Ray Magliozzi
Dear Car Talk:
There are times when I feel like my back-up camera would give me a better view of what’s behind me than the rearview mirror. I’m not talking about when I back up or park. I’m talking about when I’m driving down the road or the highway.
It would be handy to turn the camera on when not in reverse. Any thoughts if this is a good idea and why it’s not an option? –– Sam
Yes, it is a good idea, Sam. And I know both General Motors and Toyota happen to agree with you.
There may be other makes that offer it by now, too, but we’ve seen it regularly on GM and Toyota products that we test drive. Essentially, there’s a switch you can flip on the rearview mirror, that changes it from a mirror to a video screen, showing a feed from a rear camera.
I don’t know if it’s literally the same camera that’s employed for backing up and parking, or they use another one that’s better placed for this purpose. But once you flip that switch, you have a nice, clear, unobstructed view of what’s going on behind you. It’s a revelation.
Your view isn’t blocked by the rear headrests, by the D-pillars, by the size of the rear window, or by your great aunt Regina’s beehive.
In addition, cameras and screens seem to get better every year. So, in the cars we’ve driven recently with video rearview cameras, you get a very bright, clear view of everything that’s happening behind your car.
It was clear to me instantly that it’s a vast improvement over a rearview mirror — which has been around since the Model T. Rearview mirror technology has also become less and less useful over the years as rear windows have gotten smaller, and D-pillars — the structural supports around the rear window on SUVs and wagons — have gotten thicker and more stylish.
There’s only one downside I discovered, Sam. When you’re using your rearview mirror for a video feed, you can’t use it to check and see if you have a piece of spinach in your teeth.
Got a question about cars? Write to Ray in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com.
