Backing into parking spots

[brockash]

I back in every day at work. I know it doesn't make real sense, but to me it's a win...one less millisecond before I get to leave lol. - I don't even dislike my job, but it's just how my brain works. Otherwise I usually just pull in, unless I think it'll be hard to back out of.

 

[tvguy]

As I suggested, you don't like waiting on others, but them waiting on you is just fine.

The wait isn't an issue. Them scraping the cars on either side while trying to back in is the issue.

 

[tvguy]

I usually back in to parking spots unless I anticipate needing to load groceries or large items into the back. I also back in my driveway and garage.



It’s actually fairly easy.

LOL. Not for a lot of folks.

 

[tvguy]

I’ll echo that it’s generally safer to back in & pull out than the alternative due to visibility.

Also, as vehicles have gotten larger (and more people driving pickups than ever, for example), it’s much more maneuverable to back a large vehicle into a perpendicular spot than trying to pull it in, due to the steering axle being at the front of the vehicle. This works with just mirrors, not even using backup cameras, but camera actually do make it even easier (most will show you your path based on how your wheels are turned).

As for people claiming backing in takes more time… no it doesn’t! I’ve seen the way most people back out of spots

LOL. I learned to drive on a 1960 Buick LeSabre. 218 inches long. More trucks for sure, but cars are much smaller now.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Is this the norm now? I was in a parking garage watching several people making multiple attempts to back into parking spots. I just don't get it. It is so much more work trying to do this without hitting cars on the other side. Yes, you can pull right out when you leave. But this seems like more effort than just pulling straight in and backing straight out of the spot, carefully.

I use to be very anti-backing in. Like I didn't understand it, and my in-laws always did it. But over the years, I've started to do it more. I think it's easier to pull out when you're leaving because you can see every thing and person in front of you. Plus, if you have to have a batter jump, it's easier when you're backed in

 

[mylilnikita]

LOL. I learned to drive on a 1960 Buick LeSabre. 218 inches long. More trucks for sure, but cars are much smaller now.

Some cars are a lot smaller doesn’t mean they know how to dive them either. You also didn’t have SUvs back then , all different sizes . Trucks are also now different sizes even in height.

Also some parking lots see to not have a lot of room in the strip of road between the rows of spaces.

. Size of the vehicle really isn’t the point , it’s of that person has the capacity to drive. it.

 

[sam_gordon]

The wait isn't an issue. Them scraping the cars on either side while trying to back in is the issue.

If people are scraping cars when backing in, they need to go practice backing up in an empty parking lot or something. I've NEVER scraped a car on either side (probably just jinxed myself). I've never seen anyone do it. If you're seeing multiple people do it, you're either very (un)lucky or there's a lot of bad drivers where you are.

The church we attend, on the back drive (so spots on both sides), there's probably 20-30 spots on either side that we go by before finding a spot and it's getting so 80%+ (possibly 90%) of the vehicles are backed in. These are cars, "large" pickup trucks, SUVs of various sizes, etc. Knock on wood, our car has never been scraped.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I also prefer pulling forward when possible.

 

[tvguy]

I use to be very anti-backing in. Like I didn't understand it, and my in-laws always did it. But over the years, I've started to do it more. I think it's easier to pull out when you're leaving because you can see every thing and person in front of you. Plus, if you have to have a batter jump, it's easier when you're backed in

LOL. A lot of cars have the battery in the trunk these days. Our 2020 Camry does.

 

[sam_gordon]

LOL. A lot of cars have the battery in the trunk these days. Our 2020 Camry does.

Are you sure that's the normal 12V battery? Many hybrids have the HV battery in the trunk, but the 12V battery (what you would jump start) is in the engine bay.

 

[tvguy]

Are you sure that's the normal 12V battery? Many hybrids have the HV battery in the trunk, but the 12V battery (what you would jump start) is in the engine bay.

It is a hybrid and it is in the trunk. My neighbors Mercedes is an ICE only and has the battery in the trunk. Fast forward to 2:43 in. The propulsion battery is under the backseat. My daughters Ford Fusion Hybrid had both batteries in the trunk.

 

[barkley]

LOL. A lot of cars have the battery in the trunk these days. Our 2020 Camry does.

my circa 70's vw bug had it's battery under the backseat-p.i.t.a. when you were traveling and using that backseat as desparatly needed 'trunk space' (cuz if it was winter and you drove on slick/windy roads you better believe your actual front end trunk was filled with a couple of LARGE sand bags to give you some weight).

portable jump starters are one of the best inventions ever (and most parking lot security, if not actual in-store security have them on hand/charged and at the ready to help a customer out ).

 

[RangerPooh]

Unless I’m in a specific spot in the parking garage at work, I will almost always back in. While grocery shopping I’ll pull straight forward to park, as I need to open my jeeps tailgate to put items in the “trunk”.