Myth: Blind Spots in Mirrors (VIDEO) - Blind Spots and Mirrors Myth - In an attempt to lessen lane-changing accidents, some carmakers are utilizing radar to eliminate blind spots that might hide an adjacent vehicle.
Ford has introduced the “Blind Spot Information System,” or BLIS. It uses radar located in each rear-quarter panel to scan for objects between the rear bumper and the outside mirror.
Read more about it and see a video here.
FYI, I have a Chev. Tahoe, when making a left turn from a stop sign there is a blind spot looking out right side between front and second door. It’s even worse when front seat is back, blocking more of the view to the right side between the two doors. With more than a millon miles under my belt I’ve been fortunate to have never caused a wreck, but I have almost been hit twice pulling out in front of someone because of this blind spot. I know you’re asking about Ford vehicles here…thought I would post this anyway. Maybe there are similar problems with Explorers? I have informed my son and wife of this, and being more careful myself. P.S. stop texing while driving…willing to bet that more mishaps are caused by the cell phone that all others combined! (including drinking)
Comment by B noteboom — August 19, 2009 @ 4:54 pm
Absolute blindspot on Exterra! The left frame of the windshield blocks your view of walkers, bicylcles. You have to look around it.
Comment by Mary Bagnato — August 19, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
Hey Dummies! The blind spot is a reality and the New System isn’t really new. Volvo has had a system in place for years. Although the “radar” technology may be something a little newer, Volvo has had “sensors” in place for a while now. The only thing new is that the system is on American Vehicles, and is long overdue.
Comment by Dargon — August 19, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
When driving my Escalade, that “left frame of the windshield, AND THE HUGE SIDE MORROR” have hidden an entire Subaru, at a 4 way stop. I also have to drive with the rear passenger side seat down forward as that seat with the head rest, combined with the side pannel where the air bag are make for a huge blind spot. I’m trading in my car because of blind spots!
Comment by C. Stone — August 19, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
i’ve looked up adjusting mirrors for blind spots online and i’ve found a few that actually work… i own a dodge magnum and with my mirros adjusted PROPERLY have zero blindspots. I can use my mirrors and see a car come up on me from behind and all the way on both sides of my car.
If most people use their sideview mirrors as that SIDEVIEW mirrors instead of trying to see what’s right up on the car in them they’d be able to see what’s going on… alot of people that i talk to about it say they have to see their car in their side view mirrors, not the case.
Comment by oob — August 19, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
I thank that the commites that I havae read on the computer is good. I do not drive at all but I now what is being said there. I have to agree to what is being said here. People need to watch where they drive while they are on the streets, freeways, ect. there might be just one person that looks to see if there is somewhone coming before they crose the street. I’m not saying that all people are bad drivers on the street. I’m saying that there is people that do not care if there is people that are ether walking or on an bike going across the street.
There are kids that play in the streets in front of there house. Some body will see that and run them over and run. That is how some people are. All of us adults where kids at one time or another. The kids today is our tomorrow. They are ether an cop, doctor, lower, teacher, nerse, ect.
Comment by Crystal Harrison — August 19, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
There is a blind spot in the left and right rear quarter between the rear window and the side window of EVERY vehicle ever made. Only a convex (birds-eye) side mirror on the left side will view that area. Period!
Comment by Demitri Stanton — August 19, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
p.s. Turning your head and very briefly looking works too - and, it’s the law in most states.
Comment by Demitri Stanton — August 19, 2009 @ 5:54 pm
“THE PLATZER SYSTEM” Eliminates drivers blind spot.
Sitting normally in the drivers seat; Lean your head against the left front window, then adjust the left side view mirror so you can see the left side of the car. Return to your normal driving position, Now a vehical passing on the left will be visable in the left side view mirror before leaving the inside rear view mirror.
Position your head in the center of the car, adjust the right side view mirror so you can see the right side of the car. Return to your normal driving position, Now a vehical passing on the right will be visable in the right side view mirror before leaving the inside rear view mirror.
Comment by shabby — August 19, 2009 @ 5:54 pm
It is incredible that more people, including car manufactures, do not know how to eliminate blind spots with your side mirrors. Hers is how: While sitting in the drivers seat, place your left cheek against your window and adjust the mirror until you can only see the door handle in the mirror. You should not see any of the side of your vehicle. Now look at the passenger mirror without turning your head and adjust the mirror the same way. Now, while driving, watch a car coming up from either side by first using the rear-view mirror and then when it leaves that mirror, it will be in your side mirror. By the time it leaves your side mirror, you will be able to see the car out your window. The result - no blind spot. Believe it or not, in order to get your mirrors adjusted this way, they will be fully adjusyed that direction in some vehicles. Hope that helps.
Comment by steve — August 19, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
I have used the Platzer system for years and have not had a accident. I read about it in some car mag. It works great!! I have used this on serveral different cars without a ding.
