Assuming parking spot is perpendicular to the roadway, backing in is just the correct way for a vehicle with front wheel steering. The centre of rotation is in line with the rear axle. The front needs to move through a bigger arc to line up with the spot, than the back does.
Sure you can make it work by driving in forwards, but then you need to swing way wide out first, to get the turning done (or even, god forbid, reverse back out for a second bite at the apple).
As someone who always backs in (unless it’s a diagonal or pull-through spot) and a math person, I’m ashamed to say I never thought of the geometry of it, so thanks for the additional reason to add to my arsenal.
I can add it to “ready to leave quickly in an emergency,” “practicing delayed gratification,” “backup camera guidelines make centering easier,” “constant trunk access,” and the biggest real reason, “I have a bad habit of leaving for obligations at the last possible minute and need to plan ahead.”
Assuming parking spot is perpendicular to the roadway, backing in is just the correct way for a vehicle with front wheel steering. The centre of rotation is in line with the rear axle. The front needs to move through a bigger arc to line up with the spot, than the back does.
Sure you can make it work by driving in forwards, but then you need to swing way wide out first, to get the turning done (or even, god forbid, reverse back out for a second bite at the apple).
As someone who always backs in (unless it’s a diagonal or pull-through spot) and a math person, I’m ashamed to say I never thought of the geometry of it, so thanks for the additional reason to add to my arsenal.
I can add it to “ready to leave quickly in an emergency,” “practicing delayed gratification,” “backup camera guidelines make centering easier,” “constant trunk access,” and the biggest real reason, “I have a bad habit of leaving for obligations at the last possible minute and need to plan ahead.”
Exactly. If you are in a parking and going in front first into a parking space on your right side, you are driving dangerously against traffic.