So, the wife and I got into the Crossfire and now, how does one see-out of the rear and side windows to back the car up, or easily change lanes? We're ready to lease the car (such an excellent deal right now, $299 per month with $2,000 down for 39 months), but we cannot see out the rear and side windows for the blind-spots? We both are of "average" height and the seats adjust easily - so, that is not the problem. How have any of you overcome this "problem" - for once we can "solve" it, we can lease the Crossfire. Thanks!

 

use the mirrors. it took me a little getting used to but now that I have the mirrors adjusted I no longer have any blind spots.

 

I concur, its the adjustment of the side mirrors that will make the difference. Usually when I adjust the side mirrors (on most cars) I can still see the edge of my car in them. Not with the Crossfire, you must adjust them out a bit further so you can see into the next lane. Its a compromise between your rear view, side view and over the shoulder view.

 

As everyone above said, "adjust and use your mirrors" and you have to do as the big rig drivers do... always be aware of who and what is around you. As for parking, owning a Crossfire you'll be parking in the farthest spot away from everyone else. Pull into a spot you can drive straight out of. Problems solved.

Go for it and sign that lease... no one ever said the Crossfire was a practical car, but it will more than make up for any minor faults. :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

If you don't mind spending a few bucks there is a post somewhere here showing a rear view video system. I just look before I get in and pray.

 

You don't need to be able to see the side of your own car in the rearviews... there's no worry of passing yourself, or cutting yourself off. The key is to adjust them so that there is an overlap, when a vehicle is in the middle rearview, and begins to pass you, at some point you should be able to see the vehicle in the middle mirror and the side mirror. Then, once the vehicle is in just the side mirror, the final key point is that as it is leaving the side mirror, it comes into your peripheral vision WITHOUT having to turn your head. You should never had to turn your head to change lanes or pass someone, it is dangerous, and if your mirrors are adjusted correctly, you don't need to. I set mine up by going slow on the highway, and just keep making adjustments as people pass me.

 

Quoted in Car & Driver, or Road & Track, I forget, years ago... and have always done it since with every car...

To adjust mirrors to eliminate ALL blinds spots...

Sit in the drivers seat.... then lean your head to the center of the car (over the console in the case of the Crossfire)... then adjust the Passenger Side mirror sighting down the side of your car.

After that adjustment is made, then you lay your head against the window of the driver's side glass and then adjust that mirror so that you can sight just down the side of your car. VOILA.

No more blindspots....
Try it.. it works.... All the "Professional" (Nascar) etc drivers sight their mirrors in this fashion.

 

Stranded - I tried ou the method you outline above for driving in my station wagon (don't own a Crossfire yet) and bingo ! - it works brilliantly. You get a much better coverage of the blind areas. Thanks for the post - great help !

 

First rule of Italian race car driving.

Whats behine me is not important!

Sorry just a little gumball rally humor.

 

The key is getting used to using your center mirror first.... once one masters that it's a piece of cake.

 

Here's what Stranded was talking about:
http://www.nifc.gov/safety_study/ann...irror-adj.html

Excerpts from National Safety Council on Safe Driving

Some of the most serious preventable accidents occur because of blind spots while driving! Now there is a remarkable simple solution discovered by an engineer named George Platter. He presented his method at the prestigious Society of Automotive Engineers.

The National Safety Council tested his theory and discovered, to their amazement, that it works! The method has been fully endorsed by the National Safety Council as described in their September/October issue of Traffic Safety. Here's how it works.
First, forget how we learned to adjust our outside mirrors by plopping behind the steering wheel and turning the mirrors so that we just saw the side of our car looking back at us in the mirrors.

Instead, adjust the driver's side mirror by resting your head against the driver's side window and then turning the mirror so that you just see the side of your car.

Once this is set, move to the center of the vehicle and turn the passenger side mirror so that you can just see the side of your car from the center of the vehicle.

That's it. You won't see your own car in either mirror, yet what you will see is far better. Cars behind you show up as usual in the inside rear-view mirror above the dash, but the instant the car leaves your field of vision from the rear-view mirror the outside mirror picks it up. No blind spot; no delays; no wondering where that car about to pass you has disappeared to, and no waiting a few seconds for the car that you just saw in your rear-view mirror to show up in your outside mirrors.

 

The 2 fat Italian brothers who do "Car Talk" have a better illustration on their website... it's free of all the cutesy poo, touchy feely stuff on that government link. I don't have a link off the top of my head but I'm sure a quick google will do it.

 

Here's the link to the two fat guys. it comes with useable pictures.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...vember/07.html

 

ain't all this exactly what I said ??? LOL

 

Yes it is, but I thought the pictures helped. I wasn't trying to steal your thunder.

 

http://www.serviceworksconsulting.co...lind_spot.html

 

I also had trouble adjusting to the blind spots ... mostly the rear passenger side pillar. The trick I learned is to make sure that the passenger seat isn't all the way back. If it IS all the way back, the headrest combines with the pillar to make a huge blind spot. Move the passenger seat forward until you can see through at least some of the window behind the headrest and you'll be able to tell if a vehicle is there. But be sure to use your mirrors too.

 

I learned a valuable lesson today. I figured I'd take the advice posted here and see how well it worked. I leaned my head against the driver's side door, and adjusted my mirror so I could just see the back corner. Then I realized I was about to drive off the road.

Lesson learned: Follow the procedure *before* getting on the freeway.

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: There is not an icon to show how much I appreciate your humor. :!:

(You aren't reading this from a hospital room - are you???)

 

Either you're quite short, or quite the contortionist, to get your HEAD against the driver's side door! :wink: