Tips for parking in tight spots

[eyoungren]

Ah good tip. Thanks! I'm in the US as well. At this point, I wish when I bought my car back in 2011, they had cars that came with the backup cameras standard as they do now because I'm sure those help a lot when wanting to back in to a parking lot, etc.

Backup cameras do help a lot. We had a 2012 Sentra (the reason we now have a 2013 instead is a whole different tale) which had one.

The problem with them however is that they tend to see things closer than they appear (like the warning in mirrors). So you think you're parked close in and you get out and find this huge gap between the back of the car and the curb!

I also didn't like to rely on them too much because doing that tends to dull your own eyeball judgement skills. It can lead to overconfidence and then you look like an idiot when you get out of the car and it's cockeyed and not backed all the way in.

Had that happen a few times.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Ah good tip. Thanks! I'm in the US as well. At this point, I wish when I bought my car back in 2011, they had cars that came with the backup cameras standard as they do now because I'm sure those help a lot when wanting to back in to a parking lot, etc.

I've only recently got a car with a reversing camera and sensors.
But the truth is you can either reverse park or you can't. They are only aids.
I learnt to do it as we had a very narrow drive when I was growing up.

 

[heehee]

I try to find a space at the end of the row and park on the line so the car beside mine has more than enough room to open their full door.

If I can't find an end of row spot, I find the space with the most room and the cars besides park straight and it's a nicer car than mine.

 

[MacNut]

But a bicycle.

How tight is this parking spot.

 

[ApplePersonFreak]

I try to find a space at the end of the row and park on the line so the car beside mine has more than enough room to open their full door.

If I can't find an end of row spot, I find the space with the most room and the cars besides park straight and it's a nicer car than mine.

Aww, you're such a nice person! Wish there were more out there like you. Some people here purposely park like crap just so you don't take the spot next to them, and you can't because they're either so crooked or half way between both lines.

 

[OLDCODGER]

Aww, you're such a nice person! Wish there were more out there like you. Some people here purposely park like crap just so you don't take the spot next to them, and you can't because they're either so crooked or half way between both lines.

There are some places in the great land of Oz that would earn one some modified paintwork if they did that (graffiti with a knife).

 

[eyoungren]

I find backing in to be an advantage if you know the cars of the people you work with. Most of us at work have specific spots we park our cars in and because all of us do not have passengers I can park closer to the passenger side of the editor (she parks head in) if I need to because there is no one who will be getting into the passenger side of her car.

It makes for a little leeway when the idiots who can't read ignore the "No Parking" sign next to my spot.

 

[Roller]

I generally reverse into spots for a different reason. Once I've maneuvered into position to back in, the likelihood of another car crossing behind me is nil. There's a small chance that a pedestrian might, so I look carefully. When I leave, it's much easier to see other vehicles and people driving forward than it is backing out.

 

[ApplePersonFreak]

There are some places in the great land of Oz that would earn one some modified paintwork if they did that (graffiti with a knife).

LOL, yeah it's quite terrible. People where I live don't give a rats a**, and most of the time if they drive a truck or a big SUV then they act like they own the road. Sad.

 

[Huntn]

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Seriously, if a new car is not an option, scope out a nearby parking lot with decent size parking spaces.

 

[ApplePersonFreak]

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Seriously, if a new car is not an option, scope out a nearby parking lot with decent size parking spaces.

LOL!!! I know I always got disappointed when I thought a parking spot was empty and turns out a smart car was parking in one.

 

[skinsone]

LOL, yeah it's quite terrible. People where I live don't give a rats a**, and most of the time if they drive a truck or a big SUV then they act like they own the road. Sad.

Well now, not all who drive a truck own the road . I see this behavior every time I drive. The arrogance they have; thinking their name is on the road and they own it. Same for parking lots. I live and shop in a college town and believe me, these young adult college students don't care about road etiquette or rules of the road.

I drive a 2015 Silverado. I always back into a parking space, the way I was taught many, many years ago. I never park in a congested lot and will look for spaces usually at the far end of a building or farther away from where I want to go and walk a good distance. The hospital parking lots near me are the worse around here.

My truck has the towing side-mirrors so I use them and not the backup camera to backup. Backup camera is only used when there are obstacles blocking my view, like those big red or orange space markers in a parking lot.

We taught our kids and grandkids to back into a space as it's much easier to pull out then back out and they have mastered it well.

