My biggest complaint about my '09 Acura TL w/tech are the blind spots. The side mirrors barely do any justice.

Maybe they arent set properly? I know the new TL's have an alarm of some sort.

Is there anyway to get rid of this issue? Maybe I need to dial my side mirrors in better. Basically before I change lanes I look.

What's kinda ironic is that I don't even need to turn around when I'm backing due to the back up camera.

Your guys thoughts?

 

Basically, all cars have blind spots. You should always look before changing. I have the new BLI system on my car and I still look.. out of habit mostly. If a car is in my blind spot when I go to change lanes, the BSI blinks a warning.

I still have to ask this.. are you new to the driving world? Checking your blind spot is one of the first things we learn we we learn to drive!

 

You should have a turn and look habit but if you need more ...
get those cheapo self stick convex mirrors to add on existing mirrors.
I have BSI on my Acura and still often look.

 

Here is a tip I read recently on a different way to adjust the side mirrors. I believe most folks (myself included) have the side mirrors adjusted so that the show the entire side body line of the car along the inside edge. I read somewhere that the mirrors should be adjusted more outward so that you do NOT see your own car in the mirror. Warning--this is really difficult to get used to at first however, I have significantly reduced the blind spot problem. At this angle, a car then enters your blind spot will be quite noticeable in the mirror.

Here are links that shows how: http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~gdguo/driving/BlindSpot.htm
http://www.smartmotorist.com/car-acc...correctly.html

Doug

 

go by the drivers ed, look over your shoulders...

computers can make errors too you know..

or you can always..

 

 

or you can install a LaneFX system to turn your mirrors when a turn signal is activated...

http://www.lanefx.com/

not too expensive and very effective.

 

SeismicGuy is right, you need to adjust your side mirrors right to minimize blind spots. However the good habit of turning before changing lane is always good!

 

My mirrors are adjusted so that i see that road not my car. I can only see the door handles and a little bit of the car

 

I dont like to turn my head, you might call me lazy but I like to enjoy what I'm listening to when I drive. Turning my head takes me away from that.

 

Adjust your side mirrors more outwards, like what I do. There's really no point of catching a glimpse of your car while lane changing.

 

lol if you really think your "MUSIC" is much more important than a car accident or a vehicle next to you then you sir need to get your priority's straight.. being selfish is one thing, but your just not endangering yourself, but others inside the car and everyone around you.

being lazy is no excuse..

and plus, its something that you actually have to use out of all the things you studied on the drivers ed course..

 

I won't call you lazy.. I'll call you dangerous! Sheesh.. how much effort does it take?

 

Not everyone turns their head if people wanted to admit.

My solution is that I signal earlier than your actually supposed to. Let others on the road what my next move will be.

 

You paid a lot for that car.... The idea of looking over your shoulder is to protect that investment as well as other people...

 

not everyone is as nice as you think they are if people wanted to admit.

my solution is that i signal and turn your head like your suppose to. let yourself know that there isnt a car next to you so others on the road dont have to die.

 

In some DMV road test, you may not get your license because you are not qualified for driving on the road. Such behavior is potential hazardous to others. I'm not sure if you really think through what you just said.

 

I know see why there are a lot of accidents on the road if there are more people who think like you. In no way shape or form is someone suppose to automatically just move out of your way to let you over just because you have your blinker on .SMDH

 

LMAO...Not trying to beat up on poor Acurazine member (our OP) but I would be willing to bet that a GORGEOUS woman in a BIKINI walks by and the head will turn!!

 

Always do shoulder check. Having BSI doesn't mean the driver no longer needed to do shoulder checking before making turns.

 

justinspace was right.. you do make stupid threads..

 

In for teh LULZ!

 

If you guys don't like the subject of the threads........DON'T POST.

But you really need to stop calling guys out here-not cool.

 

You should always clear your blind spots. By that I mean you should take postive action to insure the blind spot is clear.

There are several ways to do that, other than looking over your shoulder:

- One is as you imply and as SeismicGuy posted is to set your mirrors using what I call "Parallel Mirror Adjustment". It is very effective, but takes getting used to. In additon to the links posted there is a thread (with video) here: Parallel Mirror Adjustment - Eliminate Blind Spots


- Using your side mirror, lean forward. This moves the relative perspective of the mirror out. I prefer this since I do not have to turn away from what is in front of me. IOW - as you check the mirror to clear your blind spot, you can still see forward from the "corner of your eye." I've done this for a very long time and hundreds of thousands of driving miles. It works.

