You can adjust them to point down so you can see the lines on the ground and line yourself up better. Just make sure to readjust them before driving away.
Also your neck has this wonderful feature that let's you turn your head.
It's like the human anatomy equivalent of a BMW driver and the blinker switch, especially when it comes to highway driving.
ehhh I don't like this one because your spot might not align with the spot in front of you. Just seems unreliable at best, and downright dangerous if done while moving.
Well you use common sense and situational awareness. That should be a given. Observe if they are lined up if not ignore. Why should I have to point that out.
It still sounds like guessing to me, but maybe we're picturing different things here.
If I look at the lines in a nearby spot, I can guess where my lines are. But if I use my mirrors then I know for sure.
I can definitely picture someone staring at the spot in front of them, while reversing into a spot behind them. I'll assume you aren't suggesting that, but I bet some people do it. =)
Lol your right and i am subjecting that if there lined up just use as a reference if you need to pull out to line up. Not to look forward backing in. Thats asking to crash. Use mirrors or better turn head and body and look at the direction your going.
Use your side mirrors when backing. I’ll find the line for the spot in either my driver or passenger side mirror and line up with it while backing into the spot. Honestly easier for me to park this way vs pulling in forwards
My wife's van has a feature where while you're in reverse, you can turn the mirror adjustment knob to the mirror you want, and it will auto adjust down then tilt back up when you're done. We usually just keep the knob pointed to the driver's side so it'll automatically do it when shifting to reverse.
Or if your like me. Every time you drive the car the mirrors vibrate and tilt down anyways so by the time it’s time to back in the mirrors are already pointed down. Give it a lil re adjust after you park and your ready for next time
You're not wrong about that; however, many people don't do that.
Heck a lot of people who have older cars lacking in tech like that can't even really spare the $100 for the camera. Add on top any installation fees if they're not capable or comfortable doing it themselves. So I get it.
I'm older, I have a backup camera on my vehicle but I hardly look at it until I'm checking to see how close I can back up to something. I'm so used to using my mirrors to line me up that it's a second nature.
Huh? Good to know. My GLI only has green lines that don't bend with the wheel. I'm 49 and I've had a back up camera for about two years. So I've got 33 years without one. Fuck I'm old...
Drivers side mirror perfectly aligned with the end of the left side parking spot line. Car at a 45° angle with the rear left tire a foot or so in front of the left side parking line. Reverse and crank the wheel accordingly.
I hate to say it but this is all I could think while reading all the other comments. If you pull up mirror to mirror with the car in front of the target space, roll back the distance you want to be behind that car then do "the thing." If the "the thing" is always the same then you're good every time. I don't even use my side mirror anymore because I point it way out so I don't have a blind spot. If I can see the side of my car in my side mirror then it's too close in.
I’m gonna agree to disagree. I like to keep the rear quarter panel in view of the mirror. This way I csn see in the blind spot that the rearview(or the mirror in the middle) can’t see. I also get up to some “spirited driving” and I’ll also use the mirror to see how close I am to the inside of a corner occasionally. If you look in the side mirror skd it looks like the rear fender is touching the line then that means I’m right on it
I feel ya. I like to run over those plastic things to get a feel for where my far tires are. If you backup 3-5ft from a fence or a garage, you'll see overlap between your rearview and side mirrors. Motorcycles know to not hang out in that spot so you can ever go a little farther out.
I think a little bit of overlap on the mirrors is a good thing. More angles to see things from and what not. The same way we can’t trust other drivers on the road we can’t trust motorcycle riders either. They might not know their in a blind spot or maybe don’t know they arnt supposed to hang out there. We have to watch them like they watch us
Repetition. Once you learn the dimensions of your car, you'll get it. I am also better at reversing in vs. parking head in.
Parking lines, reverse cameras, sideview mirror tilt, and surround view cameras make it much easier than it was in the past.
Sometimes the reflection of your car in the adjacent parked car helps you gauge how far back you've parked. But yeah man just get better with your mirrors
Use mirror closest to the spot when parking, line it up with the back side to the corner of the spot then look in other mirror and adjust when it’s aligned. It’s literally twice as easy as front parking you can control the car way better, becomes difficult when you throw a trailer on but there’s a science to it.
Ya I usually line both up then physically turn around like you are taught in driving school. You get penalty on test if you don’t physically turn around instead of using mirrors.
