What should you check on the mirrors during a pre-trip inspection?

Checking that the mirrors are clean and properly adjusted is crucial for a pre-trip inspection. Clean mirrors enhance visibility, allowing the driver to see their surroundings clearly and spot any potential hazards, pedestrians, or other vehicles during maneuvers such as lane changes and reversing. Proper adjustment ensures that the driver has a comprehensive view of the areas that may not be visible through the vehicle's windows, significantly contributing to overall safety while driving.

While some vehicles may have tinted mirrors, this is not a standard requirement for all vehicles and does not directly affect the functionality or the driver's ability to see critical areas. Electronic functionality of mirrors can be a feature in some vehicles, but it is not essential to the basic operation and effectiveness of the mirrors for safe driving. Shatterproof glass is also an advantageous feature, though it is not universally required, and a standard pre-trip inspection does not specifically focus on the material properties of the mirror glass. Thus, ensuring the cleanliness and proper adjustment of mirrors is a fundamental and critical step in a pre-trip inspection.