Most people may assume that rear-view mirrors are just an ordinary car part; however, these devices play a big role in ensuring safety while driving. They must ensure that, while changing lanes, performing reverse, overtaking, or driving on the highway, the driver can clearly see everything behind the car.
Earlier, rear-view mirrors were mostly basic reflective glass. Today, they come in many forms. Some reduce glare at night. Some can be adjusted electrically. Some fold automatically. Some show a wider field of view. Some even use cameras and screens instead of only glass. This means the rear-view mirror is no longer just one mirror inside the cabin. It is now part of a larger visibility system.
In the majority of cars, rear-view visibility consists of three main components: the interior rear-view mirror, the exterior rear-view mirrors, and camera systems. Each component is created for a specific purpose. The inside mirror shows what is behind the vehicle, while the side mirrors check what is next to and behind the car. Cameras and sensors are used when parking, when going in reverse, and when checking blind spots.
This guide explains the different types of rearview mirrors, how they work, where they are used, and which type is best for different driving needs.
Table of Contents
What Is a Rear View Mirror?
A rear view mirror enables the driver to see what is happening behind the vehicle. The standard rearview mirror in your car, in most cases, is the one inside the vehicle near the windshield. Nevertheless, the term is often applied in practice to both side mirrors, providing a view behind both doors of the vehicle.
The purpose is simple: the driver should not have to keep turning around to see what is happening behind the car. A properly adjusted rear view mirror helps the driver monitor traffic, judge gaps, reverse safely, and stay aware of vehicles approaching from behind.
Nevertheless, having a single mirror is not sufficient. This interior rear-view mirror displays only the area behind the rear window and does not provide a full view of the environment next to the car. This is the reason why additional outside mirrors, blind-spot mirrors, reverse cameras, and 360-degree cameras are used in cars.
Interior Rear View Mirror
The interior rear view mirror, often called the IRVM, is mounted inside the cabin, usually near the top centre of the windshield. It shows the view through the rear windshield and helps the driver see vehicles directly behind the car.
This rearview mirror is the simplest and most common type and is available in all cars. It is helpful on busy streets and highways, when slowing down, and during reverse. It lets the driver observe the vehicles coming too closely from behind.
The IRVM works best when the rear windshield view is clear. If passengers, headrests, luggage, or a small rear window block the view, the mirror becomes less useful. This is one reason why some modern cars now offer digital rear view mirrors or rear camera systems.
An ideal IRVM should be set up correctly to give a complete view of the rear view screen without the need to turn the head too much. An incorrect mirror setting will show unnecessary roof or cabin.
Manual Day/Night Rear View Mirror
A manual day/night rear view mirror is a basic anti-glare mirror. It usually has a small lever or tab at the bottom. During the day, it works like a normal mirror. At night, the driver can flip the lever to reduce glare from the headlights of vehicles behind.
Budget and entry-level cars generally come with this kind of mirror. It is quite simple, inexpensive, and efficient. There are no sensors or electronics in it; therefore, there are few chances that it will ever fail.
The main benefit is glare reduction. When a vehicle behind uses high beam, the driver can switch the mirror to night mode and reduce the reflected brightness. This helps reduce eye strain and makes night driving more comfortable.
The only problem with this mirror is that it requires manual adjustment. The driver needs to pull the lever when the glare is annoying and move it back later. Nevertheless, it is still one of the best basic safety features in many vehicles.
Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror
An auto-dimming rear view mirror reduces glare automatically. It uses sensors to detect bright headlights from vehicles behind and darkens the mirror surface without the driver needing to touch anything.
This particular kind of mirror belongs to high-end cars. It is helpful on a night road, while driving on highways, or driving on urban roads with bright headlights.
The biggest advantage is convenience. The driver does not need to keep adjusting the mirror manually. When glare increases, the mirror darkens. When glare reduces, it returns to normal. This makes night driving easier and less tiring.
Switching auto-dimming mirrors is not simply a luxury feature. It provides comfort and allows the driver to better see cars in the back. In various premium automobiles, auto-dimming technology is also used in side-view mirrors.
Digital Rear View Mirror
A digital rear view mirror uses a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle and displays the live feed on the mirror screen. It can often switch between a normal mirror view and a camera-based digital view.
This type of mirror is very useful when the regular rear view is blocked. For example, if the rear window is blocked by passengers sitting at the back and by cargo on the rear window, a regular mirror will not work well enough. The virtual mirror, which remedies this problem, is fitted with cameras at the back of the vehicle.
Digital rear view mirrors can offer a wider and clearer view behind the vehicle. They are especially useful in SUVs, MPVs, and cars with thick pillars or small rear windows.
