8 Tips to Teach You How to Reverse Park

If you have seen the Seinfeld episode, “The Parking Space,” then you are either in the camp of George Costanza or Mike Moffit. You either back in your vehicle into a parking spot or put it in headfirst. It all depends on room, geometry, and if it is inbred into you, like George Costanza.

It would be nice if we all could make a living just reverse parking. Wait, you don’t reverse park? Well, you’re missing out on savings, time, and efficiency. It turns out that we are parking all wrong. It might seem like common sense to park in a spot by going forward as opposed to backward, but this is wrong. You are better off reverse parking than any other way.

So, the next time you find a spot and you think about parking, be sure to consider the reverse. Here are nine tips to teach you how to reverse park:

1. Safe Reverse Parking

It might seem more like a headache and perhaps even unsafe to reverse park into a spot when you are trying to sandwich in between two other cars.

Well, it may be counterintuitive, but reverse parking is safer. For one thing, when you reverse into a parking spot, you are doing so in a designated space without any interruptions, surprises, and traffic. The other issue that you can clearly see your surroundings.

2. Quick Reverse Parking

We are always on the go. We cannot waste a single solitary second. We are in a rush! Come on! So, why are you driving forward into a parking space then?

Wait, what?

Indeed, driving forward into a spot wastes more time than reverse parking. Overall, you will spend a longer amount of time trying to safely reverse out of a space and into traffic. Think about it the next time you do it. So, if you want to save more time, then do so by reversing.

3. Fuel-Efficiency

Motorists are always trying to save on gas. Again, then why are you driving forward into a spot?

Reversing out of a parking space with a cold engine will consume as much as 25 times more fuel in the first seconds than a warm engine. The more you do it in any given day or week, the more money you will be spending on fuel.

Of course, the grease monkey in you will point to the wear-and-tear on your engine.

4. In Case of Emergency

Can you ever predict an emergency? They don’t call it an emergency for kicks. Indeed, reverse parking can be a big help when it comes to emergencies.

First, if there is an issue in the parking lot, then it is faster to drive straight out than to reverse park. Second, if there are some thieves in the vicinity who are trying to steal your car, then reversing closer to a wall may deter thieves from breaking into your boot since there is not enough space.

5. Drive Past the Open Spot

When you’re looking for a parking spot, be sure that you drive past the open spot first. This should be about one or two car lengths, and you should spend a couple of moments assessing the situation, such as how many cars are around you and how tight is the fit.

6. Turn Wheels All the Way

Once you have decided to reverse park, be sure that you have turned the wheels all the way. This will essentially ensure that you are ready to reverse just in case someone is trying to take your spot.

7. Check Your Mirrors

Prior to moving into the space, check your mirrors and make certain that no other car is near you. You don’t want to accidentally hit another car, preventing you from reversing ever again. You want this to be as smooth as possible.

8. Slowly Back into Your Space

Here comes the coup de grace: reverse parking. First, change gears and put the car in reverse. Then, the next major step is to slowly back into your space. You don’t want to be too aggressive and put the pedal to the metal. Slow and steady wins the race.

So, are you comfortable with how to reverse park now? We hope so. It is the most efficient, cost-effective, and quickest way to get around. Indeed, moving forward into a spot may seem like the easiest way to do things, but it will not help you one iota. Again, it may seem counterintuitive, but it will only delay things and hurt your wallet.

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