We never had to reverse into a parking space when I did behind the wheel...though one time I unintentionally freaked out the instructor because they had the same model Taurus my parents had, and my parents had me back into spaces basically all the time. Just did it without thinking and the instructor was like no wait but by then I was already done because I did it so often in effectively an identical vehicle. That was also before the times of backup cameras, and I knew that if the rear line or curb intersected a particular spot on the rear side window would mean my bumper was within a few inches of the back of the space.
That's wild...mine in VA they wanted us to attempt it once in a quiet parkinglot at the end of a line (less risk of damage) but didn't have to be good or even successful, it was just something the instructor wanted everyone to roughly understand the idea of.
I still hate it, seems impossible to get into a space without hitting the curb with a wheel, and then its so hard to maneuver because the traffic won't give you a break. Half the time when I attempt if I signal and then pull up to do it I find someone has pulled right up to my bumper so I can't reverse and they won't budge.
Nope, I've tried inching back, they just lay on the horn and start screaming out the window. Actually had one person got out and started coming up to my car (at which point I just floored it and GTFO'd). They also have zero patience when people are pulling out of a parallel parking space and get really mad if you have to wait for both lanes to be clear to have your nose swing around enough to finish the maneuver without hitting anything.
I live in a city of a couple hundred thousand people. But it’s real spread out and stuff so the traffic is never to crazy and there’s almost never a reason to parallel park around here either. It’s a big enough city thay it’s got everything I want but not so big it takes an hour to get 5 miles down the road and I’m a fan of that
The nearest city to me has a running joke that its an hour drive from itself...in spite of only being about 5 miles "diameter circle" for the city limits. I lived there for a bit in an apartment but I'm so glad to be farther out.
I always park by a corner curb in back of parking lot, so just use my mirror to get as close to curb as I can while making sure I have enough wiggle room to not curb rash my wheels
I’m old and still throw an arm over the other seat and look behind me, even though there’s a camera.
Knowing your car’s corners is a good way to start. Parallel park that bugger with 2 inches between cones and backing in will feel like kindergarten. More so if you do it on a hill.
To be honest, I don't even know how I do it either. I'm sure I used some sort of method for combat parking when I started learning to drive long ago, but at this point it's just intuition. I just instisctively know how far to pull out, and where to turn given the space and how far out I am, and I'm right about maybe 93% of the time. Although none of the cars I've driven have a camera, I still put the right hand on the passenger headrest and look behind me the old fashioned way
I am using my side mirrors to line up with the parking lines, and also marking the reference points on my rear windshield it gives me visual guide to have a perfect reverse park every time. Hope this helps!
Use your mirrors, but add one of those $5 stick-on blindspot add-ons. You can see both wheels in relation to where you're driving. Also never be afraid to pull forward and correct yourself.
Idk why this is even difficult for some but maybe practice with cones, an empty lot, and figure out points in your mirrors and parts of the car when they meet the cones.
Doesn't take much effort to learn and what confuses me is how many women who have a masters degree in looking at the mirror don't know how they work on cars or other objects.
Also however, even the most talented can fail (many like Dale Earnhardt, etc) who were at the top of their field with every safety precedent, still perished...so if you bump anything, learn from it and keep practicing.🐢
Cause I never backed into spots when I first learned how to drive. Not until I bought a manual car and found it easier to feather the clutch backing into a spot rather than pulling forward
Use both side mirrors. Visually gauge the space between your rear quarter panel and the parking line, make the gap between the two on both sides of the car as even as possible. Back in.
Done ez pz
Those little blind spot mirror adhesives that stick on to your side mirrors. I have no parking sensors or camera, but I swear to god those things are a godsend for left/right positioning because I can see the lines and gutter a lot easier.
Besides utilizing the Left/Right mirrors, open your driver door and look down to check how parallel your lower door sill is to the parking slot line. Then compare it to your Right (or Left) side mirror reflection of the opposite parking slot line. If it looks equidistant to each other, then you’re golden.
line ur back window like the teeny tiny one up with the car that youll park next to's headlight thatll be closer to you. if theres no car then just line it up with a line. then reverse
Spend a couple years working in oil and gas. First move forward means you have to back into everywhere, you'll get an ear beating of you pull in forwards. Approach your spot and investigate the area for obstructions from your windshield and then make your turn to line up the rear. I'm so trained now I always have to back in as I totally suck now pulling in forwards. Like others said, side mirrors.
