# Placement of convex mirrors on a car **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 6, 2011, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placement-of-convex-mirrors-on-a-car/602046 "2011-11-06T11:20:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placement-of-convex-mirrors-on-a-car/602046/1 "2011-11-06T11:20:04Z")
There are supplementary mirrors, with adhesive backing, available to put on the side mirrors of a car, to improve the view. I have heard several different and contradictory opinions: [ol] [li]Put the convex mirror on the lower inside corner of the side mirror.[/li][li]Put the convex mirror on the lower outside corner of the side mirror.[/li][li]I have also heard a version advising to put the mirrors in the trunk of one’s car, stay home, & have a beer, but we shall ignore that one.[/li][/ol] Since Versions #1 and #2 seem to have an equal number of adherents, I’m guessing that their advice isn’t well-informed. So, Dopers: where _does one_ place the mirrors? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placement-of-convex-mirrors-on-a-car/602046/2 "2011-11-06T12:51:21Z")
Put it on such that it solves a blind spot problem, but allows you to use the less-convex or non-convex mirror you already have to effectively see down the road and curbs and such. So you know, on my Ram truck, the standard passenger side mirror in standard non-towing position has the convex part farthest from the driver and a standard non-convex mirror closest. When towing, the mirrors flip such that the convex part is on top, and the non-convex part is on the bottom. This is okay, because it widens the view of both… but if you are just slapping a round one onto a current setup, the… It rarely makes sense to put the convex part closest to the driver… as a greater % of it will just reflect the side of the car/vehicle/whatever. I live by my mirrors to tow a variety of boats, etc… so, convex should be farthest from you in most applications… or you’ll just reflect big chunks of your car door… . ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placement-of-convex-mirrors-on-a-car/602046/3 "2011-11-06T17:31:44Z")
My brand-new 2012 Ford Mustang came with small convex mirrors pre-installed on the side mirrors. They’re in the outside lower corners, for what that’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placement-of-convex-mirrors-on-a-car/602046/4 "2011-11-06T17:43:56Z")
I just had to replace mine. Used one for years. It is a “wedge” type rather than the circular form. So placement on the mirror has no real affect on what is visible in the wedge mirror. I put in in the lower inside since that part usually shows a bit of car side and some pavement. Further out it would block more of the interesting stuff to the left rear. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placement-of-convex-mirrors-on-a-car/602046/5 "2011-11-06T18:37:43Z")
It depends on the car. Place the mirror where it will eliminate the blind spot for you. Every car and every driver are different. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placement-of-convex-mirrors-on-a-car/602046/6 "2011-11-06T18:40:29Z")
Somehow I read this as “Placement of convex mirrors on a cat”. Seems like a good idea to me. 😃