Blind Spot

[Art]

Am I the only one, or has anyone else noticed the blind spot when exercising left-side shoulder checks. The combination of the large head restraint and the position of the B-pillar makes reversing, lane changing, or entering freeway mergers extremely challenging. Any helpful opinions or suggestions would be appreciated. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[coastal]

I haven't experienced a problem on the left side, but while on our road trip this summer I did get a little lazy shoulder checking to the right.

Had quite a scare on two occasions in LA with a brand new Mercedes S class and then later in Oregon with a Camaro. Interestingly, they were both silver. I know I shoulder checked but I guess the silver cars blended in somewhat with the graphite interior. Something to watch for at least.
:o

[Igor]

Yep, I noticed this on the left, almost bumped someone off.
Next day bought two convex mirrors (small round ones,
about 2" diameter), one for each side-mirror.
Never had another blind-spot since then.

[Art]

Thanks for the suggestion Igor. I've had a couple of close calls. One during a lane change and the other merging into a busy traffic lane.

[V70Sam]

I too have one of those now, just give it a quick glance, and if all clear, then go.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Igor on 5:56 pm on Dec. 6, 2001
Yep, I noticed this on the left, almost bumped someone off.
Next day bought two convex mirrors (small round ones,
about 2&quot; diameter), one for each side-mirror.
Never had another blind-spot since then.
[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[Kny]

Technically, you should be able to eliminate the blind spot next to you on the left and right.
An uncoming car should first be seen in the center mirror, then as you are loosing it apprear in the side mirror and again as you lose it in the side mirror appear in your peripheral vision just to your left.
But i agree, this does not eliminate the fact that you have to check over your shoulder for cars on the second lane to your left for exemple as the mirrors can only be set for one position (the lane next to you) at a time.

And again, yes, i also did notice that the bar is wide enough to block a car from view, but i guess you can&#39;t have everything... a solid side impact car and small side bars &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

Happy, safe and over the shoulder driving
Kny

[Art]

It appears there are now wide angle mirrors to help resolve the problem of the blind spot. Unlike the stick on convex mirrors, these ones allow your eye to process the flat image much faster. &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
http://www.borton.com/vidvink1.jpg

[Njord]

Art
Where do you get these Wide angle mirrors?
When I was driving my &#39;99 V70XC I never had a blind spot but my 2002 has a big one.. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif One of the problems with the new car is that the outside mirrors don&#39;t rotate out far enough to cover the blind spot.
I&#39;m a real fan of properly adjusted mirrors.

[Gundo]

Check out Performance Products (http://www.performanceproducts.com). &nbsp;Do a search for Panomirrors. &nbsp;They&#39;ve got them for &#036; 39.95.

http://www.performanceproducts.com/Assets/product_content/Panomirrors/96XATWNL.jpg

[clodel]

So far I haven&#39;t had too much problems. The only close call was a car was turning into the same line I was and he was coming right behind me. You might want to check your side mirror placement. I think I read this from Vista or some AAA publication but they mentioned that drivers usually have their side mirrors angled too close towards the car. Here&#39;s they suggestion on how to properly align your side mirrors:

1.Sit normally in your seat.

2.Tilt your head to the left so your head almost touches the window. (Assuming that the driver&#39;s side is on the left side of course).

3.Next align your left mirror so the right edge of the mirror barely glimpses the side of your car.

4.Now tilt your head to the right, and angle your right side mirror so the left edge barely glimpses the side of your car.

It may feel unusual at first, but you get used to it, and you have a wider visual range of your side lanes.