Introduction
It’s the first thing we learned when driving a car; right after putting on your seatbelt, you check your mirrors.
It might be when you’re doing this that you notice something is amiss. Perhaps one of your mirrors is broken, or more distorted than the others, leaving you in need of a replacement.
It may lead you to the natural question: Are all car mirrors built the same?
After all, if it turns out you need to replace a driver-side mirror, it might help to know if you can just use a passenger-side mirror instead.
For the answer to that and more pressing questions, let’s take a deep dive into the world of automotive mirrors.
What you need to know about your car’s mirrors
Let’s answer the simplest question first: No, all car mirrors are not built the same. In a way, you can tell this simply by looking at the differences between a driver’s-side mirror on a Porsche and the same mirror on a Toyota.
But even more than that, the mirrors on the same vehicle differ from one another as well, more so than just the difference in shape between your rear-view mirror and your side mirrors.
The passenger vs. driver’s side mirrors
There’s a famous scene in the original Jurassic Park movie in which one of the actors looks into the mirror of the jeep they’re driving to see a gigantic dinosaur chasing them, and on the mirror are the words “Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear”.
In the movie, it works as a clever punch-line to keep the tension high. But what most movie-goers may not realize is that there’s also a grounding of truth in the joke. The passenger-side mirrors of most vehicles are convex–that is, the surface is not flat but rounded and pushed out.
The reason for this is simple: It allows the driver to see more of what is happening on the side of the car without needing to turn their head over much. But just like in the movie, it can cause objects and other vehicles to appear slightly more ‘spread out’ than they are.
The driver’s-side mirror, however, is flat. This is both to provide a more accurate view of what is nearby on that side, and because it is nearer to the driver they can view it without needing to turn their head.
The flatness of the mirror does have a tradeoff, however, in that it narrows the field of view. You will not be able to see as much of what is happening on that side as you would on the passenger’s side.
The rearview mirror is also flat, and provides a 1:1 reflection of what is going on behind your vehicle.
Side view mirrors at a glance
Generally, mirrors on the same vehicle will share most of the same traits. But mirrors can differ wildly from vehicle to vehicle. Sports cars, for instance, tend towards smaller more aerodynamic mirrors that have a reduced impact on the performance of the vehicle at the cost of a smaller field of view, while cargo vans might have over-size mirrors to help make up for the poor visibility within the vehicle itself.
When it comes to automobile mirrors, though, they can be divided into one of three categories:
- Manual mirrors
Manual mirrors are old-school, just like grampa used to use in his Ranchero. they're designed to be adjusted by hand, by rolling down the window and pushing or pulling them into place.
While they may lack the ease of use of other types of mirrors, they also contain fewer moving parts and zero electrical components, which makes them both reliable and cheap to replace.
- Manual remote mirrors
Somewhere along the line, some engineers came up with the bright realization that people might like to adjust their mirrors without rolling down the window and letting the elements in. The 'manual-remote' mirror is the brainchild of that nameless engineer and can be found on several different models of older vehicles.
Manual-remote mirrors function the same way as simple manual mirrors, except that they can be adjusted from inside the car through the use of a small knob that is usually found right next to the mirror on the interior of the door.
Like simple manual mirrors, the lack of electrical components makes these simple and cheap to replace. The main difference is that the knob needs to be threaded through the appropriate hole in the door to ensure proper operation, which can be a little finicky if you're not expecting it.
- Power Side view mirrors
Most modern vehicles use electric-powered mirrors that can be adjusted from inside the vehicle through buttons on a control panel, usually found on the driver's armrest. Both side mirrors can be adjusted in this manner through the use of a selector switch on the control console.
These mirrors can also come with a variety of enhancements or advanced features as well, utilizing their powered nature. Some mirrors come with heating elements, to help keep the mirror from fogging up in cold weather. Other features may include the ability to fold the mirrors to lessen their exposure to damage, or built-in turn signals.
Some more advanced models even have proximity sensors to warn you when you are approaching hazards or internal programmable memory that can retain mirror positions for different drivers.
Can I drive without my mirrors?
This is one of those questions that doesn't come with a yes-or-no answer, as it will vary state by state. In general, most states require two operational mirrors on your vehicle. These can be both side mirrors, or one side mirror and the rear-view mirror.
In almost all cases, the driver's-side mirror needs to be one of the two mirrors, and in some states, it is illegal to drive with only your side mirrors if you cannot use your rearview mirror or do not have one.
You should be aware that, regardless of the laws in your state, it can be dangerous to drive without the proper three-mirror setup, as they are designed to work in tandem with each other to provide you with as complete a picture as possible of your surroundings while operating the vehicle.
The risks of driving without mirrors or with malfunctioning or inadequate mirrors are fairly simple and straightforward. It limits your view of the areas surrounding your vehicle, increasing the size of your blind spots, and that in turn leads to an increased risk of accidents.
Is it expensive to replace mirrors?
The average cost of replacing side mirrors
The answer to this question depends on several factors, not the least of which is what kind of vehicle you drive. A 2002 Toyota with manual mirrors, for instance, will have mirrors that are much cheaper to replace than a 2021 Jaguar with power mirrors.
In general, though, mirrors are one of the cheaper parts to replace on a vehicle. You can expect to spend anywhere between $150 [CA $205.50] and $350 [CA $479.50] on average per mirror replaced, with variations depending on the specific make and model of your vehicle.
How to save money replacing car mirrors
There are two major costs to any vehicle repair; parts and labor. Both of these can be mitigated somewhat by making smart decisions about how to replace your car mirror and where you get the parts.
- Save on labor either by doing the fix yourself or using a trusted mechanic
The simplest way to save on labor is to perform the replacement and repair yourself. If you opt to select this option, however, it is imperative that you research the operation fully to keep mistakes to a minimum, as an incorrect installation can cause damage to your vehicle or result in your vehicle being deemed unsafe for the road.
Fortunately, most mirror replacements are fairly straightforward, especially if they are manual mirrors. Power mirrors, because of their electrical component, will require more care and may also require an amount of panel work in order to remove and replace them properly.
It is also worth noting that if your mirrors are powered, there will be electrical connections you will need to be aware of and ensure that they are disconnected and reconnected properly.
If, however, you are not comfortable with doing your own work or are incapable of doing it yourself, finding a trusted mechanic locally can be another method of saving money on repair costs.
Dealer mechanics typically will charge more for their work because of the time and training involved in getting certified through the dealership. A local mechanic will usually do the work for less money.
- Save with aftermarket parts
The idea of using a local mechanic also leads to another method of saving money; using aftermarket parts.
Dealerships will almost always use new or factory-brand parts when replacing or repairing a vehicle. Local mechanics may also have similar policies, but many of them will also use any aftermarket parts you may bring them to install, and aftermarket parts are almost always cheaper to purchase than factory-new parts.
Many after-market auto parts vendors such as AutoShack will often offer bulk shipping rates, so mirrors can be purchased individually or in pairs and then shipped together if needed, further reducing your bill.
Keep savings in sight with AutoShack
AutoAhack offers fast, free shipping to most of the U.S. and Canada, as well as a variety of options to get the part you need when you need it. Most parts are shipped out in 1 to 5 business days, and we also offer expedited shipping which ships in 1-2 days for those parts you need as soon as possible.
We offer low prices on quality after-market parts that can easily be found on our easy-to-navigate search bar. All you have to do is enter the make, model, and year of your vehicle before picking the right part for you.
Visit our website today and find the parts you need at AutoShack!