Hi All,
Just wondering what the views here are.
I see my neighbour reversing with apparent great ease (and speed sometimes) purely using his mirrors. I have tried reversing on the mirrors but don't feel comfortable and have to stick my head out the window, rain or shine.
It occurs to me that using the mirrors properly is better technique and safer, but my views often change after reading threads on here!!
What do you do and what is safest?
Regards.
FTF
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>> what is safest?
Both, if possible. It's a good idea to have two heads, one mounted on swivels.
I use the mirrors more these days because my head doesn't turn as far or as easily or as quickly as it once did. Wear and tear.
Reversing is always dangerous because there's a large blind area low down with most vehicles. Cat disasters and toddler tragedies sometimes result.
My present car makes noises when in reverse gear if the rear comes within a couple of feet of anything. It's a help, but it doesn't make it easy or safe.
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Some vehicle have automatic dipping mirrors when you select reverse. Regards Peter
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Mirrors every time in confined spaces, not forgetting blind spots. If you can see a space between the side of your car and any obstruction you wont touch it.
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Certainly reversing at speed is not the safest way, as your view is servely restricted. Also sticking your head out of the window, is not the best option, although having it open listening for traffic noise makes sense. The safest way to reverse without someone guiding you, is to use constant all round observations, using your mirrors and body position to constantly keep upto date with whats around you. Remember your vehicle has many blind spots and you need to constantly be aware of what is in them and that is why this manouvre is best done at a slow controlled speed. {link removed}
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 11/10/2009 at 21:46
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I passed my test years ago in works van so using mirrors was normal - it's come in handy now as like Lud my neck doesn't turn like it used to -- SWMBO has hell of a game - seem to turn wheel wrong way going backwards - she took four attempts to get out of drive last week but she is getting better.
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Mirrors
and parking sensors.
I hurl abuse and ridicule at those behind whom I am stuck while they try and reverse into a space large enough to hold the Royal Philarmonic (and the stage truck)
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Use the door mirrors and swivel my head, I have to cross a path as well when backing out so pause before crossing it and check both ways... I don't rely on the internal mirror at all, the view given by it is simply not wide enough and door mirrors don't give a vey wide view either.
Edited by b308 on 11/10/2009 at 17:10
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I once watched a detective sergeant in the West End drug squad park a Mk 2 Cortina very quickly and fairly neatly in the middle of a stroppy, demonstrating mob of hippies. Later he was famously busted himself for years of corruption including theft, drug dealing and busting the innocent.
Very nasty man. Damn good close-quarters driver.
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Mirrors (superb on the Roomie and the current CRV) - linked to sensors which are excellent in the Honda and include corner sensors front and rear with a graphic display. Very easy car to place despite the apparent bulk.
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>>Head out the Window>>
Surely easier to open the door..:-)
I also use the mirrors and swivelling my head as appropriate - however if my door mirrors only pointed at the kerb when in reverse I wouldn't be very impressed.
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I can't believe how many of you use sensors, I really didn't think they were that poplular.
I use mirrors only, just as I always have done in an artic, but having said that I can be far more accurate at getting a 45' trailer in on the blind side than I can with the CR-V!
Pat
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Sensors for guidence only - MK1 eyeball has the final say !
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I cant see the final metre of road behind, so sensors have the final say.
(unless of course there is a cliff/river/dock/gorge (tick as appropriate) behind, then two metres is close enough)
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People often walk directly behind reversing cars. Especially in car parks but also when cars are kerbside parking. I wonder why they do that. Some of them will also be drivers who happen to be walking and must realise that they may not have been seen.
Such people, who sadly abound, must surely lack some combination of intellect, courtesy or common sense.
Come to think of it, why am I even mildly surprised?
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Usually mirrors in the car, takes some getting used to as the mirrors are different shapes/sizes and the o/s is flat where n/s is convex...did any other makers do this apart from MB?
