A-pillar blind spot?

madbay · 12-13-2005, 02:51 AM

With the super raked windshield, I've noticed that there's a significant blind spot in my front left corner (due to the A-pillar) when I'm driving. I keep having to lean forward or to the side to see traffic, etc. Has anyone else noticed this? It's a pretty serious safety concern, I'd say. I've had my sedan for about a month and lately it's been buggin' me. And it's not like my seat's height/position/recline is unusual or anything...I'm average height and my seat's adjusted accordingly. Ever since I noticed this I've sat in other cars to compare and, yes, the difference is huge.

Or, it's possible that I'm just digging for something to criticize about an otherwise unbelievable car...

Gimme your two cents.

**jasonandre** · 12-13-2005, 06:49 PM

This very thing crossed my mind when I test drove the Si during the Civic Live event. The problem is immediately noticeable.

This worried me up until I got back into my 2000 Accord and realized that I have the exact same problem in there too.

For the new Civic, it's definitely a wider A-frame, and so more noticeable. But it's nothing new. In fact, I'm willing to bet you get used to it within a week.

peliROJO · 12-13-2005, 07:14 PM

It's there, but you're digging.

SSlick406 · 12-13-2005, 07:35 PM

I'm blind in my right eye and it seemed okay when I test drove the car.

C17chief · 12-13-2005, 07:44 PM

That never really bothered me even at the first drive. What does bug me though is the back pillars on the coupes. Maybe its just the angle I'm used to looking back in other cars, but I turn around and end up staring right at the pillar and have to bob around some to see around it when backing up.

Igotsoul4u · 12-13-2005, 08:01 PM

I definetly feel that the car has many blind spots but thats the price you pay for a comfy cabin in a small car. The rear pillars are what screws me up in my coupe.

Scotty Mak · 12-13-2005, 08:19 PM

I have the same problem with the front. I'm used to the back now and I've been using my mirrors a lot. But Seriously...it's a small parice to pay for the Motor Trend Car Of The Year...Baby!

oncogene · 12-13-2005, 08:26 PM

Yep I noticed it too about the A-pillar.... definitely more blind area, or perhaps different blind area, than my previous ride. But I dont' think it's *too* big of a blind... probably just need time to get use to it and to know where to look. I think VW Beetles is much worse...

8thGenCivicDude · 12-13-2005, 09:36 PM

I haven't noticed the A-pillar being a prob. Maybe that's cuz I'm a taller dude, and have the seat back as far as it'll go, and down as far as it'll go. However, I have a huge left blind spot, especially with the headrest up to the centre of the back of my head like the manual says to set it. The rear pillars are pretty big too. Convex mirrors sure help tho :-D Got used to those since my '94 Civic, so that's what it's recommend if the rear blind spots are more of an issue for you. Helps you avoid straigning your kneck from moving too much it a bit too :-)

12-13-2005, 02:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
madbay Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 23 Posts: 19 iTrader: 0 / 0%	A-pillar blind spot? With the super raked windshield, I've noticed that there's a significant blind spot in my front left corner (due to the A-pillar) when I'm driving. I keep having to lean forward or to the side to see traffic, etc. Has anyone else noticed this? It's a pretty serious safety concern, I'd say. I've had my sedan for about a month and lately it's been buggin' me. And it's not like my seat's height/position/recline is unusual or anything...I'm average height and my seat's adjusted accordingly. Ever since I noticed this I've sat in other cars to compare and, yes, the difference is huge. Or, it's possible that I'm just digging for something to criticize about an otherwise unbelievable car... Gimme your two cents.

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12-13-2005, 07:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
peliROJO Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: currently in Africa Age: 30 Posts: 1,242 iTrader: 0 / 0%	It's there, but you're digging.

12-13-2005, 07:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
SSlick406 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 226 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I'm blind in my right eye and it seemed okay when I test drove the car.

12-13-2005, 07:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
C17chief Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 32 Posts: 137 iTrader: 0 / 0%	That never really bothered me even at the first drive. What does bug me though is the back pillars on the coupes. Maybe its just the angle I'm used to looking back in other cars, but I turn around and end up staring right at the pillar and have to bob around some to see around it when backing up.

12-13-2005, 08:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Igotsoul4u Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 29 Posts: 33 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I definetly feel that the car has many blind spots but thats the price you pay for a comfy cabin in a small car. The rear pillars are what screws me up in my coupe.

12-13-2005, 08:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scotty Mak Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Age: 26 Posts: 37 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I have the same problem with the front. I'm used to the back now and I've been using my mirrors a lot. But Seriously...it's a small parice to pay for the Motor Trend Car Of The Year...Baby!

12-13-2005, 08:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
oncogene Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario Canada Age: 31 Posts: 194 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Yep I noticed it too about the A-pillar.... definitely more blind area, or perhaps different blind area, than my previous ride. But I dont' think it's too big of a blind... probably just need time to get use to it and to know where to look. I think VW Beetles is much worse...

12-13-2005, 09:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
8thGenCivicDude Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London ON Age: 24 Posts: 83 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I haven't noticed the A-pillar being a prob. Maybe that's cuz I'm a taller dude, and have the seat back as far as it'll go, and down as far as it'll go. However, I have a huge left blind spot, especially with the headrest up to the centre of the back of my head like the manual says to set it. The rear pillars are pretty big too. Convex mirrors sure help tho :-D Got used to those since my '94 Civic, so that's what it's recommend if the rear blind spots are more of an issue for you. Helps you avoid straigning your kneck from moving too much it a bit too :-)