Reverse Parking - moneysaving? even for me?

Tigsteroonie

I have read somewhere recently that reversing into a parking space, and then driving away forwards, is “better” for your car because you are reversing when the engine is warm and pulling away forwards when the engine is cold.

How much better? Is this just an engine-wear thing, or does it actually save fuel (and therefore money)? How much?

So, I’m a numptie woman driver <grin>. I prefer to park forwards in a space, and then reverse out. My theory is that the parking space is narrower than the roadway; I park forwards into the tight space, and reverse (a trickier manoeuvre) out into the wider road. This makes sense to me.

Being unpractised at reverse parking, when I reverse it can sometimes take me 2 or 3 goes to get the angle correct. So is any potential engine wear or fuel saving from reverse parking then negated by my repeated attempts?

tiamai_d

I have never heard of that!

Personally, I will stick to easy driving into spaces as I can reverse out much better than I can reverse in.

Only time I reverse park is into Parent and child or disabled spaces as they are wider.

I never reverse into spaces at the supermarket or when I am shopping as then I can't get into the boot.

OH can be quite nasty about it sometimes, but I'd rather wait to reverse out than damage my car, or anyone else of course... though my car is more important! :rotfl:

anewman

Maybe I'm a crap driver, but I usually find reversing in easier than forward parking, between two cars, unless I can go through one space into the next.

scbk

I prefer reversing in as it's safer, if you park pointing in it's all too easy to revsere out into the path of an oncoming vehicle

tiamai_d

I drive an estate...

I do reverse park into spaces along a road, where cars are bumper to bumper... But parking spaces, side to side, I find it a lot easier to drive in. I think I would use a lot more fuel and take a lot more time and I know I get a lot more frustrated trying to reverse into side by side spaces. I'd rather do it this way.
I am interested to see if it does actually save money though!

Tigsteroonie

I've found where I read it - it's one of the Inst Advanced Motorists' tips:

"Reverse in when you park. When you start off again, the engine will be cold and at its most fuel inefficient. If you can drive smoothly away without having to reverse when the engine is cold, not only will you save fuel you will also have better visibility."

I can understand better visibility when, say, exiting onto a road (particularly a busy one) but what about a simple car park situation? I'd say that I need the better visibility when pulling into the space, to make sure that I haven't scraped anybody and that I can get the doors open! :rotfl:I also agree with the poster who said that they want easy access to the boot of the car.

So, anybody feel that it will save me fuel to improve my reverse parking?

Bob63

There is also a personal security reason for reversing into a parking space. In the USA this is known as "combat parking" as you can make a quick getaway if you are faced by any sort of threat. Given the sort of chav/druggie scum that frequent car parks I think this is a good idea.

b.t.w. If you think that's a sweeping generalisation then please come to Bristol city centre and I'll prove I am right!

Mike

tiamai_d

So... can we assume that we should try to reverse park when able to do so and make a point of it when in 'dodgy' areas?

At all other times however suits us best to our ability and plans for the day? :rotfl:

Tigsteroonie

From an MSE viewpoint, I was just interested in whether it did actually save fuel and how much? I only park twice a day (home - v. rural & work - small carpark), occasionally a 3rd time (supermarket early morning).

hewhoisnotintheknow

the difference will be so tiny you would save pence in a year

Your driving style can save you upto 40% depending on how bad a driver you currently are and how much you improve

gilbert_and_sullivan

I would say the fuel savings are not even calculable, but if you reverse into space, its almost impossible to be blocked in.

Whereas if you drive in, and get close parkers beside you, you have no swing movement to get your car out.

The only downside to reverse parking is trying to get a supermarket trolley near to the boot.

Best way to learn it is to use a very quiet car park, and practise reverse manoeuvers using mirrors only until you get it right.
(borrow a few cones, and set them up to simulate cars around you, you'll be surprised how quickly it comes together).

Very good point about the security issue that poster.