I can’t see out of this car!

Not a complaint (I love the Z), just an observation.

This car has more blind-spots than an 18 wheeler. Of course, the “looking thru a mail-slot” rearview mirror was something I knew about beforehand, after reading all the Z forums. But after endless adjustments to the side mirrors, I’m still uncomfortable with lane changes. I check, double check, and triple check before I change lanes in traffic!

And another thing, because I sit so low, the side mirrors themselves are blind spots! The side mirrors are right at my eye level so when I turn or when traffic is approaching from right or left, they both block my line of vision. Maybe I am just to short!

Any comments on how you all adjust your mirrors would be helpful.
Thanks guys… Love this Z!

Peace

 

You can adjust the height of the seat using the **** side of the seat. That might help eliminate the problem caused by the mirrors being at eye level.

 

Check this post https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....adjust+mirrors. Scroll down and look for Vlads links to another post. Also do search for mirrors or blind spots. I know this has already been covered.

 

i agree marhot...ive been driving this car for about a month now...ill be honest...im really glad that this isnt the first car i ever drove..otherwise id be a big ***** driver....i guess after two days i just got used to all teh blind spots



"sit low...and go"

and yes....the seat does sit a little low..even wen its at its peak height....and yes the mirrors do block vision..especially on turns...but youll get used to it....dont let these things bother you too much

 

Thanks for the link. Oops... I didn't do a search before I posted.

Sorry, chalk it up to a newbie error!

Thanks all for the advice.

 

The first few weeks I had the same problem.

You get use to it and those little side windows help tremendously.

I feel like the sight-lines are excellent now.

If someone drives it for the first time, they complain about vision, but after adjusting seast, mirrors and getting used to it, it's fine.

 

I just learned that it's an absolute requirement to do a turn-the-head check before changing lanes.

 

Morning!

I'm one of those vertically challenged people in this Z world (5'4") and I had the same problem.

I found the addition of hot spot mirrors to the exterior mirrors was a lifesaver for me. Once you get used to it - you can take them off. I'm in that phase now but confess I really do feel more confident about what's behind me when the hot spots are on so I'll probably pop on a new pair soonly.

Good luck!

 

One more time :-). The rear-view mirror has TWO adjustment swivels, one where it attaches to the mirror and the second one at the back of the mirror. Adjust the mirror down with the swivel at the base, ie near the windshield, and you will see that the rear view is fine. I'm 6 ft tall and the view out my mirror is better than out of my Camry.

 

Sorry - meant to say two adjustment swivels, one where the mirror attaches to the windshield and two, behind the mirror itself.

 

i put those little convex mirrors you can pick for $1 at an auto parts store on the outside edge of my mirror, it definitely helps out with the side/rear quarter panel blind spots...especially at night when you can see the headlights in it. after i did that ive had no problems and im not the tallest guy either at 5'9"

 

Hmm. Guess I'm just use to driving Z's. I do like the idea of the little stick on's though. I use them on my expedition because it's so big. Never thought to put them on the Z.

 

I'm a whopping 5'2" and I have my seat as far up vertically it will go. At first, I was a little worried about those blind spots, but now that I've got everything where I want it--mirrors, passenger seat, etc. I have very few problems at all.

Only time I have issues is when hubby's in the car with me and he decides to rest his arm right in front of my frickin' passenger side mirror. "Honey, I can't see anything when your arm is there. Hope you don't mind getting side swiped!" Occasionally, he'll lean the seat further back, too--and of course, RIGHT IN FRONT of the back window. Oiy! Oh well. He'll learn one of these days. LOL

 

I felt the same way, but now I'm very comfortable driving the Z. Sure, there are times when I'm changing lanes and crossing my fingers that no one crept up on me! But for the most part it's fine--I agree though, I need to look over my shoulder more often than not to make sure the lane is safe to change into.

 

Do what I do: Catch a car in front and get in front of it as soon as you pass it, that way you don't have to turn your head, just look in the side mirror to see that he/she didn't speed up .

 

LOL
That's the way I usually drive, but I have less than 1,200 miles on my Z and I'm trying (VERY HARD) to keep the RPMs under 4K!!

 

Yeah try doing that in Seattle. :-)

Not only do people not pay attention and pig the lanes, but there are so freakin many people pigging the lanes and not paying attention you can't get in front of them all.

Not that I want to live in Iowa again, but oh... to DRIVE in Iowa again. :-)

 

Hi
I heard this on Click and Clack one sunday morning...
Push your mirrors out (rotate them so that they are aimed more into the adjacent lanes)- it is initially weird, but after a few days, you find out that now you can see the cars next to you. I was surprised- always taught to have part of the fender in the mirror.
Really works well and gets rid of much of the blind area.
As to the rear window vision problem, it is a lot better than my F40's plexiglas slotted window....

 

Never had a problem in the 5 months I've had it, and I'm only 17. Height: 6'

 

I was pretty unhappy about the blind spots too when I got the car, but now that I'm used to it, it's no big deal. One thing I did do is turn the mirrors out a little more than I'm used to. Instead of being able to see the flanks of the car, now they're just directed toward the adjacent lane. It's pretty much removed the blind spots and I'm much more comfortable driving.