That reflective glass on your car’s side has a specific technical name used by engineers and parts manufacturers. If you’ve ever wondered what is the mirror in the car called, you’re not alone. Most people simply call it a side mirror or a wing mirror, but the official, all-encompassing term is the “side-view mirror.”
This article explains everything about your car’s mirrors. We will cover their correct names, different types, how to adjust them, and why they are so important for your safety.
What Is The Mirror In The Car Called
The primary mirror on the side of your vehicle is correctly termed the side-view mirror. This is the standard technical name found in repair manuals, parts catalogs, and legal documents. It describes the mirror’s core function: to give you a view of the areas to the side and rear of your car that your interior rearview mirror cannot show.
You will also hear common alternative names. “Wing mirror” is a popular term, especially in European countries, as the mirrors resemble wings on the side of the car. “Side mirror” is a simpler, widely understood shorthand. In formal settings like a traffic ticket, you might see “exterior rearview mirror,” which is the complete legal description.
The Three Main Mirrors In Your Vehicle
Every standard car is equipped with three primary mirrors designed to create a comprehensive view around your vehicle. Understanding each one’s role is key to safe driving.
- Interior Rearview Mirror: This is the mirror mounted on your windshield inside the car. It provides a view directly out of the rear window.
- Driver-Side Side-View Mirror: Mounted on the outside of the driver’s door or fender, this mirror is typically flat for an accurate representation of distance.
- Passenger-Side Side-View Mirror: Mounted on the opposite side, this mirror is usually convex (slightly curved outward) to provide a wider field of view, which helps compensate for the greater distance from the driver’s seat.
Technical Names And Common Variations
Beyond the basic names, you might encounter more specific terms when shopping for parts or reading about car features. These names often describe the mirror’s design or technology.
Door-Mounted Versus Fender-Mounted Mirrors
Side-view mirrors are attached to the car in one of two main ways. Door-mounted mirrors are the most common today, fixed directly to the door panel. Fender-mounted mirrors are positioned forward on the front fender, a style often seen on classic cars, trucks, or some Japanese-market vehicles. Each type offers a slightly different veiwing angle.
Manual Versus Power Mirrors
This refers to the adjustment mechanism. Manual mirrors require you to push or pull the mirror housing by hand from inside the car to change its angle. Power mirrors, now standard on most vehicles, are adjusted using a small joystick or switch on the driver’s door panel, which controls small electric motors inside the mirror housing.
Heated Mirrors And Auto-Dimming Features
Many modern side-view mirrors include advanced features. Heated mirrors have small heating elements embedded in the glass to melt frost, ice, or condensation. Auto-dimming mirrors use sensors to detect bright headlights from behind and automatically darken to reduce glare, a feature once reserved for interior mirrors but now available externally too.
Why The Correct Adjustment Is Crucial For Safety
Properly adjusted side-view mirrors are not just a convenience; they are a critical safety component. Incorrectly angled mirrors create dangerous blind spots—areas around your car that you cannot see with your mirrors. The goal of adjustment is to minimize these blind spots as much as possible.
A common mistake is to adjust the side-view mirrors so that you can see the side of your own car in them. This is redundant, as you already know where your car is, and it wastes valuable mirror space that could be used to see other vehicles. The correct method eliminates this overlap with your interior rearview mirror’s field of view.
How To Properly Adjust Your Side-View Mirrors
Follow these steps to set your mirrors for maximum visibility and minimum blind spots. You should do this while seated in your normal driving position.
- Adjust Your Driver-Side Mirror: Lean your head until it almost touches the driver’s side window. From this position, adjust the mirror outward until you can just barely see the side of your own car. When you return to a normal seated position, your car should almost disappear from the mirror’s view.
- Adjust Your Passenger-Side Mirror: Now, lean your head to the center of the car, about above the middle console. From this position, adjust the right-side mirror outward until, again, you can just barely see the side of your car. This angle provides the widest possible view on that side.
