How should I set the driver’s mirrors to suit my vehicle and seating position?
Quick answer
Park safely and set the driver’s seat and steering position as you normally drive. Then use the mirror-adjustment method and controls described in your owner’s manual to set the rearview and side mirrors. Check that each mirror gives you a useful view from your seated position, and make any fine adjustments while still parked. Mirror layouts and instructions vary by vehicle, and adjustment alone cannot guarantee that every blind area is visible.
The question, the details, the next step.
Where do I start? Should I adjust the mirrors before or after changing the seat?
Start by parking in a safe, stationary place and setting your seat and steering position for normal driving. Sit in your usual posture, then adjust the mirrors; if you later move the seat substantially, recheck them. The correct controls and recommended procedure can differ by vehicle, so find the mirror section of the owner’s manual rather than assuming that a method for another car applies. Chevrolet’s support information directs owners to the applicable manual for vehicle-specific mirror and camera information; it does not establish one setup method for every vehicle. [S1]
Before adjusting, make sure the vehicle is secured as directed in its manual. If the controls are unfamiliar, consult the manual before operating them. Do not try to make adjustments while the vehicle is moving.
What is the actual sequence for the rearview and side mirrors?
Follow the order and any positioning guidance in your manual. A practical parked sequence is:
- Settle into your normal driving posture and confirm you can reach the controls comfortably.
- Adjust the interior rearview mirror, if your vehicle has one, using the method described in the manual. Aim for a useful view behind you from your seated position.
- Use the vehicle’s specified controls to adjust the driver-side mirror. Check its view from your normal posture, not by leaning over to obtain a view you would not have while driving.
- Adjust the passenger-side mirror in the same way, using the manual’s instructions for that mirror.
- Return to your usual posture and review all three views. If one is blocked or poorly positioned, make small changes while still parked and check again.
This is a general organization of the task, not a universal mirror-angle prescription. Vehicles may have different mirror arrangements, controls, or camera features. Use your manual for the exact procedure and features in your vehicle. [S1]
How can I tell whether the positions are useful, and what if I still have a blind area?
From your normal seated position, check that the rearview mirror shows a useful view behind you and that each side mirror shows a useful view to that side, consistent with your manual’s guidance. Look for an obviously obstructed or unhelpful view, then make a small adjustment while parked and reassess. Avoid relying on a mirror setting that only works when you lean or turn away from your normal posture.
Do not treat a mirror adjustment as proof that every area around the vehicle is visible. Mirror adjustment cannot be assumed to eliminate blind zones, and there is no single angle established here as suitable for all vehicles. [S1] Use the awareness and checking practices described in your owner’s manual. If you cannot obtain a clear, useful view, consult the manual or ask a qualified vehicle professional about the vehicle’s mirror setup.
Can you give me a simple check I can keep with the manual?
Use this copyable parked check:
Vehicle: [make/model/year]
Seat set for normal driving: [yes/no]
Manual section checked: [page or heading]
Rearview mirror reviewed from normal posture: [yes/no/not fitted]
Driver-side mirror reviewed: [yes/no]
Passenger-side mirror reviewed: [yes/no]
Views useful and unobstructed: [yes/no]
Follow-up question for a professional: [if needed]
Complete it while parked. If you change your driving position, or discover a view you cannot set usefully, recheck the manual and mirrors before relying on that setup. The checklist records what you checked; it does not certify that all blind areas are visible.
A practical checklist
Park safely and keep the vehicle stationary during adjustments.
Set the seat and steering position to your normal driving posture first.
Find and follow the mirror instructions in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Adjust and review the rearview and side mirrors from your usual seated position.
Recheck the views after any substantial seat-position change.
Ask a qualified vehicle professional if you cannot obtain a useful view.
A few more useful answers
Do all vehicles use the same mirror-adjustment method?
No. Controls, mirror arrangements, and vehicle-specific guidance can differ. Check the owner’s manual for your vehicle; Chevrolet’s support page also directs readers to the applicable manual. [S1]
Can correctly adjusted mirrors eliminate blind spots?
Do not assume so. Mirror adjustment should not be treated as proof that every surrounding area is visible or that blind zones are eliminated. [S1]
Sources
References used for this guide.
- [S1] Mirrors and Cameras | Chevrolet Vehicle Support chevrolet.com · Checked