However, using them takes a while to get accustomed to. The display proves to be somewhat different from the traditional mirror setup and requires training for some drivers to understand distance and movement through it properly.
Outside Rear View Mirrors / ORVMs
Outside rear view mirrors, commonly called ORVMs, are mounted on both sides of the car. These mirrors show traffic beside and behind the vehicle. They are essential for lane changes, overtaking, parking, and turning.
The interior rear view mirror only gives the driver what is straight ahead behind the car, while the ORVMs prove their significance by showing the side and rear regions. If the ORVMs are not appropriately adjusted, the driver might miss out on vehicles in the neighbouring lanes.
ORVMs are especially useful in Indian driving conditions because traffic often comes from multiple angles. Two-wheelers, cars, buses, and autos may move close to the side of the vehicle, so good side visibility matters.
A well-adjusted ORVM must show an insignificant amount of the vehicle’s body and a comprehensive view of the lane adjacent to it. If the mirror displays a great share of the vehicle, it may lead to a lack of side visibility. If it does not show any part of the vehicle, judging distances while parking becomes a harder task.
Flat Side Mirrors
A flat side mirror gives a more accurate view of distance and object size. Vehicles seen in a flat mirror appear closer to their actual size and distance. This helps the driver judge how far another vehicle is before changing lanes or overtaking.
Flat mirrors are beneficial on the driver’s side as proper distance estimation is necessary. The driver needs to determine if the vehicle behind him is too close for a lane change.
The limitation of a flat mirror is its narrower field of view. It does not show as much area as a convex mirror. So, while it is better for distance judgment, it may not cover as much of the blind spot.
That is one of the reasons why some vehicles incorporate a combination of varying types of mirrors. One could give importance to accuracy while another could be directed towards offering a broader view.
Convex Side Mirrors
A convex mirror curves outward. This shape helps it show a wider area than a flat mirror. Convex mirrors are commonly used on passenger-side ORVMs and commercial vehicles because they improve side visibility.
A convex mirror has the greatest benefit of offering more field of view. An added benefit is allowing the driver to easily view more of a lane next to the vehicle and minimising the chances of missing any cars behind the vehicle.
The trade-off is distance judgment. Objects in a convex mirror can appear smaller or farther away than they actually are. That is why drivers need to be careful while using convex mirrors for lane changes.
While convex mirrors are advantageous, using them should not replace checking mirrors and shoulders. They improve visibility, but one still needs to safely assess the speed and distance of the moving objects.
Blind Spot Mirrors
Blind spot mirrors are small convex mirrors added to the corner of an ORVM or integrated into the mirror glass. Their purpose is to show areas that may not be clearly visible in the main side mirror.
In automotive terminology, the blind spot is defined as an area within the vicinity of the vehicle that cannot be seen by the driver through the windshield, rear view and side mirrors. This is particularly dangerous in situations when the driver is changing lanes since the vehicle may be nearby, but it will be out of sight of the main mirror.
Blind spot mirrors are useful in city traffic and on highways. They can help drivers spot two-wheelers, cars, and other vehicles moving beside them. They are also useful for new drivers who are still learning mirror judgment.
In relation to this, it is evident that blind spots are located in small areas and should be only considered as a helper and not as the only source of information. Rather, it is advisable for the driver to use the main mirror, signal and check the rear if necessary.
Electric ORVMs
Electric ORVMs can be adjusted using switches inside the cabin. The driver does not need to roll down the window or manually push the mirror glass from outside.
This comes in handy in situations where more than a single individual operates the same vehicle. This makes it possible to make the necessary adjustments to the mirrors every driver requires since he or she can get it done from his or her driving position.
Electric ORVMs do not directly improve visibility on their own, but they make adjusting the mirrors easier. And correct mirror adjustment is a key part of safe driving.
This particular feature is becoming commonplace in many vehicles already, even those in the most affordable-of-affordable categories. It is one of those features that, while it might not seem important at first, becomes appreciated the more time one spends using it.
Power-Folding ORVMs
Power-folding ORVMs can fold electronically using a button or automatically when the car is locked. This feature is especially useful in crowded cities, narrow parking spaces, basement parking, and tight roads.
The key benefit is safety. Foldaway mirrors are less prone to getting damaged by moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, or other accidents linked to parking. The auto-folding ORVMs also help in giving instant visual evidence that the vehicle is locked.
Power-folding mirrors do not improve rear visibility while driving. Their role is mainly convenience and mirror protection.
In Indian cities, this is particularly helpful as parking spots are not spacious and traffic flows very close to parked vehicles.