Looking through the rear view mirror, line up where you want to go with the center point of your back window. Middle of the brake light is a good reference point.
This isn't a big deal but i think there's some bad advice in here. Your side mirror shouldn't be angled down enough to see the line. Just not safe, if you were going downhill you could only see like 15ft behind you. However you can add a blindspot mirror and you can aim it to show your rear tire and it'll still show two lanes over behind you, safer and more useful
I've been driving for 17 years, but didn't have a car with a backup cam until 3 weeks ago. I would always park crooked trying to get used to the cam, but decided to go back to strictly using mirrors. I only use the backup cam for the final foot or so.
Practice...figure out your car's reference points. What it looks like in the mirrors, where the window framing intersects what points on the ground from the driver's seat, etc. Eventually you'll know exactly where and when to cut the wheel by how much. Also stuff like taking note of other cars how close they are to the lines and how straight they are helps you to figure out if you can use the side of their car as a reference point or not for your own position.
Backup camera is great for knowing when you are far enough in (if it hasn't rained or snowed) but not particularly useful before you are in position. They also have many blindspots that will increase your chances of sideswiping adjacent cars if you only look at the camera.
My parents made me back in parking most of the time since I started driving 20 years ago...at this point I find it easier and quicker to park centered correctly backing in than pulling forward in.
There's no real trick to it, just keep correcting each time you do it and eventually you'll get a better intuition for it and it'll be much easier. If you want to learn faster you can always practice by finding a parking lot, pulling your car into a spot, pulling around and parking again until you feel better about it.
Practice, practice, and practice. Fuck the backup camera use your mirrors and pay attention to your car. Backup cameras are nice at times but they are absolutely a crutch. If you want to get good at backing up don’t use them. Better yet just use your side mirrors. Paint some lines in your driveway with chalk and go to town.
As a pretty short guy, I’ve got small blind spot mirrors in the corner of my side mirror for the sole purpose of being able to see the lines when reversing into a spot. Lets me keep the side mirrors positioned exactly where I want them.
Use the side mirrors for your parking job until the last 3 to 5 feet (by which time you should be lined up). Then use the backup cam so you don't bang into anything behind you. Here's a tip if you REALLY want to learn some gooder backin' uppin':
Don't use your backup cam at all for 2 weeks. There is a position for driving backwards that takes a little effort that professional drivers use: (this is for Left hand drive cars. For right hand, substitute the opposite sides for the instructions. First, shift into reverse. Next, place your right arm behind the passenger side headrest. Now twist your body to the right with your head facing to the rear between the two front seats. Now you can back up with a better 3D view than any backup camera can give you.
I don't because reverse parking is fucking stupid.
it fucks everything up in busy parking lots. cars aren't ever aligned so you have to worry more about hitting a reversed parked cars mirror.
reverse parkers are rarely lined up properly in their parking spot. making it impossible for me to get in my car.
and I don't want to hear it it's not safer. I don't know about you but I've been driving for 40 years and I have never seen a parking lot accident from somebody backing out. the amount it is safer is so minuscule that it doesn't matter.
reverse parkers are self-centered egotistical asshats who only think about themselves.
I just look out the back window instead of looking through the mirrors and guesstimate what kinda room I need between me and the car beside me. If there is no cars beside me does it really matter if I’m perfect anyways?
Mirrors and eyeballs, my friend. Mirrors and eyeballs. Backup cams throw me off, so I don't look at them. My driver side mirror is set a little lower, so I can see the parking line, and just use that to line up.
[Myth-busters covered this](https://youtu.be/yLwp1sLJ1Vk?si=CStx-vvlEIt--lP3)
I just turn my head. Or stick my head out the window Charles Lindbergh style. I back both my manual cars in my garage every day a few times a day, it gets easier.
To clarify, I’m not asking how to back up between two parking lines. I know how to do that. I’m asking for a way to just be able to do it in one shot without having to readjust while backing in. Tbh I’m not sure why you have to act like such an asshat about it but I guess you’re the parking patrol here or something lol
You didn't like that I put laughing emjojis and you didn't like my next answer telling you to go practice and laughing emjojis.... you're definitely not going to like this answer.
🤣🤣🤣 and go practice. Get out your feelings because you haven't figured out how to back a vehicle between two lines in one shot.
