Driving with a damaged or smudged side view mirror is dangerous — and today’s high tech power mirrors can be expensive to repair. Once again, an ounce of prevention can definitely be worth a pound of cure.
Here are some basic pointers from B&D Autobody and Glass on how you can avoid auto side view mirror damage.
Auto mirror damage tip #1: Pay attention when driving
Typical causes of damage:
- Pulling out of a parking space or a garage in reverse
- Failing to tuck in your mirrors when going through a car wash
- Pulling in to a tight space too quickly and misjudging the distance
Auto mirror damage tip #2: Park in safe areas
Typical causes of damage:
- Vandals typically target side mirrors, as they are easy to break
- Other drivers may wing your mirrors as they parallel park near your car
Auto mirror damage tip #3: Clean with care
Typical causes of damage:
- Using abrasive cleaners that leave streaks or smudges on your mirrors
- Using brushes or other tools that scratch your mirrors
- Applying too much pressure and damaging the glass
Auto mirror damage tip #4: Protect and respect power mirrors
Typical causes of damage:
- Unnecessary use of power mirror controls (kids/pets playing with controls)
- Electrical short over many years of vehicle ownership
- Physical damage to power mirror control buttons
