Adjusting to bigger cars, advise needed
Discussion
popeyewhite said:
Chester draws said:
Yep, reverse into spaces where possible, use the mirrors more, and if you're maneuvering and you're not sure how much space before you hit that bollard or low wall, get out and check!
Why always reverse a big car into to a space? In a car whose dimensions you're not confident about surely it makes more sense to reverse out where you have more room?You lot with your parking sensors are soft!
Visibility is the big key. As mentioned a vehicle with good visibility is a doddle to park irrespective of size. I use an E-Class W210 estate as a daily at the moment (its possibly got the largest load space of any estate car) and its an absolute doddle to park as you can easily see the corners. On the other hand my Smart Roadster Coupe is an absolute swine to see the rear corners on. I'd rather park the E-Class than the Smart any day.
Our 500SL is easy to park with the roof down, hardtop on not quite so easy and canvas roof up can be a pig. All because of the differences in the visibility of the rear corners.
Visibility is the big key. As mentioned a vehicle with good visibility is a doddle to park irrespective of size. I use an E-Class W210 estate as a daily at the moment (its possibly got the largest load space of any estate car) and its an absolute doddle to park as you can easily see the corners. On the other hand my Smart Roadster Coupe is an absolute swine to see the rear corners on. I'd rather park the E-Class than the Smart any day.
Our 500SL is easy to park with the roof down, hardtop on not quite so easy and canvas roof up can be a pig. All because of the differences in the visibility of the rear corners.
Chester draws said:
For me, means you can use the mirrors (tipped down slightly) to see fully along each side of the car as well as the lines marking the space. Avoiding the "where exactly is the front corner" issue.
Also simply driving out of a space safer and easier as you have better visibility.
Coming out forwards, I usually get out in one, if reversing out and cars either side are parked close, need to go a fair way back (straight) before can start turning. In a crowded supermarket with other cars emerging from spaces or overhanging their space, not to mention shoppers with trollies I find reverse in, drive out easiest.
Thanks for the explanation, though I'm not convinced. Always use the boot though. Have to agree it's a nuisance running over small children and old ladies reversing the Discovery out. Also simply driving out of a space safer and easier as you have better visibility.
Coming out forwards, I usually get out in one, if reversing out and cars either side are parked close, need to go a fair way back (straight) before can start turning. In a crowded supermarket with other cars emerging from spaces or overhanging their space, not to mention shoppers with trollies I find reverse in, drive out easiest.
Jonno02 said:
The biggest thing, and don't bash me for this, is absolutely make sure your mirrors are adjusted correctly.
^^^ This 100%^^^I find it virtually impossible to parallel park my car if the N/S mirror is only fractionally wrong, my car doesn't have memory or reverse dropping mirrors.
Wouldn't the Lexus have a reverseing camera as standard? The lines on screen may look complicated at first, but a car I drive sometimes has it & it's brilliant!!
You'll get over it in a week.
When I moved from my tiny first car to a vectra, it took a week or so of failed attempts to park in spaces that in hindsight were smaller than my car, and then I started judging the "will it fit" question much better.
Don't try to put anything anywhere you think is too tight - good life lesson there.
When I moved from my tiny first car to a vectra, it took a week or so of failed attempts to park in spaces that in hindsight were smaller than my car, and then I started judging the "will it fit" question much better.
Don't try to put anything anywhere you think is too tight - good life lesson there.
As well as ensuring your mirrors are properly adjusted, adapt your driving position. If you get out of a small car into a big 4x4 or van, the temptation may be to try to adopt your usual low, reclined 'sporty' seating position- whereas if the vehicle has a high window line or the 'A' / 'B' pillars are getting in the way you may need to sit higher in the car and more upright.
Learn2MergeInTurn said:
Probably going to get stick for this but make sure it has parking sensors?
We have a e39 and I'm not sure if I would manage as well as I do without the parking sensors.
Just being honest
It's not strictly the size of the car it is the visibility out of the back/side windows in particular that matter.We have a e39 and I'm not sure if I would manage as well as I do without the parking sensors.
Just being honest
I also have a E39 and mine has no parking sensors but has tinted rear and side windows yet I've not had any real difficulties reverse/parallel parking. If anything it's the front which can be a bit harder to judge.