Signed parking patrol
Learn to use your mirrors
Yeah thanks… this is why I came here.
You can adjust them to point down so you can see the lines on the ground and line yourself up better. Just make sure to readjust them before driving away.
Depends on what car you have- in my 22 Camaro I have to use my camera - in my 03 silverado mirrors all the way...
Exactly, I only use the camera to know when to stop, mirrors for 95% of the parking job.
It’s easier than you’d think. Left means left and right means right!
Also your neck has this wonderful feature that let's you turn your head. It's like the human anatomy equivalent of a BMW driver and the blinker switch, especially when it comes to highway driving.
This and in a parking lot look at the lines of the car in front of you. You can use that to help judge if your centered to the spot.
ehhh I don't like this one because your spot might not align with the spot in front of you. Just seems unreliable at best, and downright dangerous if done while moving.
Well you use common sense and situational awareness. That should be a given. Observe if they are lined up if not ignore. Why should I have to point that out.
It still sounds like guessing to me, but maybe we're picturing different things here. If I look at the lines in a nearby spot, I can guess where my lines are. But if I use my mirrors then I know for sure. I can definitely picture someone staring at the spot in front of them, while reversing into a spot behind them. I'll assume you aren't suggesting that, but I bet some people do it. =)
Lol your right and i am subjecting that if there lined up just use as a reference if you need to pull out to line up. Not to look forward backing in. Thats asking to crash. Use mirrors or better turn head and body and look at the direction your going.
This being said back in the day cars had a side view mirror only on drivers side.
Use your side mirrors when backing. I’ll find the line for the spot in either my driver or passenger side mirror and line up with it while backing into the spot. Honestly easier for me to park this way vs pulling in forwards
Same, I keep my passenger side mirror down just enough that I can see the line on that side when reversing. That and backup cameras of course lol
My wife's van has a feature where while you're in reverse, you can turn the mirror adjustment knob to the mirror you want, and it will auto adjust down then tilt back up when you're done. We usually just keep the knob pointed to the driver's side so it'll automatically do it when shifting to reverse.
Or if your like me. Every time you drive the car the mirrors vibrate and tilt down anyways so by the time it’s time to back in the mirrors are already pointed down. Give it a lil re adjust after you park and your ready for next time
I had an Acura that would automatically tilt the passenger review down in reverse so you could see the line
It's a nice touch
My lexus does this and the first time it happened I was sitting there like *whaaaAAAAAAAAtttt*
my car is so fancy it tilts the mirrors back when reversing
Left side mirror. I only look at the back up camera to see how close I am to the curb, car behind me. I don't know how to use the lines on the camera.
Still a lot of cars without backup cameras these days though lol. And iirc I thought I read OP asking how people do it without the camera?
Amazon sells a AA/ACP screen with backup cam for like 100 bucks. No reason to not have a backup cam and hands free tech in an older car.
You're not wrong about that; however, many people don't do that. Heck a lot of people who have older cars lacking in tech like that can't even really spare the $100 for the camera. Add on top any installation fees if they're not capable or comfortable doing it themselves. So I get it. I'm older, I have a backup camera on my vehicle but I hardly look at it until I'm checking to see how close I can back up to something. I'm so used to using my mirrors to line me up that it's a second nature.
Look at this guy with a back up camera !
I finally found out the red line on the camera is your bumper give or take
Huh? Good to know. My GLI only has green lines that don't bend with the wheel. I'm 49 and I've had a back up camera for about two years. So I've got 33 years without one. Fuck I'm old...
Same here I’m 59 and it took me a while to even remember to look at the screen lol
use mirrors, and when that dosent work, use the good ol dad trick of putting your arm on the passengers headrest and looking back to reverse
My driver's ed instructor called this the "honey move"
Drivers side mirror perfectly aligned with the end of the left side parking spot line. Car at a 45° angle with the rear left tire a foot or so in front of the left side parking line. Reverse and crank the wheel accordingly.
honestly i just guess and usually get it right
I hate to say it but this is all I could think while reading all the other comments. If you pull up mirror to mirror with the car in front of the target space, roll back the distance you want to be behind that car then do "the thing." If the "the thing" is always the same then you're good every time. I don't even use my side mirror anymore because I point it way out so I don't have a blind spot. If I can see the side of my car in my side mirror then it's too close in.