- Get a small "wide angle" mirror and affix it to your side mirrors. Some people don't like the look/idea of this (me included), but it does work. Ford has built them in to some of their newer models. I've got that on my Fusion. I like it.


In addition to any/all of those, there is simply NO SUBSTITUTE for Situational Awareness. You have to know of and keep track of the cars around you. Thier positions, relavtive speeds, etc.

 

can you ban him already?!?!?!

 

No blind spots if you set your mirrors correctly

http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/mirrors/

 

He has been warned. Let it go. Thanks.

 

There is no substitution for checking blind spots. I've set my side mirrors out since day one of my driving license! I only see my car if i lean to that side to look, even then it's just a very very small sliver on the side mirror. This reduces the blind spots, but does not get rid of it completely.

I hate it when ppl drive in your blind spot, and they stay there. Those ppl don't know how to drive.....

 

Yeah--I should have made it clearer that I NEVER solely rely on the mirrors. I always take a final last very quick physical glance to make sure no cars are alongside me. But more importantly I had gotten into the habit very early on to always keep tabs on the positions of all cars behind and to the side of me. To do this I am constantly glancing in all mirrors rather than just staring out the windshield. I frequently make the assumption that I might have to suddenly swerve into an adjacent lane to avoid something and like knowing in advance if one of those lanes is "swervable" just in case things happen so fast that I cannot do the usual head check.

This philosophy has saved me more than once, especially on the freeway, when some situation right ahead might happen and I had already known that the right (or left) was clear to swerve into without actually looking.

Doug

 

Your mirrors are configured incorrectly - if you see any part of your car in your side mirrors they are setup wrong.

I have no blindspots on my 2010 TL.

 

There ya go, not the OP never has to turn his head and be distracted from his tunes

 

I used to drive a 2003 Dodge Dakota before getting a 2012 TL. It did take me a while to get used to driving a car vs a truck. My first impression was that there was a huge blindspot on the passenger side (I typically shoulder check on driver's side out of habit).

I had to adjust my mirrors several times before I felt like I had the correct settings.

 

So he's gone if he does it again? Does that mean he will be banned?

He's always trying to get underneath my skin, I think everyone on this board would agree!?

 

Both of you guys need to get over it - what ever "it" is.




This is a potentially useful (even accident preventing) thread for many users, quit crapping it up with petty BS. That applies to EVERYONE.

 

Someone needs to get a LITLLE THICKER skin.. sheesh.. Can't even joke without the BS PC police coming down.. fuggit.. FWIW, I don't think the OP was pointing to me when he said that last bit about being banned but hey... pander to him.. no worries.. I guess this post will get me banned but I feel it needed saying,. ciao

 

I got a 2012 TL SH-AWD Advance in April 2011. The car now has been driven almost 8,000 miles and I've had too many near accidents, even though I adjusted the mirrors outward to maximize the field of view. BLI helps, but not enough. Shame on Acura for making a car with such wide and steeply raked A-pillars, not to mention the poor rearward visibility. I'll never again acquire a car with such awful visibility, even though the TL has been fun to drive, comfortable, and reliable.

 

Here is what my dad taught me when I started driving and so far, knock on the wood, I never had any problem with the blind spots.

1 - Always, always look over your shoulder before you change your lane. Regardless of what kind of tech you have in your car. May that be a BLIS or your honey buns, make sure you have no one in your blind spot.

2 - Adjust the mirror in stationary position with some sort of reference points behind you. He taught me that I should always adjust my back view mirror in a way that I have a full view of what is behind me. Then, and only then, adjust the side view mirrors in a way that if an object is disappearing in the back view mirror, it should be appearing in your side view mirror.

I have been driving for 12 years and so far, once again knock on the wood, nothing jumped at me from my blind spot.... and I certainly hope that it stays that way....

Just my suggestion.... Cheerios... that is what I had for my breakfast....

 

I've been driving for 16 years!

 

^and how many wrecks have you been in?

 

I've been driving 37 years and no wrecks. Heck, back in my early driving days, most cars only had one mirror on the driver's side unless one had the GT/SS versions.