It’s a good idea to keep your eyes open on the road ahead while driving. Actually, it’s just as critical to keep tabs on what is coming up behind you.

Most cars today have a rearview mirror and an outside mirror on either side of the car. Properly used, they can give a driver an effective view of what is approaching from behind. Proper usage, however, goes beyond regularly checking the mirrors; proper usage starts with proper adjustment. Properly adjusted, the three mirrors will provide as complete a view of what is behind your car as possible. In the process, they’ll reduce the areas commonly known as blind spots.

A blind spot is that region behind your car that you can’t see in your mirrors. But, if you adjust your mirrors correctly, you can almost eliminate blind spots. When you eliminate blind spots you eliminate the possibility that you’ll have an accident because you didn’t see what was in your blind spot. You could still have an accident because you didn’t look but if you take the time to adjust your mirrors properly, you’re probably the kind of driver who will take the time to look before you move.

So, how do you properly adjust your mirrors? First, consider that you most likely have three mirrors on your car; it’s not real effective if they all show the same area behind your car. In other words, for your mirrors to provide the best possible view behind your car it’s a good idea to avoid duplicity. Also, keep in mind that the view provided by the mirrors is based on the angle in which the driver looks at the mirror. Mirrors should be adjusted for each individual driver.

To adjust the rearview mirror, while seated in the driver’s seat, move the mirror until its view is centered out the back window and you can just see the trunk lid. Then move the mirror so the view is slightly higher.

To adjust the side mirrors, the key here is that you’re not adjusting the mirrors so you can look at your own car. You may love the shiny finish on your car, and we hope that you do. But, wait until you park somewhere and then get out if you want to admire the paint job.

For your mirror’s sake, adjustment means moving it out to the point where you can’t see your car. If you do this on both sides, when a car moves out from your view in the rearview mirror it will move into the drivers or passengers side mirrors.

For more information about Performance Unlimited, visit www.4performanceunlimited.comor call 815-728-0343.