Heated ORVMs
Heated ORVMs use a heating element behind the mirror glass to clear fog, mist, frost, or moisture. They are useful in cold, rainy, or humid conditions where mirror visibility can reduce quickly.
Heated mirrors are not as frequent in India as electric ORVMs or power folding ORVMs are. They do have use in hill stations, cold climates, heavy rain areas, and places with fog.
The benefit is simple: the mirror remains clearer when weather conditions reduce visibility. This helps the driver use the side mirrors without repeatedly wiping them.
Heated mirrors are commonly found on luxury vehicles or on higher models, and while it is unnecessary for the majority of city inhabitants, it does provide advantages for some geographical features and driving conditions.
Camera-Based Rear Visibility Systems
Camera-based systems are not traditional mirrors, but they now play a major role in rear visibility. These include rear parking cameras, 360-degree cameras, blind spot cameras, and digital mirror systems.
The use of a rear camera while reversing can be a great asset. The camera can reveal the portion behind the car that cannot be seen using the rearview mirror. The use of such cameras becomes indispensable while parking the car, identifying whether the rear wall is obstructed or hazards exist in the blind zone of the vehicle.
A 360-degree camera system uses multiple cameras to create a top-down view of the car and its surroundings. This is very useful in tight parking spaces, narrow lanes, and crowded areas.
Blind spot cameras will show the feed from the live camera installed on the side of the vehicle when the turning signal is activated. Newer vehicle models are rapidly adopting this technology as it reduces the chances of missing vehicles in the adjacent lanes.
Camera systems do not make mirrors useless. Instead, they support mirrors. The safest setup is a combination of mirrors, cameras, sensors, and careful driver checks.
Which Rear View Mirror Type Is Best?
| Driving Need | Best Mirror Type |
| Basic everyday driving | Interior rear view mirror + ORVMs |
| Night driving | Auto-dimming mirror or manual day/night mirror |
| City lane changes | ORVMs with blind spot mirrors |
| Highway driving | Auto-dimming IRVM and well-adjusted ORVMs |
| Parking in tight spaces | ORVMs with rear camera or 360-degree camera |
| Foggy, rainy, or cold areas | Heated ORVMs |
| Cars with poor rear visibility | Digital rear view mirror |
| Multiple drivers using one car | Electric ORVMs |
| Narrow parking areas | Power-folding ORVMs |
There is no single best rear view mirror for every car. Each type solves a different problem.
For most vehicles, an ideal configuration includes a clean internal rear view mirror, ORVMs in the right position, and a rear camera. In case you are driving at night, an automatic dimming mirror will be of great help. A blind spot mirror and 360-degree camera can help while driving in cities, whereas heated mirrors are necessary for cold and rainy regions.
If you are buying a car, do not look at mirrors as small features. A good mirror and camera setup can make daily driving much easier and safer.
FAQ about Types of Rear View Mirrors
Q. What is a rear view mirror in a car?
A rear view mirror helps the driver see the area behind the vehicle. In most cars, this includes the inside rear view mirror and the outside rear view mirrors.
Q. What is the difference between IRVM and ORVM?
IRVM means inside rear view mirror. It is mounted inside the cabin and shows the view through the rear windshield. ORVM means outside rear view mirror. These are mounted on the doors and show the side and rear-side view.
Q. What is a manual day/night mirror?
A manual day/night mirror has a small lever that lets the driver reduce headlight glare at night. It is a simple anti-glare mirror commonly found in many cars.
Q. What is an auto-dimming rear view mirror?
An auto-dimming rear view mirror automatically darkens when it detects bright headlights from vehicles behind. It helps reduce glare and makes night driving more comfortable.
Q. What is a digital rear view mirror?
A digital rear view mirror uses a rear camera feed and displays it on the mirror screen. It is useful when passengers, luggage, or small rear windows block the normal rear view.
Q. What is a blind spot mirror?
A blind spot mirror is a small convex mirror added to the ORVM. It helps show areas beside the car that may not be visible in the main side mirror.
Q. Are convex mirrors better than flat mirrors?
Convex mirrors show a wider area, but they can make objects look farther away. Flat mirrors give better distance judgment but show a narrower view. Both have different uses.
Q. Are heated ORVMs useful in India?
Heated ORVMs are useful in cold, foggy, rainy, or humid conditions. They may not be essential for all Indian cities, but they are helpful in hill stations, monsoon-heavy areas, and colder regions.
Q. Do rear cameras replace rear view mirrors?
No. Rear cameras support mirrors, especially while reversing and parking. Drivers should still use the IRVM, ORVMs, camera view, and shoulder checks together.
