How 2 Reverse When Space is Limited

[Pidgeonpost]

Originally Posted by DaveNP

The other good bit SnineT has cottoned on to is using the exterior mirrors, another habit I picked up from truck driving, as it gives you a view down the side of the vehicle and allows you to see what clearance you have and where it's aimed at, obviously in a truck there's no rear windows to look out of but in many modern cars the view out of the rear and side windows is close to worthless for use when reversing too.

Good tip about the mirrors. I learned to do it when driving a Tranny flatbed to help out a friend. Soooo useful. I've tried to persuade my wife to use it, but to no avail.

[ITSv40]

My wife!s father used to drive gritter lorries and he taught her to reverse using the mirrors when she first started driving. Once taught it becomes second nature.

[SnineT]

I have one other note to make, as my garage is limited to a standard door and I end up having to / it in slightly then once the front is in swing it back _ I-I_ effectively which leaves the car sort of a couple of inches behind one upright of the door I then have to allow for that coming out which has to be precise so I don't end up hitting the other upright on the other side, if I don't do this getting out is no longer an option as I'm no racing snake anymore

I also find I have to in addition to the mirrors lean out a bit to watch my wing doesn't scrape the upright going in, it's easily done and the Insignia got one when I first got her resulting in a small crease near where the wing arch met the bumper, I got away with it twice where I had no crease and the paint buffed back up, it took me a while to realise I was smooching it on the way in not on the way out,

It's funny as we age, 20 years ago I could throw an Omega in there automatically, I actually used to call it my garageyard challenge where I'd see how quick and in one go I could park in, almost like Trucks & Trailers on the PC (great game btw) as times gone by the cars appear wider and I have to take more care, I was lent an Ibiza a few weeks ago and I struggled with that mainly as it wasn't my car and it had a £500 excess hanging over it, it was actually harder to park than the S90 is, mirrors aren't what they used to be and the blind spot factor where they put a curve in the glass plays havoc with real positioning imo hence the tip to pull the glass inwards when backing up as it negates the effect, hth.

[alcashj94]

I've got an old mattress against the end wall of my garage, if I squeeze up against that I know the up and over door will come down without hitting the car, no guesswork required!
Doesn't help with opening the car door to get out though!

[SnineT]

A sleeper system eh