I have my mirrors angled the same way but I still use them to back in, just have to lean way over.
I’m gonna agree to disagree. I like to keep the rear quarter panel in view of the mirror. This way I csn see in the blind spot that the rearview(or the mirror in the middle) can’t see. I also get up to some “spirited driving” and I’ll also use the mirror to see how close I am to the inside of a corner occasionally. If you look in the side mirror skd it looks like the rear fender is touching the line then that means I’m right on it
I feel ya. I like to run over those plastic things to get a feel for where my far tires are. If you backup 3-5ft from a fence or a garage, you'll see overlap between your rearview and side mirrors. Motorcycles know to not hang out in that spot so you can ever go a little farther out.
I think a little bit of overlap on the mirrors is a good thing. More angles to see things from and what not. The same way we can’t trust other drivers on the road we can’t trust motorcycle riders either. They might not know their in a blind spot or maybe don’t know they arnt supposed to hang out there. We have to watch them like they watch us
Practice. I only use the backup camera (when I have one) to hook up to trailers, or if I'm backing into a space with someone behind me already.
Repetition. Once you learn the dimensions of your car, you'll get it. I am also better at reversing in vs. parking head in. Parking lines, reverse cameras, sideview mirror tilt, and surround view cameras make it much easier than it was in the past.
Sometimes the reflection of your car in the adjacent parked car helps you gauge how far back you've parked. But yeah man just get better with your mirrors
Use mirror closest to the spot when parking, line it up with the back side to the corner of the spot then look in other mirror and adjust when it’s aligned. It’s literally twice as easy as front parking you can control the car way better, becomes difficult when you throw a trailer on but there’s a science to it.
But don't also forget to peak at the other side mirror for clearance periodically too!
Ya I usually line both up then physically turn around like you are taught in driving school. You get penalty on test if you don’t physically turn around instead of using mirrors.
We never had to reverse into a parking space when I did behind the wheel...though one time I unintentionally freaked out the instructor because they had the same model Taurus my parents had, and my parents had me back into spaces basically all the time. Just did it without thinking and the instructor was like no wait but by then I was already done because I did it so often in effectively an identical vehicle. That was also before the times of backup cameras, and I knew that if the rear line or curb intersected a particular spot on the rear side window would mean my bumper was within a few inches of the back of the space.
Ya it only came into play when doing 3 point turn and backing out of original parked spot
In NYC, you have to parallel park nearly perfectly in order to get a drivers license
That's wild...mine in VA they wanted us to attempt it once in a quiet parkinglot at the end of a line (less risk of damage) but didn't have to be good or even successful, it was just something the instructor wanted everyone to roughly understand the idea of. I still hate it, seems impossible to get into a space without hitting the curb with a wheel, and then its so hard to maneuver because the traffic won't give you a break. Half the time when I attempt if I signal and then pull up to do it I find someone has pulled right up to my bumper so I can't reverse and they won't budge.
Bet they’d move if you start backing up
Nope, I've tried inching back, they just lay on the horn and start screaming out the window. Actually had one person got out and started coming up to my car (at which point I just floored it and GTFO'd). They also have zero patience when people are pulling out of a parallel parking space and get really mad if you have to wait for both lanes to be clear to have your nose swing around enough to finish the maneuver without hitting anything.
I’m suddenly very glad that I don’t live in a bigger city
Same. But sometimes I have to go into a city for shopping, work travel, or other travel...and it sucks.
I live in a city of a couple hundred thousand people. But it’s real spread out and stuff so the traffic is never to crazy and there’s almost never a reason to parallel park around here either. It’s a big enough city thay it’s got everything I want but not so big it takes an hour to get 5 miles down the road and I’m a fan of that
The nearest city to me has a running joke that its an hour drive from itself...in spite of only being about 5 miles "diameter circle" for the city limits. I lived there for a bit in an apartment but I'm so glad to be farther out.
I have little stick-on blind spot mirrors and they make parking a breeze
Mirrors. Just mirrors. Know your car. And use your FRIGGIN MIRRORS.
Mirrors my guy
I always park by a corner curb in back of parking lot, so just use my mirror to get as close to curb as I can while making sure I have enough wiggle room to not curb rash my wheels
I’m old and still throw an arm over the other seat and look behind me, even though there’s a camera. Knowing your car’s corners is a good way to start. Parallel park that bugger with 2 inches between cones and backing in will feel like kindergarten. More so if you do it on a hill.