Comment by David Kris — August 19, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
mitsubishi eclipse notorios for bad blind spot
Comment by bob — August 19, 2009 @ 6:24 pm
ALL blind spots can be eliminated. See other comments.
Comment by steve — August 19, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with this method of adjusting mirrors. It does take some getting used to, so give it a couple of weeks before giving up on it. I feel much more comfortable in changing lanes when necessary. It is much better than having to take your eyes off the road ahead and turn and look back to be sure no one is close to you. It is also helpful in backing out of parking spots in a parking lot — you can see if there is someone just starting to walk behind you or if a car behind you is starting to also back out. The only problem is that it does not eliminate blind spots at a stop sign, etc. — you still need to move your head to be sure someone is not in your blind spot before pulling out.
Comment by Donna Brown — August 19, 2009 @ 6:28 pm
Just for the info, too Mary Bagnato. Volvo is part of the Ford brand just as Mazda and Land Rover, so if you get a 09 Mazda 6 in the Grand Touring it comes standard as for Volvo its a option. As for this great technology its GREAT works wonders when I’m driving I got the 09 Mazda6 G-T.
Comment by Joey — August 19, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Side mirrors are for seeing what is in the lane next to you. Not for seeing behind you. Even though I have my mirrors adjusted so that when a car leaves the rear view mirror it is in the side mirror until I can see it beside me, I always also turn my head so I can see next to me before changing lanes. Just double protection.
Comment by Alaskan2 — August 19, 2009 @ 7:05 pm
BLIND SPOTS BEHIND THE DRIVER CAN BE ELIMINATED BY PROPER ADJUSTMENT OF MIRRORS, PERIOD AND POINT BLANK. I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL CARS AND HAVE ADJUSTED MY SIDE MIRRORS TO SEE WHATS BESIDE ME NOT BEHIND ME, NOT TO SEE ANY PART OF MY OWN CAR. IF YOU DO THIS YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO TURN YOUR HEAD OTHER THAN TO LOOK AT THE MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I’M TELLING YOU, LOOK IT UP, IT’S NOT A LIE. IF BLIND SPOTS WERE AN ISSUE WITH INDIVIDUAL CARS THEY WOULDN’T HAVE RELEASED THEM. IT’S PEOPLE BEING STUPID AND CLOSED MINDED ABOUT THINGS, NOT WANTING TO CHANGE THEY WAY THEY DO STUFF… OPEN YOUR EYES THE INFORMATION IS OUT THERE.
Comment by oob — August 19, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
I have an Altima and was almost creamed while merging into the interstate! I had checked both mirrors and turned my head before merging and was nearly ran over by a huge motor home! Never saw anything. I bought the small round stick on mirror and placed in the lower left corner of my side mirror on the drivers side. I will have nothing in the side mirror appear and check the little round one and have had a car right beside me! That little mirror has saved me from a wreak or near misses several times! I think I paid $3 for it!
Comment by bettsue2 — August 19, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
blind spots are real but PROPER MIRROR ADJUSTMENT will help get rid of them. that proper adjustment ALONG WITH THE CONVEX MIRROR (round bulb-like mirrors that stick to your existing side mirrors, about $2 a peice) will allow you to see sooooo much more of the space around your car. oh yeah, there is no need to see your own car in the side mirrors—instread push the mirrors out beyond this point. you will find it helpful.
Comment by chad aronen — August 19, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
Making technology responsible for eliminating blindspot accidents goes back to the beginning, learning to drive properly. You can use either method of mirror adjustment, or advanced technology, to work to eliminate the challenges of blindspots. The challenge is to develop a habit that works - mirrors are great, but it, too, represents a piece of technology that, if not taught properly or misused or not used at all, will result in a planned mishap. There are no accidents.
Most automobiles are beyond the ability of the average driver to use properly, because most people are so poorly taught or not taught at all about what really matters - for example, like how mathematics, if properly taught and understood and applied to driving, would eliminate most of the haste, impatience, and plainly stupid acts such as tailgating. Speaking of not being taught to drive properly where it really matters, most of us spend most of our time on the freeways, but is there anyone out there who was required to take a comprehensive course of training for this? And is this not where we most need to know how to use all of our safety devices quickly and properly - in the fast-moving, fluid environment of the freeway, where most of us spend the most time behind the wheel?
By-the-by, I have been a driving instructor in two States, and I have taught foreign exchange students as well.
Regards,
Comment by Timothy May — August 19, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
oob.. RIGHT ON!!! most people have never learned how to set their mirrors.. and usually set theside mirrors as if they are trying to watch for someone stealing their gas cap…instead of what is in the lane(s) next to them.. you should have to move your head to see the side of your vehicle!! I guess Driver training has failed to educate folks when they learn to drive, along with merging into freeway traffic… and that a YIELD sign on the access road actually mean ALL the lanes on the access road!! not just the lane nearest to the off ramp!!
Comment by Corkyd — August 19, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
Yes, there are blind spots in ALL vehicles. And as for the “New” radar system, Eaton-Vorad has had that available for tractor trailers for many years. Nothing new!!
