GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: Car Talk > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Do you insist on backing into parking spaces?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Alexi7 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:535 Points:13,930 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2011 7:33:39 AM Ignore Alexi7 Report Abuse Yes, I work with people who think nothing of holding up traffic just so they don't have to back out at the end of the day. I'll do a "pull-through" if the opportunity is there. Backing into a slot is a waste of time.

Alexi7

All-Star Author
Ohio

Posts:535
Points:13,930
Joined:Jul 2011

Message Posted: Aug 31, 2011 7:33:39 AM

Ignore Alexi7 Report Abuse

Yes, I work with people who think nothing of holding up traffic just so they don't have to back out at the end of the day. I'll do a "pull-through" if the opportunity is there. Backing into a slot is a waste of time.

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 9:14:44 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse From my previous post > There are times when I have seen shopping carts scattered here/there around the lots. On windy days one must watch carful that a cart doesn blow in behind your vehicle as you back into the spot. That reason counts for the other 3% to not reverse park,damage to the vehicle. myop...
Coco0828 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,011 Points:164,765 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 7:58:19 PM Ignore Coco0828 Report Abuse no
dandeeman Champion Author Georgia Posts:4,244 Points:1,947,335 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 5:22:54 PM Ignore dandeeman Report Abuse NOPE
5p33df73ak Sophomore Author Gary Posts:235 Points:54,110 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 10:20:06 AM Ignore 5p33df73ak Report Abuse yes but I try to find a more convent way of doing it. If there is a complete 2 parking spaces open then I just pull up. If i have to back up i rather back if there are no cars around me.
fkkf92 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,923 Points:2,588,440 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 9:45:40 AM Ignore fkkf92 Report Abuse yes
FarmTech Champion Author Virginia Posts:12,171 Points:2,296,860 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 9:32:47 AM Ignore FarmTech Report Abuse I do NOT "insist". If there is a way for me to safely back in without blocking any traffic, I will do so. Generally, as a rule, I look for spots where I can drive through from one side to the other space. That way, one does not have to use reverse at all.
CollegeMan21 All-Star Author Colorado Posts:838 Points:457,160 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 10:36:18 PM Ignore CollegeMan21 Report Abuse I will back into a parking spot, only if I can.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 8:34:53 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse I always thought it was a bit senceless to be in such a hurry to speed through parking lot aisles keeping other motorists from backing out at a safe oppertunity with obscured views,seems very deliberate,very much inconsiderate,selfish,dangerous to others on foot or impared. gvan; got it right 97% in my book anyway.....Little children often don't look and are in a hurry also but they don't drive...
bearscharger Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,337 Points:272,575 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 8:09:47 PM Ignore bearscharger Report Abuse No
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,548 Points:2,838,240 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 6:48:40 PM Ignore gvan Report Abuse The main reason for backing into a parking space is that you are backing away from traffic and avoiding having to back into traffic when you leave. A secondary reason is that if you see a suspicious person near your car when you return, you can leave the parking spot without stopping, which you have to do if you are backing out of your parking space. As previously mentioned, visibility is better when driving forward out of a parking space. Of course, avoiding backing is the best situation if that is possible i.e. a drive thru parking spot.
gascomber Veteran Author Durham Posts:269 Points:53,955 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 1:00:47 PM Ignore gascomber Report Abuse It depends on the situation.
blitzburgh58 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,410 Points:592,125 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 12:53:11 PM Ignore blitzburgh58 Report Abuse Still yes. Still glad it ruffles Alexi's feathers.
JoeKing Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,863 Points:1,936,965 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2013 5:08:35 PM Ignore JoeKing Report Abuse I prefer to back in but don't really insist on it.
STEVE853 Champion Author Florida Posts:5,691 Points:1,120,510 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2013 4:41:42 PM Ignore STEVE853 Report Abuse Yes
FarmTech Champion Author Virginia Posts:12,171 Points:2,296,860 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2013 4:29:34 PM Ignore FarmTech Report Abuse I can second the Opinion and Post by gvan. I was taught in Driver's Ed -- and I was told by current Instructors that it is still taught to this day -- that under the following conditions: 1) You did not impede other drivers in the parking lot; AND 2) It was safe to do so; AND 3) You could perform the maneuver in an expedient manner; then you should always BACK INTO a Parking Space. The primary reason cited was that it was MUCH SAFER to exit a Parking Space by driving forward, where the driver had greater fields of vision and could see oncoming traffic. California has too many laws and some are pure non-sense. Glad I do not live there.
LuckyD43 Champion Author Long Island Posts:32,050 Points:2,170,020 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2013 3:29:21 PM Ignore LuckyD43 Report Abuse Usually
d_clark All-Star Author Grand Rapids Posts:925 Points:382,390 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 7:01:16 PM Ignore d_clark Report Abuse no
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,548 Points:2,838,240 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 6:40:17 PM Ignore gvan Report Abuse "In California, some cities have made it illegal to back in to parking spaces. citing safety." This is extremeely funny. Most driver trainers will tell you to back into parking spaces since it is safer.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,548 Points:2,838,240 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 6:35:39 PM Ignore gvan Report Abuse You back in or you back out....why is one quicker than the other?
BartandLisa Champion Author Newfoundland Posts:2,155 Points:421,350 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 6:08:26 PM Ignore BartandLisa Report Abuse Yes
STEVE853 Champion Author Florida Posts:5,691 Points:1,120,510 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 4:39:18 PM Ignore STEVE853 Report Abuse Yes
