What Is The Mirror In A Car Called? | Names You’ll Hear Daily

You’ve probably asked this mid-conversation: “What do you call that mirror in a car?” The answer depends on which mirror you mean, since drivers, parts stores, and rulebooks don’t always use the same words.

This article clears up the common names, what each mirror does, and how to describe the right one when you’re buying parts or writing up a repair.

What Is The Mirror In A Car Called? Names you’ll hear in real life

When someone says “the mirror in a car,” they usually mean the one mounted high on the windshield, centered above the dash. The most common name for it is the rearview mirror.

In day-to-day talk, you’ll hear three main labels:

• Rearview mirror: the inside mirror that shows what’s behind you through the rear window.
• Side mirror: the outside mirrors on the doors (or fenders).
• Wing mirror: a common name in the UK and some other places for the outside mirror.

If you add “driver side” or “passenger side,” people will know which outside mirror you mean.

Why the naming gets messy

Different groups picked words that fit their job. Drivers wanted short names. Parts catalogs wanted names that sort inventory. Regulations wanted wording that covers many vehicle types and test methods.

Place matters too. “Wing mirror” comes from older cars where the mirror sat out on the front fender (the “wing”). Modern cars mount mirrors on the door, yet the older name still sticks.

Where each mirror sits and what it’s for

Inside rearview mirror

This is the mirror you glance at for a fast read of traffic behind you. Many cars let you cut glare at night, either with a manual flip tab or an auto-dimming feature.

Outside mirrors

These show what the inside mirror can’t see: the lanes next to you and the space along the sides of your car. Outside mirrors use different glass shapes, and the curve changes what you see.

• Flat (plane) glass shows distance more naturally.
• Convex glass widens the view, so objects appear smaller and feel farther away.
• Aspherical glass blends zones: a flatter main area plus a tighter curve near the outer edge to catch blind spots.

Specialty mirrors

Trucks, vans, and towing setups add extra coverage:

• Tow mirrors: wider housings that help you see past a trailer.
• Spotter mirrors: a small convex mirror segment, built in or added on.
• Blind-spot mirrors: stick-on mini mirrors that widen coverage.

Mirror names used in rules and standards

Repair manuals and legal text often use formal terms like “outside rearview mirror.” In the United States, one widely cited safety standard is FMVSS No. 111 (Rear Visibility), which covers mirrors and rear visibility performance for many vehicles.

Many countries also rely on UN vehicle rules. A common reference is UN Regulation No. 46 on indirect vision devices, which sets requirements for mirrors and related systems used to see around a vehicle.

That wording is a big reason you’ll see listings like “outside rearview mirror assembly” even when everyone in the shop says “side mirror.”

Mirror types and what each name usually points to

This table matches everyday names to the parts you’ll see in stores and manuals.

Mirror type	Common name(s)	What it does
Interior mirror	Rearview mirror, inside mirror	Shows traffic behind you through the rear window.
Driver-side outside mirror	Side mirror, door mirror, wing mirror	Shows the lane next to you and the side of your car.
Passenger-side outside mirror	Side mirror, outside rearview mirror	Wider view to reduce blind spots on the far side.
Convex outside glass	Wide-angle mirror, convex mirror	Expands coverage; objects may seem farther away.
Aspherical outside glass	Blind-spot zone mirror	Adds a high-curve strip to catch vehicles in adjacent lanes.
Auto-dimming interior	Electrochromic rearview mirror	Reduces headlight glare without a manual flip tab.
Towing mirror	Tow mirror, extendable mirror	Helps you see past a trailer and watch trailer wheels.
Spotter add-on	Blind-spot mirror, stick-on mirror	Extra convex view for tight merges and parking.
Power-fold outside mirror	Folding side mirror	Folds in for tight streets and parking spaces.
Camera-based mirror display	Digital rearview mirror	Shows a camera feed that can bypass blocked rear windows.

How to talk about the right mirror when buying parts

Listings mix everyday terms with catalog language, so be specific. A simple description works well:

1. Location: interior, driver side, passenger side.
2. Mounting: windshield-mounted or door-mounted.
3. Features: heated glass, power adjust, power fold, turn signal, blind-spot indicator, auto-dimming.

Try: “Passenger-side outside mirror, heated, power-fold, with turn signal.” That one line usually gets you the right match.

