Driver's Side Front Roof Pillar & Visibility

[msmitka]

I've had my Yaris now for 2 weeks. Love it. But, comparing the driver's seat visibility (when looking to the left - turning for example) to my Mustang, I feel like I'm wearing an eye patch in the Yaris. The sloping pillar seems too wide, and in exactly the wrong place. Maybe it just takes some getting used to. Anyone else feel the same way?

[Marfulion]

In time you will forget about that.

[Yaris Hilton]

It takes getting used to, but DON'T forget about it! There is a blind spot on each side that can hide cars. You have to be aware and look around carefully at intersections.

[msmitka]

It takes getting used to, but DON'T forget about it! There is a blind spot on each side that can hide cars. You have to be aware and look around carefully at intersections.

Absolutely. I'm used to having the "typical" blind spot, but this is a bit like having "obstructed view seating".

[fmicle]

I think it's a matter of being used to something and adapting. I've heard other people complaining about the visibility in the Yaris, but when I switched from my Jeep Cherokee to the Yaris, I had the feeling that the visibility improved considerably...

[YarisSedan]

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/my5tic4l/Personal/mirror.jpgJust be glad you dont have a sedan. You cant see anything. Extreme blind spot. I had to buy one of those broadway convex mirrors. Now i have no blind spots =)

[msmitka]

Just be glad you dont have a sedan. You cant see anything. Extreme blind spot. I had to buy one of those broadway convex mirrors. Now i have no blind spots =)

I think I'll be picking up a few of those stick-on blind spot mirrors for the outside side-view mirrors, but it's mostly just the thickness and position of that down-slanting pillar that drives me nuts. That, and if I could get one more backward travel notch out of the driver's seat. But, these are things I'll live with. If that's the only things that come up, I'll be thrilled.

[msmitka]

the Yaris has one of the best visibility of recent cars, i love it. just make sure you actually move your head around when checking your blindspots. mirrors plus turning your head will make it a snap

Uh oh. So now, I'm wondering: What's wrong with *me*? :iono: I have started to move/turn to look, etc. I'm sure it'll be fine. I appreciate the info/suggestions from you and the others as well.

[bronsin]

The danger with the roof pilar is making a left hand turn. It can very easily block off a pedestrian crossing the street. You really need to makean effort to look a few times.

[BaknBlak]

The danger with the roof pilar is making a left hand turn. It can very easily block off a pedestrian crossing the street. You really need to makean effort to look a few times.

That is so true. There is 1 company adressing this problem, I think its Volvo. They put in 3 small solid metal supports(in a triangular shape) with 45 degree bracing between them, and wrapped it in a clear plastic. You can see right through it.

[msmitka]

The danger with the roof pilar is making a left hand turn. It can very easily block off a pedestrian crossing the street. You really need to makean effort to look a few times.

Yes, the left turn scenario is where it's the biggest issue.

[supmet]

The danger with the roof pilar is making a left hand turn. It can very easily block off a pedestrian crossing the street. You really need to makean effort to look a few times.

:bellyroll:

You're driving a vehicle a ton. You should probably "make an effort to look a few times" regardless of the pillar situation.

I agree with PK. Move your head, sit up straight(you'll be able to reach the steering wheel that way too.....) and there isn't a problem.

[2009BBPliftback]

I've noticed with cars with side curtain airbags that the front a pillars seem to be larger. I'm guessing this is to hide all the hardware that comes with the side curtains. just move your head around to look I've found it easy to adapt to.

[Yaris Hilton]

Yep, the airbags make the pillars bigger out of necessity. All cars have blind spots. You need to learn where they are and be cautious about them. As mentioned, head movement lets you look around them. If you're not careful, people and cars can be hidden in them.

[MUSKOKA800]

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/my5tic4l/Personal/mirror.jpgJust be glad you dont have a sedan. You cant see anything. Extreme blind spot. I had to buy one of those broadway convex mirrors. Now i have no blind spots =)

Do you have neck problems? I don't find my sedan any worse than other 4 door vehicles. Perhaps this is because I'm accustomed to driving heavy trucks which of course have now centre rear-view mirror view. This forces one to use the side mirror properly and be more aware of the surrounding traffic.
That said, there is one off ramp / left turn where my vision to the right is obstructed by the passengers head rest and door pillar. Not a biggy as I'm stopped there anyway. Aside from that one case I really don't find any other glaring vision shortcomings. I do enjoy our sedans extra large side mirrors. Almost truck-like. :thumbup:

[ern-diz]

with the '98 honda civic lx i had before my yaris, i really felt the way the OP does but rather than the pillar, it was the placement of the side view mirror that made me feel like i was driving with a left eye patch on...i think (and as others have mentioned) that it has a lot to do with seat positioning because i don't feel that way with the yaris...the large front window really opened things up for me after having been used to the view in my civic...

