Side mirrors, also known as wing mirrors are an important safety feature on any vehicle which enables the driver to see areas behind and on the sides of the vehicle that would otherwise be outside of their peripheral vision. That being said, your side mirrors should be fully functional at all times. If your side mirrors are damaged, impair your view, have a mounting or head loose, or the mirror casing and glass are cracked or broken, then you should replace the mirror at the earliest notice. However, you can't just go online, buy the first mirror you come across, and expect it to perform optimally.
In many cases, you'll only have to replace the glass. However, sometimes you'll have to replace the entire mirror, which means that you need to properly diagnose the damage on the mirror before making a decision. If the entire mirror including the housing is damaged, then you'll need a complete new mirror from an accessory store. There are discount 4x4 accessories stores online where you can find specific model and make mirrors that will fit your car.
While browsing discount 4x4 accessories stores, you'll come across mirrors that feature glass which can be in varying levels of "convexity" or "flatness". Generally, the mirror on the driver's side is flatter than the mirror on the passenger's side. Furthermore, some cars feature a wide-angle section on the glass that's signified by a faint line. Most modern carn mirrors also come with heated wings that can be used during the cooler months of the year to melt snow and ice off of them.
In most cars, you can adjust the glass internally, whether it's electrically or manually. Manually adjustable models are usually connected using cables to a knot inside the car, while electrically adjustable models have a switch, which connects to an electric motor inside the mirror's housing.
The mirrors also feature covers which are used to protect the internal mechanical parts behind it. Driver-side mirrors are different from the mirrors on the passenger side. They come in a wide range of colours and textures so that they can match your car's exterior. If your car has mirrors with built-in indicators, then you should ensure the cover you get allows for it.
Changing the side mirrors of your car can be an easy DIY task if you're handy with tools. If you aren't, you're better off leaving the task to a skilled mechanic, because if you don't install them right, you probably won't be able to see from them properly, which can become a safety hazard.
