View out the back, use of side mirrors, etc.

Jonathan · 01-25-2004, 06:26 PM

Quote:

I am your size. The mirror has 2 joints, if you pull the mirror down as far as it will go and *then* turn it so you can see out the rear window your line of sight goes higher out the back. Learned this from a convertible with a narrow and low rear window.

I am aware of that, I usually pos. mine high for the most fwd vis. under the mirror. I'll have to find a comprimise I guess. Thanks, Jon

HTMLSpinnr · 01-25-2004, 09:46 PM

The problem with this is that for people with EC mirrors, the rear "bar" casts a shadow across the light sensor, preventing the EC mirror from dimming correctly.

Being short, I prefer it lower. However, I found out the hard way about the dimming problem, and have since had to keep the mirror higher, sacrificing "taller" vision. Keeping it lower also puts the mirror more in my forward perepheral vision which "Isn't a Good Thing".

-Rick

JeffG · 01-27-2004, 02:43 PM

Rear visibility is not good. Much worse than other cars I've driven.

Two things help me see better.
1) Fish eye mirrors ($1.97 each) added to each mirror
2) A neck that allows me to turn my head to look in the blind spot.

:wink:

tmorrowus · 01-27-2004, 09:33 PM

In my 1100 mile test drive, I did come away with the feeling that the rear visibility was a problem. Yes, from a technical perspective, I agree that there are no blind spots if you check all the mirrors and turn your head.

I had been in the habit of checking my rear mirror and turning my head when merging lanes right. Checking the right outside mirror wasn't necessary in other cars.

But in the Prius I remember distinctly checking my rearview mirror and then turning my head, twice, to check before merging right at night. Something didn't feel quite right although I didn't see any cars. So I turned my head again and then the SUV whose headlights were in the right rear blind spot had moved forward and I saw it, just as I was about to merge into it.

That experience taught me that I need to use my right outside mirror, and using that as well I feel it's possible to merge safely. But still, the right mirror isn't ideal; it's small image is harder to process and it's harder to figure out where the cars that appear in that mirror actually are. And taking the time to look at it (in addition to the center mirror and head turning) means less time looking forward which could increase my chance of running into someone in front who suddenly slammed on their brakes.

The other issue with the Prius is simply that there's a lot going on to distract you back there. The spoiler bar, the wiper, wiper motor, the triangular blindspot shapes. All these things are geometric shapes that tend to distract the eye. I'm sure with time I'll adapt and this won't be as much of an issue, but it is worth mentioning to someone considering this car.

Thanks for the tips on setting the mirrors. That's definitely worth experimenting with.

But I still will sometimes need the right outside mirror pointing back for pulling out of parallel parking spaces on one way streets when there's vehicles blocking my back view. I suppose I can temporarily readjust the mirror for that.

01-25-2004, 09:46 PM	#12
HTMLSpinnr Gen III Forums Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 4,074 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 216 Thanked 437 Times in 196 Posts Friends: 18	Lower isn't better... The problem with this is that for people with EC mirrors, the rear "bar" casts a shadow across the light sensor, preventing the EC mirror from dimming correctly. Being short, I prefer it lower. However, I found out the hard way about the dimming problem, and have since had to keep the mirror higher, sacrificing "taller" vision. Keeping it lower also puts the mirror more in my forward perepheral vision which "Isn't a Good Thing". -Rick

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01-27-2004, 02:43 PM	#13
JeffG Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Middle Tennessee USA Posts: 94 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Rear visibility is not good. Much worse than other cars I've driven. Two things help me see better. 1) Fish eye mirrors ($1.97 each) added to each mirror 2) A neck that allows me to turn my head to look in the blind spot. :wink:

01-27-2004, 09:33 PM	#14
tmorrowus Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 444 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	In my 1100 mile test drive, I did come away with the feeling that the rear visibility was a problem. Yes, from a technical perspective, I agree that there are no blind spots if you check all the mirrors and turn your head. I had been in the habit of checking my rear mirror and turning my head when merging lanes right. Checking the right outside mirror wasn't necessary in other cars. But in the Prius I remember distinctly checking my rearview mirror and then turning my head, twice, to check before merging right at night. Something didn't feel quite right although I didn't see any cars. So I turned my head again and then the SUV whose headlights were in the right rear blind spot had moved forward and I saw it, just as I was about to merge into it. That experience taught me that I need to use my right outside mirror, and using that as well I feel it's possible to merge safely. But still, the right mirror isn't ideal; it's small image is harder to process and it's harder to figure out where the cars that appear in that mirror actually are. And taking the time to look at it (in addition to the center mirror and head turning) means less time looking forward which could increase my chance of running into someone in front who suddenly slammed on their brakes. The other issue with the Prius is simply that there's a lot going on to distract you back there. The spoiler bar, the wiper, wiper motor, the triangular blindspot shapes. All these things are geometric shapes that tend to distract the eye. I'm sure with time I'll adapt and this won't be as much of an issue, but it is worth mentioning to someone considering this car. Thanks for the tips on setting the mirrors. That's definitely worth experimenting with. But I still will sometimes need the right outside mirror pointing back for pulling out of parallel parking spaces on one way streets when there's vehicles blocking my back view. I suppose I can temporarily readjust the mirror for that.