Parking
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Keep a following distance that allows you to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you.
This provides enough room to change lanes if needed, avoids exhaust fumes, reduces the chance of hitting the car ahead if rear-ended, and allows you to go around if the car in front breaks down without backing up.
- Some drivers may perceive this spacing as too large.
3 people, independently
Leave enough space at stop lights to drive around the car in front if it breaks down or to escape a potential carjacking situation.
It allows you to go around a broken-down car without backing up and provides an escape route in carjacking scenarios.
- Leaving this much space may be impossible in cities with jam-packed road space.
2 people, independently
Place a physical object like a 2x4 board on the garage floor to feel when you have backed up far enough.
It helps prevent backing up too far into obstacles.
one person who lived it
Stop and give extra room to vehicles with reverse lights on in a parking lot.
They likely cannot see you.
one person who lived it
Turn on your headlights when parking close to an object in front of you to gauge distance by the size of the light circle projected.
It helps gauge distance, especially in tight places or with unfamiliar cars where you cannot see down the bonnet.
- Only an estimating gauge; beware of towbars etc.
one person who lived it
Shift into neutral and hold the brake while preparing to leave a spot.
Brake lights signal that you are about to move but are not yet in reverse, allowing for a smoother shift.
one person who lived it
When adjusting forward or backward in the spot, cut the wheel and then straighten it out each time to avoid retracing tracks.
If you don't do both, you literally just retrace your own tracks.
one person who lived it
Adjust your rearview mirror height so you only see a very small amount of sky.
It makes parking much easier.
one person who lived it
Check your mirrors or look over your shoulder before opening your car door.
2 people, independently
4 more on this
Back into the garage instead of pulling in forward to make straightening easier.
One person found it easier to straighten the car when backing in.
one person who lived it
Back into parking spots to improve sight lines and awareness when leaving.
Driving forward provides clear sight lines upon exit, and backing in offers better control of surroundings during initial parking.
- This approach is difficult in slanted spaces in parking garages.
- It may prevent opening the rear of the vehicle if the car behind parks too closely.
one person who lived it
Ask passengers to stop talking while you are maneuvering the vehicle.
Conversation takes away part of your attention from driving tasks.
one person who lived it
Get out of your vehicle to inspect distances and angles in difficult parking spots.
There is no shame in verifying a tricky spot; experienced drivers do this to ensure accuracy.
one person who lived it