normal driving, you shouldn't be able to see your car from the side mirrors. It does take getting used to, but you will find, if you let a car pass you on either side, it will go from the rear view mirror, to the side to where you can see it directly and never be out of your sight.

Took me well over a week to get mine just right, but no more blind spots. I would like to upgrade to the 2010 mirrors only for the heated mirrors, but I will wait to find out exactly what it will take to do it.

Trips · 11-01-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Took me well over a week to get mine just right, but no more blind spots. I would like to upgrade to the 2010 mirrors only for the heated mirrors, but I will wait to find out exactly what it will take to do it.

Same here Dreamer, Simple adjustments and the blind spots are taken care of. I keep my car parked outside and the morning dew frosts all the windows and side mirrors, I have to keep cleaning my side mirrors before I drive off to see backing out onto the street. Heated Mirrors would be nice option.

Jack370Z · 11-02-2009, 08:19 PM

I've found there appears to be blind areas on both sides due to the A pillars but with use the side mirrors do cover those areas. With approaching vehicles I adjust the side mirrors "out" until I can see the front of them as they clear the cockpit rearview mirror. The vehicles should just come into view in the side mirrors just as they begin to leave the rearview. I still find a quick glance over either shoulder is advisable for peace of mind. I do agree the driver's side mirror is a little large and does block your view, somewhat, when making left turns. Not sure of a fix for that. The rear visibility is limited in the 370Z. It reminds me of the Pontiac Trans Am Formula.

schrute · 10-29-2009, 10:15 PM

When I first got this car I felt like it had bilnd spots bad, but after adjusting the mirrors further out like Mike descibed above I have no problem feeling like I don't know what's going on around me.

WShade · 10-29-2009, 10:19 PM

x3

Matt · 10-29-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrute

When I first got this car I felt like it had bilnd spots bad, but after adjusting the mirrors further out like Mike descibed above I have no problem feeling like I don't know what's going on around me.

x4

The mirrors are great for me. After only a week, I feel 100% sure when changing lanes, backing up, etc....and that's with the nismo spoiler in the way! Back-up cam will be more of a show-off thing, than a utility thing.

antennahead · 10-29-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

you just need to learn how to adjust them. Tilt your head to the far left, then put the mirror where you can barely see the left side of the car. Then tilt right and do the same for the other side. In normal driving, you shouldn't be able to see your car from the side mirrors. It does take getting used to, but you will find, if you let a car pass you on either side, it will go from the rear view mirror, to the side to where you can see it directly and never be out of your sight.

100% correct my friend!

kannibul · 10-30-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

you just need to learn how to adjust them. Tilt your head to the far left, then put the mirror where you can barely see the left side of the car. Then tilt right and do the same for the other side. In normal driving, you shouldn't be able to see your car from the side mirrors. It does take getting used to, but you will find, if you let a car pass you on either side, it will go from the rear view mirror, to the side to where you can see it directly and never be out of your sight.

I've got mine set out as far as they will go before the motor "clicks" - and I still have a bit of blind spot...

This is fixed by doing a crunches while looking out the driver's side mirror then looking over my shoulder too to double-check. The more I drive my car, the more crunches I do, therefore I won't be 300lbs for long, right? (lol)

As a biker, I pay close attention to blind-spots. Sadly, other bikers don't.

Moonlitebiker · 10-31-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

As a biker, I pay close attention to blind-spots. Sadly, other bikers don't.

I'm going to have to take issue with that comment. It isn't bikers who don't pay attention to blind spots. It's the car & truck drivers who do this. Bikers pay the price.

schrute · 10-31-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonlitebiker

I'm going to have to take issue with that comment. It isn't bikers who don't pay attention to blind spots. It's the car & truck drivers who do this. Bikers pay the price.

Agree 100% that it's bikers that pay the price when there is a failure to pay attention to blind spots, but it goes both ways. The way I read his comment was that it's up to the biker to stay out of other vehicles blind spots, for their own good. When I'm on the bike I do not camp out in other vehicle's blind spots because I do not trust them to check it before changing lanes. I either accelerate to get in front of them or stay behind them. It wouldn't matter to me who wasn't paying attention to their blind spot if I was dead.

kannibul · 11-03-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonlitebiker

I'm going to have to take issue with that comment. It isn't bikers who don't pay attention to blind spots. It's the car & truck drivers who do this. Bikers pay the price.

