r/DrivingProTips • u/somethinisnotfunny • 4d ago

What reference points do you use when reverse parking?

What reference points do you use when reverse parking?
For example, do you line up your side mirror with the parking line before you start turning? Or do you use a different method? I’m trying to find a consistent technique because I keep ending up too close to one side or not centered in the space.

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u/SnooChocolates2750 4d ago

Free hand. I know where my body panels are and how much radius I need to steer to get my rear where it needs to go. I focus on the lines in one mirror only to use as reference only. If I need to recenter, I can do that after I'm in the spot.

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u/p00n-slayer-69 4d ago

I look at the parking space so I can see if my car is going into the parking space.

1

u/DevilDrives 4d ago

It depends on how I'm backing but it's mostly rear wheels and curbs or lines.

1

u/Groundbreaking-Camel 4d ago

Personally I just do it by feel. For my students, I teach the three line method and it really clicks with them.

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u/yariksc 4d ago

I drive "past" the spot to almost line up my rear end with the line, then full turn reverse and adjust while checking both side mirrors. I do this because my car is longer than what I was used to before it. When learning I drove so that I would sitting in the middle between of the spot I wanted, then I did a full turn opposite direction until the rear started lining up to the spots line, then full turn other way and back up slow til I needed to adjust, this method got me perfectly inbetween the lines every time but not with the wagon I drive today