NHTSA Complaint #10332713 — 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA

THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR IS HOUSED IN A CASING OF REFLECTIVE METAL, THE SAME AS THE REST OF THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE SHAPE OF THE SHAFT CONNECTING THE CASING TO THE DOOR IS SHAPED NEARLY PARABOLIC, WHICH MEANS THAT IF PARALLEL RAYS OF LIGHT (SUCH AS FROM THE SUN) ARE COLLECTED AND FOCUSED SO THAT THEY CONCENTRATE AT ONE POINT. AS IT HAPPENS, THE GLARE FROM THE SUNLIGHT CONCENTRATES AT A POINT RIGHT AROUND WHERE THE DRIVER'S EYES WOULD BE. AT LEAST NEAR MY EYES, THOUGH I'M TALLER THAN AVERAGE (6'5"). THE GLARE IS VERY DISTRACTING FOR ME. I HAVE TO LEAN OFF TO THE SIDE TO TRY TO AVOID THE GLARE. IN THE PAST I'VE GOTTEN AROUND THE PROBLEM BY CUTTING STRIPS OF BLACK GAFFER'S TAPE (A KIND OF TAPE USED BY TV AND SOUND PROFESSIONALS) AND COVERING UP THE TOP OF THE MIRROR HOUSING. IT WAS RECENTLY TAKEN OFF WHEN I HAD SOME SCRATCHES BUFFED OUT ELSEWHERE ON THE CAR. I HAPPENED TO GET SOME DIRECT SUN TODAY, SO I GRABBED SOME PICTURES TO SHARE WITH YOU, IF YOU WANT THEM. *TR