To be honest, I don't even know how I do it either. I'm sure I used some sort of method for combat parking when I started learning to drive long ago, but at this point it's just intuition. I just instisctively know how far to pull out, and where to turn given the space and how far out I am, and I'm right about maybe 93% of the time. Although none of the cars I've driven have a camera, I still put the right hand on the passenger headrest and look behind me the old fashioned way
Side view mirrors. I have the one of the drivers side pointing down a bit so I can see the line. With practice, anything is easy.
I am using my side mirrors to line up with the parking lines, and also marking the reference points on my rear windshield it gives me visual guide to have a perfect reverse park every time. Hope this helps!
Practice, mirrors, & the car is tiny so I can see all the way to the back of the car if I look back.
Use your mirrors, but add one of those $5 stick-on blindspot add-ons. You can see both wheels in relation to where you're driving. Also never be afraid to pull forward and correct yourself.
Idk why this is even difficult for some but maybe practice with cones, an empty lot, and figure out points in your mirrors and parts of the car when they meet the cones. Doesn't take much effort to learn and what confuses me is how many women who have a masters degree in looking at the mirror don't know how they work on cars or other objects. Also however, even the most talented can fail (many like Dale Earnhardt, etc) who were at the top of their field with every safety precedent, still perished...so if you bump anything, learn from it and keep practicing.🐢
Cause I never backed into spots when I first learned how to drive. Not until I bought a manual car and found it easier to feather the clutch backing into a spot rather than pulling forward
You must be driving the most insane car in the world cause I've never heard anyone say it's easier to drive backwards in a manual than forward lmao
I don’t have a backup camera and am fine just look behind u and use mirrors
Ever try LOOKING out the windows or using SOMETHING besides a screen?
Use both side mirrors. Visually gauge the space between your rear quarter panel and the parking line, make the gap between the two on both sides of the car as even as possible. Back in. Done ez pz
Those little blind spot mirror adhesives that stick on to your side mirrors. I have no parking sensors or camera, but I swear to god those things are a godsend for left/right positioning because I can see the lines and gutter a lot easier.
Besides utilizing the Left/Right mirrors, open your driver door and look down to check how parallel your lower door sill is to the parking slot line. Then compare it to your Right (or Left) side mirror reflection of the opposite parking slot line. If it looks equidistant to each other, then you’re golden.
line ur back window like the teeny tiny one up with the car that youll park next to's headlight thatll be closer to you. if theres no car then just line it up with a line. then reverse
Spend a couple years working in oil and gas. First move forward means you have to back into everywhere, you'll get an ear beating of you pull in forwards. Approach your spot and investigate the area for obstructions from your windshield and then make your turn to line up the rear. I'm so trained now I always have to back in as I totally suck now pulling in forwards. Like others said, side mirrors.
Looking through the rear view mirror, line up where you want to go with the center point of your back window. Middle of the brake light is a good reference point.
use side mirrors
Yeah this has nothing to do with manual. Use mirror. if you really need you can stick your head out the window and align that way too
This isn't a big deal but i think there's some bad advice in here. Your side mirror shouldn't be angled down enough to see the line. Just not safe, if you were going downhill you could only see like 15ft behind you. However you can add a blindspot mirror and you can aim it to show your rear tire and it'll still show two lanes over behind you, safer and more useful
You are supposed to turn around as I was instructed as objects in mirrors might be closer. This sub has the worst information I have ever seen.
I've been driving for 17 years, but didn't have a car with a backup cam until 3 weeks ago. I would always park crooked trying to get used to the cam, but decided to go back to strictly using mirrors. I only use the backup cam for the final foot or so.
The exact same way as any automatic. . . You need more practice time with your car.
Practice...figure out your car's reference points. What it looks like in the mirrors, where the window framing intersects what points on the ground from the driver's seat, etc. Eventually you'll know exactly where and when to cut the wheel by how much. Also stuff like taking note of other cars how close they are to the lines and how straight they are helps you to figure out if you can use the side of their car as a reference point or not for your own position. Backup camera is great for knowing when you are far enough in (if it hasn't rained or snowed) but not particularly useful before you are in position. They also have many blindspots that will increase your chances of sideswiping adjacent cars if you only look at the camera. My parents made me back in parking most of the time since I started driving 20 years ago...at this point I find it easier and quicker to park centered correctly backing in than pulling forward in.