 

[ApplePersonFreak]

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Well now, not all who drive a truck own the road . I see this behavior every time I drive. The arrogance they have; thinking their name is on the road and they own it. Same for parking lots. I live and shop in a college town and believe me, these young adult college students don't care about road etiquette or rules of the road.

I drive a 2015 Silverado. I always back into a parking space, the way I was taught many, many years ago. I never park in a congested lot and will look for spaces usually at the far end of a building or farther away from where I want to go and walk a good distance. The hospital parking lots near me are the worse around here.

My truck has the towing side-mirrors so I use them and not the backup camera to backup. Backup camera is only used when there are obstacles blocking my view, like those big red or orange space markers in a parking lot.

We taught our kids and grandkids to back into a space as it's much easier to pull out then back out and they have mastered it well.

Yeah, I was looking at the satellite view on Google Maps and there are some nice spots to back into, just hope that it's not too crowded when I go on Wednesday. I've just recently started backing in too because it's a whole lot easier.

 

[Septembersrain]

I think this is one of the benefits almost no one in my city (in Texas) realizes. They've all got huge vehicles. Meanwhile I can park pretty much anywhere in my tiny car. What's the point of a huge 8 cylinder car/truck in all this city traffic with all these small parking spots?

If this issue isn't applied, I'd just recommend maybe getting a ride through a friend or Uber like service?

 

[Mac'nCheese]

When dealing with a tight spot, always back in, that way you can get out quick if you have to. Take it slow and easy. If the angle isn't right, don't be afraid to pull out and try again.

 

[skinsone]

When dealing with a tight spot, always back in, that way you can get out quick if you have to. Take it slow and easy. If the angle isn't right, don't be afraid to pull out and try again.

. And I'll add this ... be cautious of other vehicles in the same lane who don't have the mental capacity to see and understand you are backing into a space.

Have had many a flip off's from drivers who are impatient and have to wait 15 seconds for me to park. I just and give a wave sometimes.

 

[ApplePersonFreak]

So went to my appointment today and backed in the parking spot! luckily I came a bit early so there were tons of empty spaces, so I pulled into one and just made my way back and parked nicely in my little spot. When I got out, there was of course a huge truck next to me and another car that parked pretty close to my passengers side, but luckily I was able to get out with no issues due to no other cars coming towards me. thanks for the advice, everyone. Like I said in my post, I know it sounds silly, but had I waited a bit longer it is going to be so much harder to back in.

 

[eyoungren]

. And I'll add this ... be cautious of other vehicles in the same lane who don't have the mental capacity to see and understand you are backing into a space.

Have had many a flip off's from drivers who are impatient and have to wait 15 seconds for me to park. I just and give a wave sometimes.

On the flip side of this I pulled around to back in at home one day and there was a guy on a 10 speed bike crossing behind me on the sidewalk. I patiently waited in the street for him to pass before backing in to my driveway.

He thanked me profusely for waiting for him. Guess he was used to cars cutting him off or something.

 

[skinsone]

On the flip side of this I pulled around to back in at home one day and there was a guy on a 10 speed bike crossing behind me on the sidewalk. I patiently waited in the street for him to pass before backing in to my driveway.

He thanked me profusely for waiting for him. Guess he was used to cars cutting him off or something.

Totally agree with ya. I won't back in and hold up traffic. I'll pull over and wait for them to pass by me. It's those idiot drivers who speed around the parking lanes obvious to any driver pulling out or backing into a space. They are just plain rude. They are also the drivers who ride the back of motorcycles on the road.

 

[jeyf]

adjust one or more side view mirror(s) to include the curb in its field of vision. Use this while parking.

park next to a parking lot end cap; 50% less chance to get those door dings.
just say no to tight spots, patience, wait for a spot to open up that matches your comfort level.

 

[crf8]

Park next to a 4 door car, the doors open less distance than a 2 door car.

 

[maflynn]

I usually avoid tight parking spots, mostly because people are clueless. I'd rather be over in the next parking lot across the street then risk my vehicle getting dented.

 

[ApplePersonFreak]

I usually avoid tight parking spots, mostly because people are clueless. I'd rather be over in the next parking lot across the street then risk my vehicle getting dented.

Yep, same here. Have a dent right near my rear tire because someone opened their door too hard and hit the side of my car. People these days seem to have no sense of care for others around them.