On other cars like Coupes with a long sloping back end and very small side windows it can be much harder to perform some parking maneuvers.
Hahaha I have this exact problem one 640D Gran Coupe to MX5 and vice versa.
Parking sensors and cameras make it fairly easy, unfortunately certain park and rides local to us have seen victim to kerbing 3 of my 4 20's equally my 640 only just fits through with mirrors folded in they have huge high kerbs and width restriction bars and posts in place...madness.
Parking sensors and cameras make it fairly easy, unfortunately certain park and rides local to us have seen victim to kerbing 3 of my 4 20's equally my 640 only just fits through with mirrors folded in they have huge high kerbs and width restriction bars and posts in place...madness.
Ninja59 said:
Hahaha I have this exact problem one 640D Gran Coupe to MX5 and vice versa.
Parking sensors and cameras make it fairly easy, unfortunately certain park and rides local to us have seen victim to kerbing 3 of my 4 20's equally my 640 only just fits through with mirrors folded in they have huge high kerbs and width restriction bars and posts in place...madness.
This is my exact concern, tight car parks have presented challenges in smaller cars, usually where your going up a steep ramp and have to turn at the top and u can't see where your going, or you have to squeeze around big tight pillars. I've always wondered how people with barges cope.Parking sensors and cameras make it fairly easy, unfortunately certain park and rides local to us have seen victim to kerbing 3 of my 4 20's equally my 640 only just fits through with mirrors folded in they have huge high kerbs and width restriction bars and posts in place...madness.
benjijames28 said:
Ninja59 said:
Hahaha I have this exact problem one 640D Gran Coupe to MX5 and vice versa.
Parking sensors and cameras make it fairly easy, unfortunately certain park and rides local to us have seen victim to kerbing 3 of my 4 20's equally my 640 only just fits through with mirrors folded in they have huge high kerbs and width restriction bars and posts in place...madness.
This is my exact concern, tight car parks have presented challenges in smaller cars, usually where your going up a steep ramp and have to turn at the top and u can't see where your going, or you have to squeeze around big tight pillars. I've always wondered how people with barges cope.Parking sensors and cameras make it fairly easy, unfortunately certain park and rides local to us have seen victim to kerbing 3 of my 4 20's equally my 640 only just fits through with mirrors folded in they have huge high kerbs and width restriction bars and posts in place...madness.
benjijames28 said:
I've always wondered how people with barges cope.
You have a man do it for you! This is PH FFS!Although, this can be the risk (1:30 onwards):
https://youtu.be/ojob6IE4JQ4
Never tire of laughing at that!
I have an RS6 and still celebrate every time i make it through a width restrictor!
I tend to sit reasonably far back as i'm on the motorway most of the time. As i'm not that tall, it's a little difficult placing it. I also have to remind myself of the sheer length of the thing (it doesn't fit in a standard space), you have to turn a little later than usual to make it round a tight corner - two experienced drivers who have driven it have both driven up the kerb!
As has been said though, you'll get used to it within a few drives. It's more problematic if you're jumping from car to car.
If you're worried about the wheels, get some 'alloy gators' fitted (they're rim protectors).
I tend to sit reasonably far back as i'm on the motorway most of the time. As i'm not that tall, it's a little difficult placing it. I also have to remind myself of the sheer length of the thing (it doesn't fit in a standard space), you have to turn a little later than usual to make it round a tight corner - two experienced drivers who have driven it have both driven up the kerb!
As has been said though, you'll get used to it within a few drives. It's more problematic if you're jumping from car to car.
If you're worried about the wheels, get some 'alloy gators' fitted (they're rim protectors).
nothing to be ashamed of in recognising where you could improve...
pick up the phone to a local driving instructor and buy a lesson or two to focus entirely on this - it is all about spatial awareness and practice - not everyone has the spatial awareness naturally - anyone can do the practice
pick up the phone to a local driving instructor and buy a lesson or two to focus entirely on this - it is all about spatial awareness and practice - not everyone has the spatial awareness naturally - anyone can do the practice
and its size was made worse by the low driving position, which to my mind doesn't suit the type of car, making a big car require even more space because you, or at least I, could had difficulty knowing where its extremities were. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff