Properly adjusted mirrors vastly improve safety

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MS -- Millions of motor vehicle accidents occur each year. While the motor vehicle industry places a great emphasis on safety, it's ultimately up to motorists to ensure their vehicle is as safe as possible.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120919/NY75669 )

Mirrors are an often overlooked aspect of safe driving. Properly adjusted rearview and side view mirrors improve visibility by reducing blind spots, which in turn reduces a driver's risk of being in an accident, especially on multi-lane highways where drivers may be forced to keep tabs on fellow motorists on both sides of their vehicles. When adjusting mirrors, consider the following tips to ensure your vehicle is as safe as possible.

* Ensure optimal visibility from the interior rearview mirror. A properly adjusted rearview mirror allows drivers to see what's alongside and behind them, improving road awareness while reducing the risk of an accident. Most drivers know the rearview mirror should allow them to see out of the rear window from the driver's seat. But it's also important to utilize the day/night switch found on most rearview mirrors. Such a switch isn't an unnecessary accessory, but one that can reduce glare from cars behind you at night.

* Firmly secure the rearview mirror. Unfortunately, rearview mirrors are not always sturdy, as many vehicle manufacturers attach the rearview mirror to the windshield with a special button that is glued to the glass at the factory. This glue can come undone when drivers hit a pothole or just gradually weaken thanks to the ravages of heat, humidity or cold weather.

When a rearview mirror comes unglued, drivers often look to a quick, yet temporary, solution like super glue or a high-strength adhesive. Such quick fixes are ineffective over the long haul, and drivers might find themselves driving down the street without a rearview mirror. Permatex® Rearview Mirror Adhesive was designed specifically for motorists looking for a permanent fix that ensures the rearview mirror will stay attached to the windshield regardless of external factors like the weather or poor road conditions. The adhesive employs a special formula that can easily withstand changing weather conditions and the thermal expansion that typically renders other glues and adhesives useless.

* Don't overlook side view mirrors. A 1995 study from the Society of Automotive Engineers noted that, when positioned correctly, side view mirrors can help drivers see vehicles in their blind spots, eliminating a driver's need to glance over his or her shoulder when changing lanes.

When adjusting the driver's side mirror, place the side of your head against the window, then adjust the mirror until the side of your vehicle comes into view. To adjust the passenger's side mirror, sit in the driver's seat, and then lean to the right so that your head is in the car's centerline. Adjust the mirror until the side of your vehicle comes into view.

More information on products that can improve vehicle safety is available at www.permatex.com.

SOURCE Permatex