It's a mutual thing, seriously. If you hang out in the blindspot of a vehicle, and they merge on top of you, well, that's on you, as far as I'm concerned...and that's how *I* ride.

earwicker7 · 11-03-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

It's a mutual thing, seriously. If you hang out in the blindspot of a vehicle, and they merge on top of you, well, that's on you, as far as I'm concerned...and that's how *I* ride.

I agree. It's really bad here in Los Angeles since you can legally (correct me if I get the term wrong) whiteline (i.e., squeeze between two cars that are next to each other). Where I grew up that wasn't legal because, well, it's insane. I've seen bikers literally have about 1" between themselves and the car next to them.

kannibul · 11-03-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earwicker7

I agree. It's really bad here in Los Angeles since you can legally (correct me if I get the term wrong) whiteline (i.e., squeeze between two cars that are next to each other). Where I grew up that wasn't legal because, well, it's insane. I've seen bikers literally have about 1" between themselves and the car next to them.

Lanesplitting, and I agree, it's stupid. It should have been outlawed once car phones were invented, let alone cell phones.

junior_jam · 11-03-2009, 07:19 PM

I agree that adjusting the mirrors properly will allow you to see a car approach from behind at which point you can watch them in your side mirror, but they DO NOT help in the case of (1) heavy traffic where you're not watching cars approach or (2) you're not watching every car behind you.

For example, tonight I was in congested traffic traveling at the speed limit and I got aggressive because the guy in front of me was going slow and I saw an opening to the right. I checked my mirrors and (tried to) look out the right window and took off to the right. Nobody was there. The second I started to change lanes I saw a gigantic pickup truck that was in my blind spot. I ended up cutting him off.

I'm seriously thinking about getting those stupid half round mirrors for the sake of not wrecking my Z.

10-29-2009, 10:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2187	you just need to learn how to adjust them. Tilt your head to the far left, then put the mirror where you can barely see the left side of the car. Then tilt right and do the same for the other side. In normal driving, you shouldn't be able to see your car from the side mirrors. It does take getting used to, but you will find, if you let a car pass you on either side, it will go from the rear view mirror, to the side to where you can see it directly and never be out of your sight. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

10-29-2009, 10:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	When I first got this car I felt like it had bilnd spots bad, but after adjusting the mirrors further out like Mike descibed above I have no problem feeling like I don't know what's going on around me. __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

10-29-2009, 10:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
WShade Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 765 Drives: 09 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 188	x3 __________________ Q50S Q60 RS400

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11-02-2009, 08:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jack370Z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 128 Drives: 09 370Z Plat SP 6MT Rep Power: 16	I've found there appears to be blind areas on both sides due to the A pillars but with use the side mirrors do cover those areas. With approaching vehicles I adjust the side mirrors "out" until I can see the front of them as they clear the cockpit rearview mirror. The vehicles should just come into view in the side mirrors just as they begin to leave the rearview. I still find a quick glance over either shoulder is advisable for peace of mind. I do agree the driver's side mirror is a little large and does block your view, somewhat, when making left turns. Not sure of a fix for that. The rear visibility is limited in the 370Z. It reminds me of the Pontiac Trans Am Formula.

11-03-2009, 07:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
junior_jam Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NC Posts: 93 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 16	I agree that adjusting the mirrors properly will allow you to see a car approach from behind at which point you can watch them in your side mirror, but they DO NOT help in the case of (1) heavy traffic where you're not watching cars approach or (2) you're not watching every car behind you. For example, tonight I was in congested traffic traveling at the speed limit and I got aggressive because the guy in front of me was going slow and I saw an opening to the right. I checked my mirrors and (tried to) look out the right window and took off to the right. Nobody was there. The second I started to change lanes I saw a gigantic pickup truck that was in my blind spot. I ended up cutting him off. I'm seriously thinking about getting those stupid half round mirrors for the sake of not wrecking my Z.