Comment by Chuck Strunk — August 19, 2009 @ 8:37 pm
I drive a big van with bad blind spots, the fact is blind spot mirrows eliminate blind spots so spend a couple dollars, you will be ok. thats crap leaning your head on the window to adjust the mirrow!!! you still need to see all the way around…….
Comment by steve — August 19, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
Go to cartalk.com and read their instructions on setting your mirrors to eliminate the blind spot. It takes a couple of weeks to get used to it, but I have no blind spot whatsoever on my 1990 Ford truck, 1999 Maxima or 2005 Subaru Forrester.
Comment by Sharon — August 19, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
If you learn to drive you wont have to worrie about blind spots making a left turn from a stop sign ( yes you have a blind spot ) no matter what you are driving. But the Key to that is stopping at the stop sign not rolling pass the stop sign. When we stop AT the stop sign we have a very good chance of seeing if WE have it clear to make a left turn , it is called { seeing if YOU have the Right-a-way be for you make your turn. I know this all to well for I have come out my driveway drove down the street stop at the stop sign and looked both ways how ever the streets are not your normale roads they curve at the cornor where the stop sign is, also there is parking on the street to the right of the stop sign so you really have to stop like you should and look good before making a left turn. Once you see and know that you have the right a way you can make your left turn safely. All Ford and any othe r car maker want to do is make and come out with some extra junk for a car or truck thats going to make the price even higher and cost you more to have fix or replace. Remember those device’s in your tires that are attach to the air vaule stim that montor the tire air pressure guess what they cost $200.00 each thats right $ 200.00 each that $800.00 alone just for that. Not sure if there is a sensor in the spare tire if it is that’s another $200.00 in that donut thing they call a spare tire. You do the math car maker are for ever coming up with gagits that make a car or truck more interesting like a child with a new toy it’s all good in a way but most of it is just extra junk just something that will cost more to fix and /or replace.
Comment by learntodrive — August 19, 2009 @ 9:35 pm
#8 Turning your head to look back IS NOT the law in any state and efforts are made repeatedly in National Safety Council Defense Driving courses telling drivers to never do this. I don’t know where you got this from. Its dangerous. Rear view and side mirrors only. If anyone ever took the driving evaluation for a drivers license, this one action would be an immediate flunk. I don’t want to be argumentative, just letting everyone know.
Comment by Aime Casavant — August 19, 2009 @ 9:38 pm
for all you none driving people out there that are complaining about bline spots here is some information for you. I found this on CNET. Install you a video camara in the back of your car or truck and hook it up to those flat panal dvd screen you have mounted in your dash,head rest, consold than you can see everything behind you. { Laughing }
Comment by learntodrive — August 19, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
The blind spot “theory” is based on people THINKING their mirrors are setup correctly when in reality they aren’t.
I did the thing where you lean toward your window and move the driver side mirror (not mirrow) to where i could barely see the care through that mirror. I then leaned over the center console of my car and adjusted the passenger mirror in the same manner.
You do need to see what’s all the way around your vehicle but you don’t need to see what’s 3 inches away from your rear doors, if somebody is driving that close to you it’s not going to be your fault… if you are in a normal seated position and you look in your sideview mirrors, and you see your own car in them, they are adjusted incorrectly. When your mirrors are adjusted properly it makes lane changes much easier, and safer because you won’t switch until you can see them in your REARVIEW MIRROR.
but then again you still think you’re doing it right and it’s stupid to try something new… Hardheaded Dummies…
Comment by oob — August 19, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
Unless someone discovered a new property of physics there are still blind spots on any vehicle with the standard side view mirror. You can adjust the mirrors to minimize the blind spot but it still exist all the same.
This is the reason the California Vehicle Code also requires drivers to look to the left or right, contrary to comment # 26, prior to a lane change. Side view mirrors only provide a direct line of sight view of the road that covers a limited space.
Also the blind spot does not exist between the rear view mirror and side view mirror. It exist between the side view mirror and the drivers peripheral vision. Once the vehicle has passed the view of the side view mirror it’s up to the drivers peripheral vision to pick up the vehicle out of the corner of their eye.
The reason most people keep a portion of their own vehicle in the mirror is to gauge distance between other vehicles on the road. Side view mirrors are typically convex making objects seem more distant than they actually are. You will often see the warning, “objects in mirror are closer than they appear”. Some people purchase the concave mirrors (cats eye) mirrors to compensate and they do provide a broader view but still have the problem of gauging distance.
I’m sure law may differ slightly in wording from state to state but I’m pretty sure cars in all 50 states are pretty much the same and most of the free world for that matter.
If you have any doubt this subject is easily researchable on line or your local Motor Vehicle Department. This information should be in any driver training booklet.
Comment by Whew — August 20, 2009 @ 1:36 am
AARP has taught the correct way to adjust your mirrors for years in thier safe driving classes, so you might learn from more exprienced drivers.
Comment by ecb — August 20, 2009 @ 1:55 am