Combination of superb huge mirrors on the pick up, aided by front and rear sensors, very useful in car parks and on the street where little ones can sometimes be about, belt and braces and all that.
Drivers door open on truck, yes i'd fail the current test, but many old time truckies do this, keeps the drivers windows smear free too.
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Mirrors only. I try to have main focus on rear view mirror, but also my peripheral vision 'spread' from front view & door-mirrors - easier than you think with practice. I find I then get quite a good '360' degree impression of what the whole vehicle's doing & whether any moving (living or mechanical!) objects have come into the picture during the manoeuvre.
I think it's vital not to move your head when reversing, as re-focussing & re-orienting the spacial 'picture' from the above takes vital seconds & can lead to mishap.
The only movement I ever permit myself is a quick check on narrow gaps via side mirrors or when reversing (unaviodably) into a road/other access where a blind spot might exist as the car turns.
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My best mate is disabled and finds the parking sensors on his Mondeo (current model) a boon.
Often amazes me just how close he gets to objects in front or behind just based on the increasing sound pitch.
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Within a very short time the technology shown in this video may well be on a lot more cars than it is today (just Lexus and Skoda currently?).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa4iMG7-_WM
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How long before we hear "It wasnt me it was the car" after a bump?
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Unless you've got three heads, it's got to be mirrors.
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Can't get the video. But some three years ago drove a Citroen C4 diesel demonstrator that had a video camera pointing down through the back window, showing almost everything on what I suppose was the satnav screen. Anyway a video screen. I guess that would be useful, and fairly safe too for toddlers etc. But you would still need the door mirrors.
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So no-one's going to own up to doing the "Tesco Reverse" then?
Check that it's clear behind the car before you get in, then trust to luck that it stays that way when you move. Come on, we know you're out there.
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Mirrors; then turn me head round to look through the back window. Looking out of the window wouldn't help me.
Sometimes leave too much of a gap, though, in unfamiliar circs.
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I've always thought reversing bleeper thingies were for wusses. My new car has them. They're good aren't they.......
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I will Robin ( very embarrassed(: )
In the CR-V I always look for a parking space I can drive through and not have to reverse.
Pat
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I will Robin ( very embarrassed(: ) In the CR-V I always look for a parking space I can drive through and not have to reverse. Pat
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Pat, how can you wield a full sized articulated truck but have trouble with a CR-V? I am sure your skill didnt evaporate when you retired from professional driving.
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"Can't get the video."
Shows the view on the internal screen, Lud, as in the C4 - but takes over the steering, and also works out whether the space is big enough before you start.
So it will reverse parallel park (or whatever) for you. You just apply gentle throttle and brake, nothing else, as appropriate.
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My skill in a car to go backwards has always been non existant !
Too small mirrors, lack of vision from the rear view mirror and the inbuilt ability to turn the steering wheel the 'wrong' way.
Trouble is, whenever I'm in my local Tesco car park, another lorry driver I know will always see me making a pigs ear of it, and I never live it down:)
Pat
Edited by pda on 11/10/2009 at 19:26
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Never mind, Pat, we are all carp at something. 10 points for admitting your driving limitations on a motoring site. I cant type, sing or dance, but am a perfect driver, (I wish).
Edited by Webmaster on 12/10/2009 at 14:15
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In my youth I drove a Bedford CF and a Ford A series, both of which had huge load areas to carry fruit machines, juke boxes and pool tables.
Reversing by means of mirrors was the only option and I learned how to do this.
I've just continued to use this technique regardless of what I now drive and find it suits me well.
I do believe that, as I'm left-handed, my brain copes better with inverted images. I do know that driving on the right on the continent causes me no problems, except that I start to refer to left as right and vice versa. Make of that what you will.
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I'm left handed and funnily enough have no problem with inverted images either (never had trouble with I Drive - probably for the same reason) - I was lucky I was taught formally to reverse by mirrors (long story) still I can't reverse a trailer for toffee.
