Parking Etiquette part 2

[Range]

I made a comment about backing in to a parking stall, as I quickly learned when driving a service van, it is easier to back in than out. I have since "graduated" to a service truck, full sized 4x4 with an extended cab with a utility cap. You know the type...no windows on the back. I have a great awareness for my vehicle and its size. I can parallel park that sucker in a spot smaller vehicles have avoided. (yeah, back-up camera is amazing, but that died after about a year and a half). Ok, before I annoy you with my tales of awesomeness, I must admit, when I am in the Vette, I SUCK. The long nose, the low seating position, the manual transmission, the small mirrors. It all adds up to me looking like a douche, trying to find a spot easier to park in. I know that it will become easier with time, heck, I have only had her out a few times, but I wanted to share my shame with you......Wow, feels good to get it off my chest:seeya:

 

[FordPrefect]

It's even more exciting when you have zero depth perception. Most of my fixed income now goes to:

A) Manny

and

B) Spotters throughout the GTA who can be at any parking spot within minutes to help guide me in. I also prefer the "back in drive out" parking method. It's easier on the car to gently bump a pedestrian on the sidewalk instead of a passing car.

Also with the 'vette, unlike my Altima, they always smile and say "that's OK I hope your car is fine".

 

[Riley P]

Backing in is great. I try to do this with all my vehicles. As stated, it's easier to drive out than back out. I also find it easier making sure I am squarely between the lines when I back in.

 

[buckhorn76]

I made a comment about backing in to a parking stall, as I quickly learned when driving a service van, it is easier to back in than out. I have since "graduated" to a service truck, full sized 4x4 with an extended cab with a utility cap. You know the type...no windows on the back. I have a great awareness for my vehicle and its size. I can parallel park that sucker in a spot smaller vehicles have avoided. (yeah, back-up camera is amazing, but that died after about a year and a half). Ok, before I annoy you with my tales of awesomeness, I must admit, when I am in the Vette, I SUCK. The long nose, the low seating position, the manual transmission, the small mirrors. It all adds up to me looking like a douche, trying to find a spot easier to park in. I know that it will become easier with time, heck, I have only had her out a few times, but I wanted to share my shame with you......Wow, feels good to get it off my chest:seeya:

i know exactly what you are talkin' about range. i've got a double cab 8 foot box tundra that i can thread a needle with or put a trailer anywhere you please. however in my shark i don't have clue one where the front or the back of the car is !!! my fixed income means that most of my income goes to fixin' stuff !!!

 

[Keith Tedford]

Having grown up on a farm, backing things into places became second nature by the time I was ten. If you think backing a car into a space is a challenge, try backing a four wheel wagon into a barn. Try backing up a baler with a wagon attached to it to hook up to a second wagon. Now, there is a near impossible challenge even with wagons with the extending tongues.
Fixing the fender flare reminds me of the time I put fat new tires, on wider rims, on my '68 Firebird and didn't go more than ten miles before running over a nail near the outside edge of the tread. Had I been running the factory size tires, I would have missed the nail. I was thinking of wide body fenders and the bigger Z06 wheels and tires. Perhaps I should stay with what I have. I don't like learning the same lesson twice.

 

[Shayne]

now, if you all had convertibles, you could put the top down and see almost perfectly!

 

[Polar Jet]

I always back in parking spots myself. Having the backup camera in the Vette is a blessing with the 15% tint on the windows. Wish I had one in my Grand Prix GXP too.
Thinking of installing a Curb Alert on the Vette since it's lowered too.

 

[Keith Tedford]

With not much car behind the driver seat, I find myself parked and still having 4-5 feet to the curb. The chin of our car has rash where previous owners have parked by feel, rubbing up onto curbs. The back up camera sounds like a good idea.

 

[Laticsfan]

We used to call that parking by Braille. Used only in tight spaces or when you are not quite sure how big your car is.

 

[Keith Tedford]

I've seen cars with dents on all sides, front and back. I'm not sure if they use the "braille" method or the more aggressive "park by clunk" method. Oops, I can't go any farther that way. With our car, I would say braille was used.

 

[Laticsfan]

"Park by clunk"....I like that one too.