Wing mirrors or side-view mirrors sometimes get damaged. For example, another car may hit your mirror during parallel parking or it gets damaged during an accident. There are enough possibilities in which your wing mirror can get damaged. A side view mirror is not only very important for your safety, they are also essential for the safety of your fellow road users. The mirrors of your car ensure that you can clearly see what is happening around you. If your wing mirror is broken, it is difficult to see what happens on that side. It is very important that you replace it as quickly as possible. Is only your wing mirror glass broken? Then you can choose to replace it separately.
Different kinds of wing mirrors
There are different types of car side mirrors. Where in the past car mirrors had the only function of folding up, wing mirrors nowadays are increasingly equipped with technical gadgets. Today, many side view mirrors are equipped with heating, a temperature sensor, indicator light or even blind-spot detection.
Replacing your car wing mirror
You can easily replace the wing mirror of your car yourself. In addition, replacing it yourself will save costs. How the side view mirror needs to be replaced differs per brand and car make.
In general, a wing mirror replacement goes something as follows. First of all, you will have to remove the door trim. With some cars, this is only a piece at the wing mirror. At other cars you have to remove the entire door trims. Once you have removed the housing, you can remove the screws from the mirror. Once the screws are loose, you are able to carefully remove the side view mirror. Fitting the new mirror works in the reversed order as you did dismantling it. Is your car equipped with an electric wing mirror? Take the cables and the connection of these cables into account when replacing the wing mirror.
Are your side view mirrors spray-painted in the colour of your car? Then it is best to purchase a primed wing mirror, so it comes in a primer. You can easily spray paint it yourself or get it sprayed in the right colour at a paint shop.
Adjusting a wing mirror
If you have fitted a new wing mirror, it is important that it is adjusted correctly. The adjustment is best done on a flat surface. So don´t try this when you´re on a hill. OK, once you are on flat ground…
For the UK (left-hand traffic): start with the right-hand side mirror. This is correctly adjusted if you have a maximum view of the right behind the car. Turn the right mirror as far as possible to the side from the car to the moment you no longer see the rear of the car. Turn the left door mirror so far to the left that you can still see the edge of the car. On both sides, the horizon must be 3 / 4th visible.
For non-UK (right-hand traffic): it?s basically the same as for left-hand traffic driven vehicles only mirrored. Start with the left-hand side mirror. This is correctly adjusted if you have a maximum view of the left behind the car. Turn the left mirror as far as possible to the side from the car to the moment you no longer see the rear of the car. You have to turn the right door mirror so far to the right that you can still see the edge of the car. On both sides, the horizon must be 3 / 4th visible.
Buying a new wing mirror
At Winparts you will find a wide range of wing mirrors at competitive prices. Simply enter your registration number/number plate and the suitable wing mirrors for your car will be displayed. The costs of a side view mirror differ per wing mirror brand and car make and model. In addition, to complete car mirrors, you can also order individual wing mirror housing, wing mirror glass and rear-view mirror from Winparts.