My new 2009 intro and parallel parking

[capt_jeb]

Hi. I bought a new 09 in October and have been loving it. I added the "anti fatigue matting" to the trunk area and have been really happy with that solution to scrapes in the trunk.No mods yet but I just ordered a Thule rack system/box with a pro-form. Once I have it installed I will post some pictures. My only gripe is with the limited rear visibility it's a hassle to parallel park. Does anybody else have this problem, or is it just me? Also, if anybody has any tips vibe paralleling they would be appreciated.

[star_deceiver]

Set your mirrors further out! The best solution to being a better parallel parker is to practice! Good luck!

[midnighthunder89]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93mI4SWYaT0

[star_deceiver]

Well..... that video was quite innapropriate for such a civilized forum such as this!(BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!)

[boudini]

I have never been able to parallel park very well, so the blind spots actually help provide cover for my lack of parking talent

[kostby]

When you have a new vehicle, especially if it is a different size or configuration from your last vehicle, it takes a while and much actual practice to learn the dimensions from the driver's seat. I have an '03. I was used to driving a mid-sized 4-door sedan that was about 1 foot longer. I know the rear visibility in the '09-10's is even more limited, but here's what I did when I got my '03. Hope it helps! When my son needed to learn parallel parking for his driving test, we used the same techniques.Go to a parking lot with a long straight curb. I used a school parking lot on the weekend.If possible, have a family member or friend bring a second car, so you have one to represent the 'front' car, and so you can easily move it where you want it.Put the rear seats down. It helps you judge where the outside rear of the car is by giving you a better idea of where the inside-rear of the car is the first few times. If you don't like the 'wagon' feel with the seats folded, and if you don't carry rear seat passengers, remove the rear seat headrests while you practice. It increases rear visibility a bitAfter each attempt. Get out and walk around the car to see how you did. (Better in summer, obviously.)The 'rear' car isn't important until you can consistently back the car into the space without hitting the curb, and without ending up 2 feet out from the curb.Practice parallel parking.Practice parallel parking.Practice parallel parking.If the weather is horrible, and you have a toy car with steerable front wheels, it may also help to practice 'parking' the toy car between boxes on your kitchen table, to see which way the front wheels need to turn and how much room the car needs to park.

[tpollauf]

I can relate to your parallel parking problem. Take a look at these pics of what I have to do when putting the Vibe away for the night. It's tight but I've gotten pretty good at it now and have it down to a science. The key is getting to know your mirrors (especially the pass side) and the distance from YOU to the back of the car. In time you too will have it perfected! Good luck!

486203=14782-Vibeingarage1.jpg

[tpollauf]

OOOpps. Not too good at posting pics. Here's the other pic

486204=14783-Vibeingarage2.jpg

[lowincash]

The vibe does have pretty bad rear visibility but you'll get use to it. Took me a week or so to get use to the car and I parallel park just fine. I did scratch the rims a few times when I first got the car. That was painful but whatever lol

[Underdog]

Try putting small spotter mirrors on both mirrors. They help a lot.Or you could do what I did, take a sawsall and cut the roof off!

[ou.grizzly]

When car shopping earlier in December, I did take a look at the Ford Escape; they did an excellent job with their side mirrors

[Snake]

I would suggest getting a pair of Curb Feelers and put them on the passenger side of your vehicle.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curb_feelerDuring the 50's etc,we used to use them all the time.