How do you park?

DCFC79

I always reverse into a space (car parks I do), I find it its easier/safer as I have a better view if anything is coming from either direction (easier to ) eg another car driving past or someone walking behind me as I'm reversing.

Doing a parallel park is my worst nightmare (I go for the end spot If need be) as I take 2 or 3 goes to get it right.

audigex

Depends on my mood

Where possible I'll drive in forward and straight across to the second space... best of both worlds.

I tend to just drive in forwards though as I find it faster overall. It depends to some extent on the car park though and whether anyone is waiting behind me - I'm more likely to reverse in if nobody else is there

londonTiger

reverse in for a small shop. Drive in for a big shop for obvious reasons.

Robisere

Reverse in wherever I go. Must admit I'm lucky (?! to be disabled and have the badge that allows me to park in a larger bay, but I have always done that. I was also fortunate to have been taught to drive in Army service and have driven everything from a Land Rover and Staff Cars, to tracked vehicles and a massive Aircraft Recovery Artic.

That gave me the confidence to set up and use all mirrors on any vehicle I drive. On modern cars, it is so easy to use my door mirrors, especially if they are able to be controlled and 'dipped' so that I can line up with the painted lines. I recommend everyone to learn that, it is so useful. The Parking Sensor on my C-Max is brilliant, I can judge exactly how close I am to whatever is behind me and leave enough space to get to the boot.

Strider590

SpekySquarehead wrote: »

What gets me is those who drive tediously slow around the entrance in search for the closest spot, when they could just park further away.

And don't get me started on those who park in disabled spots without a badge.

To answer the original question, I will always, always reverse in and drive out. Much simpler imo.

Yes, let's please not turn this into another anti-BMW thread..... :rotfl:

sue.b_2

Reverse in; drive out. The view is better in both directions. If there is straight through space I go in forwards. At supermarkets I try to get a space by a footway so I can load the boot from it and am always surprised by people who still go in forwards and then have to leave the walkway for the more dangerous carriageway.

Gloomendoom

londonTiger wrote: »

reverse in for a small shop. Drive in for a big shop for obvious reasons.

It's not obvious to me. :huh:

What does the size of the shop have to do with it.

boliston

I only reverse into a space if I cannot drive in front ways easily - i normally cycle to work (hardy ever drive) but on the few occasions i have driven in i have noticed everyone else had reversed into their spaces. Reversing in seems like a "faff" to me - how many people really have accidents reversing out? Driving along a motorway is probably more risky.

NBLondon

Gloomendoom wrote: »

It's not obvious to me. :huh:

What does the size of the shop have to do with it.

I presume Tiger means the amount of shopping to be loaded into the vehicle rather than the size of the establishment... see https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5416399 for more annoying uses of language.

molerat

I usually try to find a double space and drive right through. Save the risk of running over the idiots who try to walk through the smallest gap whilst a car is reversing in or out. I also park as far away from the store entrance as I can, the lazy fat ones (who also seem to be the ones that cannot park properly) don't want to park there. Yesterday I found a massive wide space next to a path. I parked right up against the kerb leaving almost enough space to park a car in between me and the white line. I came back to find some old git parked diagonally across his space with the back end in mine. His door, all battered down the edge, was flung wide open almost touching my car. I dread to think what would have happened if I had parked more centrally in the space. :mad: