Start with the seat, not the mirrors
Mirrors only work properly if you are sitting in a stable, consistent position. For that reason, adjust the seat and steering wheel first, and the mirrors last. If you change your seating position afterward, the mirrors will no longer be aimed correctly and you will need to adjust them again.
It is worth doing this every time someone else has driven the car, and occasionally even when no one has, because seats can shift and habits creep in.
Set the seat
Work through these in order, and make small changes.
- Height. Raise the seat, if it is adjustable, until you have a clear view over the dashboard and the road close to the front of the car, while still leaving a little room between your head and the roof. Sitting too low limits your view and makes it harder to judge the corners of the car.
- Distance from the pedals. Slide the seat so that you can press the brake pedal fully to the floor without straining and with a slight bend left in your knee. Your leg should not be fully straight.
- Backrest angle. Set the backrest fairly upright, so your shoulders rest against it. Reclining far back may feel relaxed, but it usually reduces control and can make it harder to reach the wheel and check over your shoulder.
- Lumbar support and cushion tilt, if available. Adjust these so your thighs are supported and your lower back is comfortable. Comfort matters, because a driver who is uncomfortable tends to shift and slouch, which changes the view.
- Head restraint. Raise it so that the middle of the restraint is roughly level with the back of your head, and keep it fairly close. Its main job is protection in a rear impact, so check your owner’s manual for specific guidance. It also relates to the way safety features work together.
Set the steering wheel
If your wheel adjusts for height and reach:
- Move it so you can see all the gauges and warning lights without the rim blocking them.
- Position it so that, with your back against the seat, your wrists can rest on the top of the rim with your arms slightly bent.
- Aim the wheel more toward your chest than your face. Many drivers find that this works well with airbags, though the manual remains the best source for your vehicle.
Check that you can turn the wheel fully without pulling your shoulders away from the backrest.
Set the interior rear-view mirror
With your head in a normal driving position, tilt the mirror so that the rear window fills as much of it as possible. You should be able to see straight back without moving your head. If your car has a dimming switch, or an automatic dimming mirror, use it at night to reduce glare. Our notes on night driving cover this further.
Set the side mirrors
Many drivers aim the side mirrors so that they can see the side of their own car. That is natural, but it means the mirror duplicates part of what the interior mirror already shows and leaves a larger blind area beside the car.
A commonly taught alternative is to set the side mirrors further outward:
- Lean your head toward the driver’s window until it almost touches the glass. Adjust the driver’s side mirror until you can only just see the side of your car at the inner edge.
- Lean your head toward the center of the car, above the center console. Adjust the passenger’s side mirror the same way.
- Return to your normal position. The side of your own car should now be barely visible or not visible at all.
With this setup, a vehicle passing you typically appears in the interior mirror, then slides into the side mirror, so there is less of a gap between the two. This approach is widely recommended but takes a short time to get used to, particularly if you are accustomed to seeing your own car in the mirror. Give it a few days and check, in a safe setting, that you can follow a passing car from one mirror to the next. Mirror shapes and vehicle sizes differ, so you may need small adjustments.
It still does not eliminate every blind spot, so keep checking over your shoulder before moving, as described in blind spots.
Check the final result
Before driving, confirm:
- You can see the road ahead, the dashboard and all three mirrors without leaning.
- You can reach the pedals, the controls on the wheel and the gear selector comfortably.
- You can turn your head to look over each shoulder without discomfort.
- Seat belt sits flat across the middle of your shoulder and low across your hips, not on your neck or your stomach. If your car has a belt-height adjuster, use it.
Other visibility factors
Adjustments help only if you can see through the glass. Clean the inside and outside of the windshield, windows and mirrors, since film from interior plastics can cause glare. In cold or damp weather, clear fog and frost fully, using the methods covered under defrosting windows. Remove items hanging from the mirror or stacked on the rear shelf that block the view.
If you are particularly tall or short, or have limited mobility, check whether your car offers extra adjustments such as height-adjustable pedals or additional seat controls. Some drivers use firm cushions or supports, but make sure they do not alter belt fit or restrict pedal movement, and seek advice from a qualified professional if you have specific medical or physical needs.
Make it a routine
Setting up your driving position takes a minute or two. Do it at the start of a trip if anything has changed, and then leave the controls alone while moving. Cars with memory seats can store your preferred settings, which is helpful when a car is shared. A well-adjusted driving position helps you see more, stay comfortable and keep control, which supports the rest of your driving habits.