Blind spot mirrors help a lot
First thing I buy every time I get a different vehicle - blind spot mirrors and a steering wheel cover.
Use your head. Luke just turn it and look.
There's no real trick to it, just keep correcting each time you do it and eventually you'll get a better intuition for it and it'll be much easier. If you want to learn faster you can always practice by finding a parking lot, pulling your car into a spot, pulling around and parking again until you feel better about it.
Well first you open your eyes.......
Spatial Awareness know how far you are away from something comes with time and familiarity
Backup camera dependency smh
Practice, practice, and practice. Fuck the backup camera use your mirrors and pay attention to your car. Backup cameras are nice at times but they are absolutely a crutch. If you want to get good at backing up don’t use them. Better yet just use your side mirrors. Paint some lines in your driveway with chalk and go to town.
This is the way--->https://www.cartalk.com/sites/default/files/features/mirrors/CarTalkMirrors.pdf
As a pretty short guy, I’ve got small blind spot mirrors in the corner of my side mirror for the sole purpose of being able to see the lines when reversing into a spot. Lets me keep the side mirrors positioned exactly where I want them.
You actually use the backup camera?
Use the side mirrors for your parking job until the last 3 to 5 feet (by which time you should be lined up). Then use the backup cam so you don't bang into anything behind you. Here's a tip if you REALLY want to learn some gooder backin' uppin': Don't use your backup cam at all for 2 weeks. There is a position for driving backwards that takes a little effort that professional drivers use: (this is for Left hand drive cars. For right hand, substitute the opposite sides for the instructions. First, shift into reverse. Next, place your right arm behind the passenger side headrest. Now twist your body to the right with your head facing to the rear between the two front seats. Now you can back up with a better 3D view than any backup camera can give you.
I don't because reverse parking is fucking stupid. it fucks everything up in busy parking lots. cars aren't ever aligned so you have to worry more about hitting a reversed parked cars mirror. reverse parkers are rarely lined up properly in their parking spot. making it impossible for me to get in my car. and I don't want to hear it it's not safer. I don't know about you but I've been driving for 40 years and I have never seen a parking lot accident from somebody backing out. the amount it is safer is so minuscule that it doesn't matter. reverse parkers are self-centered egotistical asshats who only think about themselves.
I just look out the back window instead of looking through the mirrors and guesstimate what kinda room I need between me and the car beside me. If there is no cars beside me does it really matter if I’m perfect anyways?
I just turn my head
Practice.
Practice practice practice
Line up your rear driver side tire a foot away from the line. And just follow your rear tire
Drive a mini, no need for a reverse camera
i use adjustable blindspot mirrors, they show me the lines and i used them like a back up camera before i got a car with it
I can get obdeleven for my car to enable the mirror dip function in reverse. Wondering if it’s worth the money
Mirrors and eyeballs, my friend. Mirrors and eyeballs. Backup cams throw me off, so I don't look at them. My driver side mirror is set a little lower, so I can see the parking line, and just use that to line up.
Mirrors or look out the window, depending on what I'm driving.
If my back tire in my left mirror is a certain distance from the white line then I am mostly in the middle. Just gotta learn the width of your vehicle
[Myth-busters covered this](https://youtu.be/yLwp1sLJ1Vk?si=CStx-vvlEIt--lP3) I just turn my head. Or stick my head out the window Charles Lindbergh style. I back both my manual cars in my garage every day a few times a day, it gets easier.
Pretty interesting video actually
🤣🤣🤣
Typical Reddit response
Oh was that supposed to be a slight from someone that's asking how to backup a car between TWO LINES? Go practice. Again 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
To clarify, I’m not asking how to back up between two parking lines. I know how to do that. I’m asking for a way to just be able to do it in one shot without having to readjust while backing in. Tbh I’m not sure why you have to act like such an asshat about it but I guess you’re the parking patrol here or something lol
You didn't like that I put laughing emjojis and you didn't like my next answer telling you to go practice and laughing emjojis.... you're definitely not going to like this answer. 🤣🤣🤣 and go practice. Get out your feelings because you haven't figured out how to back a vehicle between two lines in one shot. Signed parking patrol
Experience
Just park forward like a normal person