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Bit of both combined with head swiveling. Once I'm lined up with a space on a car park (or the drive) then its head out of window to judge the final line up. Neighbour comes off his drive with door open to precisely judge the "wiggle" required by the shape of the cul de sac and postion of his house.
The Berlingo's mirrors are excellent but those on the Xantia, while fine for general rear view, are useless for reversing.
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Slightly OT, but I'm left-handed too - to fellow sinistrals, try this experiment: write a familiar/easy sentence from right to left in 'mirror' writing on a fairly thin piece of white paper (so you can read the reverse). It sounds impossible, but I was surprised by how easy it is. Check your work by trying to read from the other side. Many sinistrals (inc. Da Vinci in cryptic mode) can do this. Dexters may try but few will succeed!
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Combination of door mirrors and parking sensors. Lost count of the number of times the sensors have picked up an errant dog or child in Richmond market square that have got under the back window of the C8 and I haven't seen them. Mrs H thinks I park too slowly and that approaching the space a bit more assertively would stop these occurrences.
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I use mirrors only [very rarely head out of the window].
Hitting car on something is more preferable to hitting my head on something ;)
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Turn around when appropriate to look out of the back windows. No need to stick your head out of the window, which can be unsafe.
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Turn around when appropriate to look out of the back windows. No need to stick your head out of the window which can be unsafe.
That's always been my method. Swivel through 180 degrees and steer with right hand. The only limit to speed is visibility and the inherent instability of rear steering.
I remember a Volvo automatic that was capable of the same speed in reverse as forwards.
Scary but spectacular.
I know using mirrors is the proper way, but has the inherent disadvantage that you can't look through both at the same time.
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Combination of mirrors, parking sensors and a 'kwik park' prism in the back window - which you use by looking in the internal mirror and through the prism.
Edited by Frostynose on 12/10/2009 at 21:14
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im a forklift driver so going backwards isnt a problem for me, sticking your head out of the safety cage ( cab) is a test fail so i dont do the door open reverse palava in the car , also mirrors on a fork truck are as rare as rocking horse doo doo but i would be lost without them in the car
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>>>>also mirrors on a fork truck are as rare as rocking horse doo doo but i would be lost without them in the car <<<<
So are brakes :)
Pat
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This reminds me of one of Jasper Carrot's comedy routines many years ago - insurance claim forms sent in by Australian drivers, IIRC.
"I thought the window was open. When I put my head out, I found it wasn't."
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Mirrors. For good, all-round, easy observation and two hands still on the wheel.
Door open is scary as anything: hit something and you'll rip the door off. I HATE even watching it.
Head out the window is pretty scary too: a head is a delicate piece of machinery and best kept safe in the car.
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After the usual safety check for pedestrians, I now use my mirrors and the superb animated reversing display in my FL Octavia. Gives a very accurate impression as to what is around the rear of the car. If reversing parallel to a kerb I'd also tip the NS mirror down to minimise wheel damage.
Edited by Glaikit Wee Scunner {P} on 16/10/2009 at 12:56
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When I was learning, my instructor told me it was illegal to reverse using mirrors alone - must turn head backwards to watch...
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That might have been OK in 1968 looking out of the rear of a Triumph Herald!
But I can not see anything low within 20' of the rear of my car due to the smallish rear window and high boot.The parking sensors are thus very welcome.
On a driving test I agree, one must exagerrate everything to you show you are paying attention.
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This is what the police driver's handbook, 'Roadcraft', has to say:-
"Before you reverse:
- scan the area for suitability and obstructions
-ensure you have an unobstructed view
-use your mirrors to help you whilst you reverse but look all round -don't rely on mirrors alone
-wind down your door window to give you more all-round awareness"
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Got parking sensors front and rear on my new Golf and they're marvellous also with a useful display on the radio.
These, allied with views in the door mirrors, that tilt downwards and with human awareness, give me much more accurate parking in confined spaces, especially as I have an ageing and stiff, painful neck.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 17/10/2009 at 22:09
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