SemiSteve Champion Author Tampa Posts:14,458 Points:253,830 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 4:24:38 PM Ignore SemiSteve Report Abuse Rarely. I prefer to pull-thru. I like to park out near the highway; so pulling through is easier there. It saves gas. We're all here at GB to save on gas. I'm a hyper-miler; so I have made gas-saving an art form. When you park out by the highway you don't drive as far as parking up close to the building. (Cha-ching!) And: no time wasted looking for a spot. (Cha-ching!) Backing up, whether before or after parking is a waste of gas. I select my parking spot as soon as I can see it. When I know I have enough momentum I turn the engine off and coast into my spot. Easy to do in the empty part of the lot. (Cha-ching!) More gas saved. Walking across the parking lot to the building is good exercise. Another bonus. Fitness can come in little things; habit adjustments. Also, when I get ready to go I can check out the highway to see if it is clear before starting the engine. No need to start it up and then wait for traffic. (Cha-ching!) When it is clear I put the shifter in neutral and keep one hand on it and the other on the key. As soon as the engine fires I click it into gear and begin rolling. (Cha-ching!) All part of my arsenal of gas-saving tricks. My car is rated 21/31 mpg. I usually get around 29/35. (Cha-ching!) Best I ever got was 42 hwy. (pre-ethanol) So nice to have little habits that save me gas and money. Adds up. So nice to have everything paid for and no payments. The only thing I pay interest on is the mortgage. Take that, you greedy big corporations. 99% back atcha.
ccode Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,080 Points:1,177,220 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 4:18:59 PM Ignore ccode Report Abuse Often Times I will back in when parking if it is convenient. I agree with Davisadm that it does not waste time overall.
toms1120 Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,587 Points:1,813,845 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 4:06:51 PM Ignore toms1120 Report Abuse No
xtremecheap All-Star Author Arkansas Posts:986 Points:373,100 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 2:20:35 PM Ignore xtremecheap Report Abuse I try to if applicable. I like backing into a spot where Ive just seen what was there. As opposed to backing out after getting back into the vehicle and not know what may have just entered while I was not looking.
davisadm All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:577 Points:412,325 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 12:17:59 PM Ignore davisadm Report Abuse I like to back in, especially in tight spots, as it is easier to maneuver in. As to wasting time, no, it doesn't. Yes, backing into a spot takes longer and may block others for a second (heaven forbid that someone has to wait a second), BUT, you make that up as you leave.
bearscharger Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,337 Points:272,575 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 4:07:02 PM Ignore bearscharger Report Abuse no
Moe86 Champion Author Ontario Posts:12,320 Points:1,301,925 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 2:12:58 PM Ignore Moe86 Report Abuse No.
Coco0828 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,011 Points:164,765 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:00:09 AM Ignore Coco0828 Report Abuse I don't but my husband does.
pacecar68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,666 Points:868,070 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:40:38 AM Ignore pacecar68 Report Abuse yes, for the most part.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:09:02 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse I do a pull-thru when possible,but choose to back-in at idle speed. The reason is I have witnessed other drivers backing out of parking lot spaces then hammering down the go-pedel to alley speeds when leaving the aisles of the lot. While I was parked these > at least 7 were zooming past the other still parked vehicles only with two feet of clearance,cel-phones glued to their ear,lost in conversation,12-15 mph.at least,leaving premises.So... I do...
Hanski All-Star Author Modesto Posts:524 Points:189,785 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 9:17:03 AM Ignore Hanski Report Abuse yes
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,254 Points:1,039,470 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 9:09:17 AM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse No
retcap201 Champion Author Austin Posts:5,838 Points:1,325,080 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 8:55:11 AM Ignore retcap201 Report Abuse no
jonjon57 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:2,452 Points:635,885 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 8:46:57 AM Ignore jonjon57 Report Abuse No
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,913 Points:2,057,655 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 8:32:11 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Always park where I won't be dinged
noblegiant Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,080 Points:945,020 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 8:28:50 AM Ignore noblegiant Report Abuse Most Times
sweeteddy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,639 Points:1,705,495 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 8:00:06 AM Ignore sweeteddy Report Abuse no
MaryBooth Sophomore Author Buffalo Posts:172 Points:97,550 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 7:57:50 AM Ignore MaryBooth Report Abuse sometimes
russells350 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,891 Points:607,270 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 7:55:12 AM Ignore russells350 Report Abuse no
wizzo Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,490 Points:624,920 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 12:14:13 AM Ignore wizzo Report Abuse no
BartandLisa Champion Author Newfoundland Posts:2,155 Points:421,350 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 11:54:16 AM Ignore BartandLisa Report Abuse Yes, whenever possible
russells350 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,891 Points:607,270 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 7:28:06 AM Ignore russells350 Report Abuse yes
wizzo Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,490 Points:624,920 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 7:18:53 AM Ignore wizzo Report Abuse no
mnrick041 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,316 Points:1,371,010 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 6:12:50 AM Ignore mnrick041 Report Abuse At home I usually back in but in parking lots I usually park in a deserted area of the lot. I do not mind the walk and it keeps people from banging car doors and shopping carts into my car.
Tuffy3360 Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,965 Points:470,885 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 4:31:37 AM Ignore Tuffy3360 Report Abuse no
Bluebird333 All-Star Author Wisconsin Posts:634 Points:52,300 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 4:16:08 AM Ignore Bluebird333 Report Abuse In a parking lot I park way in the back so no one ever parks next to me.
Nicanite Champion Author Flint Posts:4,935 Points:989,920 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:55:16 AM Ignore Nicanite Report Abuse no
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,332 Points:2,508,060 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:46:45 AM Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse I don't typically back into a parking spot. But when in a parking lot with two spots in line, I'll drive through so I can drive straight out.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,570 Points:1,546,325 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Oct 11, 2012 7:55:29 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse No, But it does make for a quicker exit from work if I need to get somewhere quickly after work.