When parallel parking, why is it easier to back into the spot?

[Metron]

Originally posted by: Amol
I saw 3 different people try to parallel park frontwards today. None of them got it right.

These three?

You don't need to parallel park if you can skid/drift/park like a maniac...

 

[yelo333]

Originally posted by: Metron

Originally posted by: Amol
I saw 3 different people try to parallel park frontwards today. None of them got it right.

These three?

You don't need to parallel park if you can skid/drift/park like a maniac...

Heh, the one it links to is great, but in a different way:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYXbddoVjTY&NR=1

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Farang
How difficult would it be to have a system where you could alternate between rear and front wheel steering? That is, you can stop in front of your parking space, switch to rear wheel, and parallel park facing forwards?

An electric steer-by-wire car would be able to accomplish this fairly easily, as long as it had "steering" motors on both axles.

 

[Shawn]

I can nose in. But I drive a miata.

 

[TheDro]

Easier backing in, German Fahrschule (Schodorf, Schweinfurt) taught me to pull your vehicle where you in the drivers seat lines up with the rear passenger door or the rear tires of the vehicle you'll be parking behind, and then turn the wheel all the way to which ever direction which will make the rear of the vehicle back in first into the space, and when the rear tires come close to the curb or hit the curb (hopefully theres no wall, fence, parking meter, sign in the way, etc) then turn the wheel in the opposite direction all the way, and back the vehicle into the space some more until you're in, and correct it if needed if you're too close to the vehicle behind you/ infront, etc. Thanks to Thomas' (Toe-MAAS) teachings, I now have mad parallel parking skilz where I can parallel park my 2005 Toyota Tacoma in midtown Atlanta. Impresses the ladies ya know.

 

[Evadman]

Screw that, I always go in at a 90 degree angle and yank on the ebreake. Boom, perfect parking spot without impeeding traffic.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Farang
How difficult would it be to have a system where you could alternate between rear and front wheel steering? That is, you can stop in front of your parking space, switch to rear wheel, and parallel park facing forwards?

Some vehicles do have four-wheel steering. Ultimately, it ends up being too costly and complex for the improved steering radius...seldom do you need more than what you can get out of front wheel steering.

I have personally parked in a spot with 5" of space in front and behind...yes, that does involve a slight amount of nudging, but it's doable.