[bronsin]

:bellyroll:

You're driving a vehicle a ton. You should probably "make an effort to look a few times" regardless of the pillar situation.

.


Toyota is making millions of vehicles weighing over a ton. Itd be a lot better if they made them so you can see out at all times. Probably more effective than pillar air bags. (being able to easily and intuitively see peds)

[wooverstone8]

Overtime you'll get use to the blind spots on the Yaris and learn to work around them.

[gokartride]

It's typical, when moving from one car to another, for things to seem off/out-of-place. Give it time.

[AmyV]

Long story short, you'll adapt :smile:

I switched from driving a 67 Ford Fairlane to the Yaris. Haha so I felt like everything was in the way! A couple weeks later, everything felt like it fit. Give it some time, pay attention to where blind spots are (they are different for every car and every person!), and you will be just fine :smile:

[msmitka]

Long story short, you'll adapt :smile:

I switched from driving a 67 Ford Fairlane to the Yaris. Haha so I felt like everything was in the way! A couple weeks later, everything felt like it fit. Give it some time, pay attention to where blind spots are (they are different for every car and every person!), and you will be just fine :smile:

Thanks. Actually, I'm already more comfortable with it, but as you and others have said, paying attention is important. Getting too comfortable isn't a good thing.

Now, as for that '67 Fairlane - that's when a car was a car! I wonder how many Yari would fit inside it? :smile:

[AmyV]

Now, as for that '67 Fairlane - that's when a car was a car! I wonder how many Yari would fit inside it? :smile:

Haha, yeah. At least 3 :wink:

I park my Yaris right next to the Fairlane every night, and the Yaris is a freaking dwarf next to it!

So I just keep telling my Yaris that size doesn't matter... :wink:

And I will set up my garage here as soon as I have time. Then you can take a peek at my Fairlane.

[talnlnky]

blind spots in the rear are a bigger concern for me... due to the short length of the yaris, the blind spots are wider in the rear than on most vehicles.

[birdman]

I have driven my lift back in insane fast traffic and never had a problem with the front pillars. There is a bit of a blind spot if you don't carefully position the drivers side mirror. Nearly got creamed a few times pulling into the left lane with a vehicle hiding in that blind spot.

[Sir A.Y. Atoyot]

I almost had a head-on collision on my insurance agent's parking lot when I first got the car! I've learned to "bob and weave" a bit to see past the post when turning or changing lanes - I do it now without thinking.

[birdman]

I've tried to see if its possible for the front posts to hide an obstacle behind it and dont see how it could at that angle. The right rear is one that you need to watch.

[tomato]

Overtime you'll get use to the blind spots on the Yaris and learn to work around them.

+1

OP: I felt the same way the first time I test drove the Yaris.
the car I had before (may she rest in peace) had EXCELLENT visibility all around.
Took a while to even feel comfortable parallel parking the Yaris (can't see the sidewalk, can't see in front of the hood) but you do it eventually.

You'll adapt, you'll see:smile:

[birdman]

Had an Audi once that sensed the curb and automatically tilted down the side mirrors when placed in reverse then returned them to their memory position when moved forward. Now I manually use my power mirrors to view the curb.
For all the Audis refinement I still think the Yaris is the best car for money I've ever had. I was thinking about the Mini before I learned it had no spare tire. The Yaris is so marvelously adequate.

[Yaris Hilton]

I've tried to see if its possible for the front posts to hide an obstacle behind it and dont see how it could at that angle. The right rear is one that you need to watch.

It can. I didn't see how, either, till I almost missed seeing oncoming vehicles a couple of times. I don't mean to overstate the problem, though, just encourage staying vigilant and keeping the head moving...

BTW, I have a 2009 with airbags in the A-pillars. The 2008 may have skinnier pillars.

[msmitka]

It can. I didn't see how, either, till I almost missed seeing oncoming vehicles a couple of times. I don't mean to overstate the problem, though, just encourage staying vigilant and keeping the head moving...

BTW, I have a 2009 with airbags in the A-pillars. The 2008 may have skinnier pillars.

I agree. You wouldn't think it would be a problem, but that's exactly how I discovered it - by surprise. And yes, it could be that it's the airbags adding width to the pillars.

[bronsin]

Had an Audi once that sensed the curb and automatically tilted down the side mirrors when placed in reverse then returned them to their memory position when moved forward. Now I manually use my power mirrors to view the curb.
For all the Audis refinement I still think the Yaris is the best car for money I've ever had. I was thinking about the Mini before I learned it had no spare tire. The Yaris is so marvelously adequate.


Yeah Audi's have all those nutball features which will only failin the long run and cause all kinds of trouble. The simpler the better...