Small stick-on convex mirrors; Yes or No?

auto_idiot (auto_idiot) 2014-02-13 05:21:38 +0500 #1

As I'm very interested in cars, I can catch anything unusual/new in a vehicle. I first noticed this thing while I was watching a documentary on TV in 2006, the truck shown in that documentary had that small convex mirror. Since it was based on Oklahoma city bombing, they didn't mentioned what's the use of that tinny mirror. I was curious but since the exams were going on I forgot it. But a few days ago, I saw a Suzuki Swift with the same mirror on passenger side parked outside a market.

Then I started looking every vehicle for that mirror. Surprisingly, I was able to spot many vehicles including Corolla, Civic, Cultus and even Suzuki Carry pickups (driven by UNPARH DRIVERS ) I google it and found that the mirrors are supposed to reduce BLIND SPOTS behind you and you (may) drive safer when these mirrors are glued on your side mirrors.

I also visited car accessories shops, a normal (made in China) pair costs you around 150 Rupees while the Malaysian/Thai pair of convex mirrors will be available in 400-500 Rupees.

As I already mentioned the advantage, now coming to the DISADVANTAGES I leave this thing to the expert members. One obvious disadvantage is that the surface area of your side mirror will be REDUCED and it may CONFUSE the driver for some time untill he gets used to it.

Now the questions are,

1) Is it advisable to stick the convex mirror on your car?

2) If yes, then which side? Driver, passenger, or both?

3) Inside the wing mirror or Outside?

4) Good for busy urban road users or for long travelers on fast highways and motorways?

Last but not least,

5) Is it also a good idea to stick one on your central rear-view mirror?

auto_idiot (auto_idiot) 2014-02-13 05:50:54 +0500 #2

inner edge or outer edge? and if it is a truck style mirror (like Suzuki Pickup/Van) then will it better work on upper edge or lower will be okay? I found most on outer edges and in long truck style mirrors, they stick it on lower edge . . .

faiz.aslam.121 (Faiz Aslam) 2014-02-13 06:05:33 +0500 #3

I don't really need these tbh. I just stick my head out or give indicators very early.
Nice share though. Trucks need this kind of stuff, almost got squashed by one. Luckily I kept my hand on the horn so He noticed... lol.

Ezaaan (Ezaaan) 2014-02-13 07:20:05 +0500 #4

Well, my surf used to have this. Long gone now. And, actually it was helpful. It was just on the right side mirror and it was helpful in this case that back tyre gets visible.

Sent from my IM-A830L using Tapatalk

waseef (waseef) 2014-02-13 07:52:58 +0500 #5

Iam using these blind spot mirrors in my corolla xli, its very useful. i have these on both sides, in both mirrors i can seee rear wheel. very useful while reversing..

topcat (topcat) 2014-02-13 08:24:14 +0500 #6

I would love to get these mirrors in Pakistan. I had it installed in all my previous cars when I was abroad and they are pretty good specially if you are driving a bigger car like SUV's etc.

Now my opinion/experience for you inquiry are

1) Is it advisable to stick the convex mirror on your car?
Sure

2) If yes, then which side? Driver, passenger, or both?
Both Side

3) Inside the wing mirror or Outside?
Outer bottom edge worked for me - Just like Waseef

4) Good for busy urban road users or for long travelers on fast highways and motorways?
works for quick blind spot glance on any road specially highhways but if you are not use to it I would still prefer the turn you neck and look approach. Mirrors are not a replacement for turn your neck and look approach but an added safety option .

Last but not least,

5) Is it also a good idea to stick one on your central rear-view mirror?
never used or seen any one doing that

awais.9 (awais Khalid ) 2014-02-13 09:38:58 +0500 #7

can u post a pic on driving side showing how it shows the wheel,i once saw it in car,now em interested as well

fazalwahab11375 (fazalwahab11375) 2014-02-13 09:46:40 +0500 #8

There is numerous online discussion on it. Proper mirror adjustment will be much better. The stick on mirror will help too.

I had a serious crash due to blind spots.
Properly adjusting your side and rear view mirror will help you more. try it and you will see the difference. https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/news-articles-driver-education-safety/202124-blind-spots-danger-how-remain-safe-roads

auto_idiot (auto_idiot) 2014-02-13 11:43:37 +0500 #9

Yes, it's mainly designed for bigger vehicles! Thanks God you didn't got hit!

That's the point! We have many uncovered manholes and tire killing things on Pakistani roads :o

As I mentioned in main thread, you can find normal quality in 150 Rs per pair and good pair of mirrors may cost you around 400rs. You didn't but I did see a central rearview mirror with watch and thermometer on other side in a Datsun 120-Y taxi few years ago

Please see the THIRD (3rd) picture in the main thread above, you'll see how it works

Right side? they say it's more useful on passenger side though.

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2014-02-13 11:46:36 +0500 #10

these are good for the driver side mirrors in the USA because the driver side mirror in the US is a stupid piece of scrap plane mirror. It has a giant blind spot unless you contort sideways.

auto_idiot (auto_idiot) 2014-02-13 12:01:36 +0500 #11

......

auto_idiot (auto_idiot) 2014-02-13 12:09:45 +0500 #12

Sir if you had seen Suzuki FX side mirrors, you'd forget American side mirrors blindspot issue

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2014-02-13 12:26:34 +0500 #13

oh yes - those are the worst mirrors, but I do know that a certain brand of mirrors for the suzuki FX which had convex mirrors. They usually were double the cost of the regular ones.

awais.9 (awais Khalid ) 2014-02-13 13:14:17 +0500 #14

@auto_idiot
if u mean last pic in first post,then it isnt clear

btw are you going for them?

having them would mean a little area covered on the mirror as well but if that shows the car full till back then that'd be great

waseef (waseef) 2014-02-13 13:58:08 +0500 #15

@Chaudhary9 here you go. im using it from last 2 years. on both side you can easily see your rear tyre, thus u go bindas in reverse. they are rotatable and adjustable.

waseef (waseef) 2014-02-13 14:04:26 +0500 #16

Rear tyre encircled,

auto_idiot (auto_idiot) 2014-02-18 04:47:58 +0500 #17

@ Waseef

Nicely explained! You must have ground vision while reversing your vehicle for maximum safety and these mirrors are made for many purpose including this one!

So far, the verdict is YES, it's good to use them, but if you have SUZUKI FX like small mirrors, I doubt if it may does more bad than good by making the small mirror even smaller!

awais.9 (awais Khalid ) 2014-02-18 05:17:26 +0500 #18

thanks for the pic
i noticed the tyre though i was expecting more of it to be visible
this helps in spotting blind spots n anything else too?

auto_idiot (auto_idiot) 2014-02-18 05:54:19 +0500 #19

@chaudhary9

Whenever you visit Rawalpindi Saddar, go to car accessories shops opposite Kamaran Market. You'll find a pair in 150 Rupees. Buy it, try it and if you don'kt like it, remove the mirrors and give it to your kids for fun

Anyway, you have to be little more cautious during first few days of driving after adding the mirrors. That's what the international driving experts say, you'll get used to it in no time and you will have a better rear view

awais.9 (awais Khalid ) 2014-02-18 06:03:14 +0500 #20

my kids lol
em far from even being married

yea it'll be hard seeing something occupying space of ur mirror that u r not used to esp when you use your mirrors alot
i dont think i'll be going there anytime there either

btw tell me u do have tried them by now then?