For the inside mirror, check the mount style. Some attach to a metal button glued to the windshield, while others use a bracket bonded into the glass.

How to adjust mirrors for a cleaner view

Set mirrors while parked on level ground. Then take a short drive on a quiet road and see how cars move from mirror to mirror as they pass.

Set the inside rearview mirror first

Center it on the rear window. You want the lane behind you, not the ceiling or the back seat.

Set the driver-side outside mirror

Angle it so you see only a thin slice of your car’s side. Too much door wastes mirror space that could show the next lane.

Set the passenger-side outside mirror

Widen it a bit more than the driver side. A handy trick is to lean your head toward the center while adjusting, then sit normally. You’ll often gain coverage of the adjacent lane sooner.

What the warning text on mirrors means

You’ve seen the line: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” That’s tied to convex glass. Convex mirrors give a wider field of view, and that wider view makes distance seem stretched.

With a little seat time, your brain calibrates. You start judging closing speed by how fast the vehicle grows in the mirror, not by the raw size of the image.

Cleaning and caring for mirrors

Clear glass beats fancy features. A dirty mirror turns headlights into starbursts and hides motorcycles in road spray. A simple routine keeps the view sharp.

• Use a clean microfiber cloth and a mild glass cleaner. Spray the cloth, not the mirror, so cleaner doesn’t seep into the housing.
• Clean the mirror edges where grime builds up. That’s where the view starts to blur first.
• On heated mirrors, don’t scrape ice with anything hard. Let the heater loosen it, then wipe.
• If your mirror has a blind-spot indicator, keep the lens area clear so the light stays easy to see in daylight.

After a door ding or a minor bump, recheck mirror aim. A mirror can seem “fine” yet be a few degrees off, and that’s enough to hide a car in the next lane.

Common mirror problems and fixes

Mirrors take daily use, so small issues pop up. Many are straightforward repairs if you spot them early.

Problem	What you’ll notice	What to do next
Loose interior mirror	Mirror wobbles over bumps	Check the set screw on the mount; re-tighten.
Falling windshield mount	Mirror drops off the glass	Re-bond the mount button with a mirror adhesive kit.
Outside mirror vibration	Blurry view at speed	Inspect housing clips and fasteners; replace broken retainers.
Heater not working	Mirror stays foggy in rain	Check fuse and connector; replace heated glass if needed.
Power adjust dead	No movement from the switch	Test switch and wiring; verify power at the mirror plug.
Auto-dimming trouble	Stays dark or never dims	Clean sensors first; replace the mirror if the fault stays.
Cracked mirror glass	Split reflection, sharp edges	Replace the glass insert; wear gloves and eye protection.
Blind-spot indicator off	Light never turns on	Scan for codes; calibration may be needed after repairs.

Digital rearview mirrors and camera mirrors

Some newer cars replace, or supplement, the interior mirror with a screen that shows a rear camera feed. This is often called a digital rearview mirror. It can help when the rear window is blocked by cargo or a tall trunk line.

These can feel odd at first, since your eyes settle on a display instead of a reflection. Give yourself a few drives to adjust. If the image seems zoomed or distorted, check for a zoom setting in the mirror menu and wipe the camera lens.

Mirror terms you’ll hear in shops and insurance claims

Estimates and claim notes use parts language. These terms help you decode what’s being replaced:

• Mirror assembly: the whole unit—housing, glass, motor, wiring, cap.
• Mirror glass: just the reflective insert.
• Mirror housing: the shell that holds everything.
• Mirror cap: the painted cap on some designs.
• Signal mirror: an outside mirror with an integrated turn signal.

If a quote says “replace mirror assembly,” it’s a bigger job than “replace mirror glass.” Ask which one the shop means before you approve the work.

Quick check before you drive

This takes under a minute and pays off every time you merge or back out of a space:

• Wipe the inside and outside mirrors with a clean microfiber cloth.
• Confirm the inside mirror is centered on the rear window.
• Confirm each outside mirror shows mostly lane, with only a thin slice of your car.
• At night, test the dimming tab or auto-dimming response before you roll.
• If you’re towing, verify the trailer edge is visible in at least one outside mirror.

Once you know the names and what each mirror is meant to show, it’s easier to set them up right and to ask for the exact part you need when something breaks.