Backing into a parking spot

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

It seems to be the only way to park in Asia.

Why don't we do it here? But the bigger question is... WTF it's illegal where i live

A Terry-the-Sheriff-Man says it is a violation to back into a spot in a Santa Clara County parking lot.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Absolutely yes. Studies have shown it's a lot safer to back into a parking spot, rather than backing out, where your visibility is reduced and you're much more likely to hit something.

I always back in. You need to petition to have that law changed because it's retarded.

 

[shopbruin]

I read that this morning. I can only think of a few reasons:

1. If the spot is near plants, the constant exhaust fumes being pumped into the plants isn't good.
2. If the spot is near a wall, the fumes eventually wind up leaving a mark on the wall.
3. If the lot has assigned parking with permits, you have to be facing a certain direction for the enforcement people to read your permits.

 

[coldmeat]

Yup, always back in or usually try to find 2 empty spaces together so I can just drive through.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I often don't, but after reading this thread I will try to in the future.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

So the purpose of backing in is to get out safer? Ahh. But given the dumb people on the roads would backing in be safer than backing out?

I always thought of it as a time issue because it's inherently slower to back in than back out right? You gotta line up the spot and then slowly back in, etc?

 

[Dumac]

It was against the rules at my school to back into your parking space...

I don't know why. I still did it though, because they weren't that strict at enforcing any parking rules (I also parked on the grass sometimes)

 

[nobody554]

Never do (where's the pole?), but I will drive through to the second spot if it's available. It's a time issue for me.



Well, not so much an "issue" as I'm just really lazy and want to be done quickly.

 

[nakedfrog]

I usually find a spot where I can pull through.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
So the purpose of backing in is to get out safer? Ahh. But given the dumb people on the roads would backing in be safer than backing out?

I always thought of it as a time issue because it's inherently slower to back in than back out right? You gotta line up the spot and then slowly back in, etc?

Yes, backing in is safer because as you approach the spot, you can look around for potential obstacles. You can see out of all windows.

When backing out, most people don't check behind their vehicle first. Even if you do "circle check", there is less visibility out the rear window as you back out, and the vehicles at the sides can block your view as you reverse. It is harder to see approaching vehicles and pedestrians than it is looking out the windshield.

With enough practice, backing in is just as fast as backing out, so that point is irrelevant.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I usually find a spot where I can pull through.

:thumbsup: This is of course the preferred option, whenever it's available.

 

[TallBill]

I used to back in all the time, till I lost my right side rear view mirror. Makes it tough.

 

[gwai lo]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
I always thought of it as a time issue because it's inherently slower to back in than back out right? You gotta line up the spot and then slowly back in, etc?

Well, you will lose a few seconds by having to drive by it and then stop and reverse, but after you do it a few times, you won't need to line it up and back it slowly.

I always try to back in when I'm in a parking structure or small parking lot, otherwise it depends on how lazy I feel.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Since I traded in the Mustang for a full size truck, I've started backing into my garage at home. It's nice being able to open my door all the way, instead of trying to squeeze out between my truck and the wife's car.

 

[lxskllr]

I do it both ways. It depends on my mood, and the local terrain.

 

[Willy Duet]

From a purely physics point of view, you should always back into a parking spot. The reasons are simple, if you pull into a parking spot, since your back wheels don't turn, there's no way to straighten out the back of the car while the front of your car is half way in the parking spot. This is especially true in narrow parking spots. If you turn your steering wheel, the car will either go diagonally into the spot or the entire car will move closer to one side of the spot depending on which way you turn the wheel. Meanwhile, when you back into a spot, you can still straighten out the front of the car once you are halfway in the spot as you can just move the front of the car from side to side moving by turning the wheel.

The advantage of backing in is even more evident when pulling out. If you are pulling out of a tight parking spot, you can start to turn you wheel once your car is halfway out of the spot without hitting a car next to you. When you have to back out of a tight spot, you can't fully turn your wheel until the front of the car has cleared the cars next to you. This usually means that you are already fully into the aisle before you can turn your wheels to drive down the aisle. If there is not a lot of room between the row that you are in and the row across from you this can pose a problem as it usually takes a lot of going back and force to get your car in a position to drive away.

 

[MotF Bane]

Whenever possible.

 

[irishScott]

Don't see the point. Just back out slowly and you'll be fine. I live in a DC suburb, so I'm not lacking for traffic. I generally only back into a spot as a last resort (ie: lot is full and someone behind me pulls out). I pull through if I can.

 

[EGGO]

Heck yes. It's actually easier for me to back into a parking spot than to turn into it.

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: Willy Duet
From a purely physics point of view, you should always back into a parking spot. The reasons are simple, if you pull into a parking spot, since your back wheels don't turn, there's no way to straighten out the back of the car while the front of your car is half way in the parking spot. This is especially true in narrow parking spots. If you turn your steering wheel, the car will either go diagonally into the spot or the entire car will move closer to one side of the spot depending on which way you turn the wheel. Meanwhile, when you back into a spot, you can still straighten out the front of the car once you are halfway in the spot as you can just move the front of the car from side to side moving by turning the wheel.

The advantage of backing in is even more evident when pulling out. If you are pulling out of a tight parking spot, you can start to turn you wheel once your car is halfway out of the spot without hitting a car next to you. When you have to back out of a tight spot, you can't fully turn your wheel until the front of the car has cleared the cars next to you. This usually means that you are already fully into the aisle before you can turn your wheels to drive down the aisle. If there is not a lot of room between the row that you are in and the row across from you this can pose a problem as it usually takes a lot of going back and force to get your car in a position to drive away.

Not true in my experience, unless you're so close you can't even get out of the door. You can always turn a little, just take it slow and make sure you don't hit the car next to you. Just takes practice. I'm so used to it by now I usually come within an inch of the car next to me out of habit. Haven't had a single collision or scrape since Junior year of high school (am now a Junior in College)

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I do it both ways. It depends on my mood, and how many drinks i've had.

Fixed

 

[zinfamous]

hell yeah!

:thumbsup:

where's the pole?

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: freesia39
I read that this morning. I can only think of a few reasons:

1. If the spot is near plants, the constant exhaust fumes being pumped into the plants isn't good.
2. If the spot is near a wall, the fumes eventually wind up leaving a mark on the wall.
3. If the lot has assigned parking with permits, you have to be facing a certain direction for the enforcement people to read your permits.

4. California has a hard-on for unnecessary laws.

I sometimes back into spots, but the turning circle on my car is so great and the fact that I have lots of experience putting cars in tight places kind of makes parking a breeze for me.

 

[thescreensavers]

Also Backing into a spot is better for MPGs!. You can get out faster and thus your engine will get to proper operating temperature quicker.

I read this in extreme hypermiling website lol

 

[shortylickens]

Based on MY PERSONAL DRIVING SKILLS:
I find it easier to back out. Less stuff to hit. I always look while I'm backing out so thats not an issue. But for me, backing in requires about the same precision of parallel parking and frankly, my S-10's crappy turning just isnt good enough for either activity unless I have lots of extra room and the time available to redo it if I screw up.

Incidentally I could fuck up a cup of coffee.
And have.
Frequently.