- Set Your Interior Rearview Mirror: Finally, adjust your interior mirror to frame the entire rear window. When done correctly, a car passing you will move seamlessly from your interior rearview mirror into your side-view mirror, and then into your peripheral vision as it enters the lane beside you.
Blind Spot Mirrors And Additional Safety Systems
Even with perfectly adjusted mirrors, some blind spots remain. To address this, manufacturers have developed add-ons and integrated systems.
- Blind Spot Mirrors (BSM): These are small, curved adhesive mirrors you can stick to the corner of your existing side-view mirror. They provide a extra-wide-angle view specifically for the immediate area next to your car.
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Systems: This electronic system uses radar or ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper to detect vehicles in your blind spots. A visual alert, usually an icon in or near the side-view mirror, lights up to warn you.
- Turn Signal Indicators In Mirrors: Some cars integrate the turn signal repeater light into the side-view mirror housing, making your turn intentions more visible to adjacent drivers and pedestrians.
When You Need To Replace Or Repair A Side-View Mirror
Accidents happen, and side-view mirrors are often vulnerable. Knowing the parts can help you communicate with a mechanic or order the correct part yourself.
- Mirror Glass: Just the reflective piece. It can be flat or convex and may have a heating element or dimming function attached.
- Mirror Housing: The plastic or metal shell that holds the glass and contains the motors (if powered).
- Mirror Assembly: This is the complete unit, including the glass, housing, mounting bracket, and all internal components.
- Mirror Cap or Cover: The colored part of the housing that matches your car’s paint; it can often be replaced separately.
If just the glass is cracked, you can often replace it alone. If the entire housing is broken or the motors fail, you will likely need a full assembly. Remember that for the passenger-side mirror, you must specify if you need a convex glass, which usually has the warning “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear” etched into it.
Legal Requirements For Side-View Mirrors
In most regions, having at least two functioning mirrors is a legal requirement for street-legal vehicles. Typically, this mandates the interior rearview mirror and the driver-side side-view mirror. However, many jurisdictions now require both side-view mirrors for safety. The mirrors must be properly adjusted, free of major cracks that distort the view, and the housing must not have sharp edges. It’s important to check your local vehicle codes to ensure your car is compliant, especially after a repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about car mirrors.
What Is The Little Mirror On The Side Mirror Called?
That small, often round, additional mirror is called a blind spot mirror or a convex spot mirror. It’s an aftermarket add-on designed to give you a wider-angle view directly next to your vehicle, helping to eliminate the blind spot.
What Is The Mirror Inside The Car Called?
The mirror mounted on your windshield inside the cabin is the interior rearview mirror. Its primary job is to provide a view directly out the back window of your car.
What Is The Difference Between Convex And Flat Mirrors?
A flat mirror gives a true, undistorted reflection of distance and speed. A convex mirror is curved outward, providing a wider field of view but making objects appear smaller and farther away than they really are. The passenger-side mirror is usually convex to help cover more area.
Can I Replace A Power Mirror With A Manual One?
Technically, it might be possible, but it is generally not recommended. The wiring and door harness are designed for power mirrors, and you would lose functionality. It is usually best to replace a broken power mirror with the correct power mirror assembly.
Why Does My Passenger Mirror Say Objects Are Closer Than They Appear?
This safety warning is required by law on convex mirrors. Because the curved glass makes objects look smaller and farther away, the warning reminds you to check your blind spot directly by turning your head before changing lanes, as a vehicle may be closer than the mirror suggests.
Understanding what the mirror in your car is called is the first step to using it effectively. The humble side-view mirror is a sophisticated safety device. By knowing its proper name, how to adjust it correctly, and the features available, you can significantly improve your awareness on the road. Regular checks to ensure your mirrors are clean, intact, and properly angled are a simple habit that contributes greatly to safe driving for you and everyone else on the street. Taking a few moments to set them up right can make all the difference.