Aspects of driving: reversing.
By MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
February 20, 2007 4:24pm CST
From an early age my Dad let me drive the big family car. One trip Dad, my brother and I went on, I got to drive for many miles. I was comfortable driving and I handled the car well. There was never much traffic so there was no problem there. When my mum achieved her licence later in life I was about 15. Mum couldn't back the car into the garage when she arrived home so she would get me to do it. I passed my driving test first go being proficient at reverse parking and 3 point turns. I've been able to back up with a trailer usually pretty well (though not always..lol).
I'm now driving an Astra...from the General Motors family this vehicle is German built.
I cannot reverse it properly. It always ends up crooked. I think I've backed into the reverse angle parking spot properly, only to discover I'm way out of alignment. Same deal when I back into my garage...it's all over in one corner practically at 45 degrees (exageration for emphasis..lol). I have to have 3 or 4 goes to back out of the garage, down the driveway and out through the gates.
What's wrong with me?? It's a small car. It doesn't go where I think it's going and I have no idea how to correct what I'm doing incorrectly...He-e-e-lp!
2 people like this
4 responses
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
21 Feb 07
I think I'm saying the same as the first responder. I might be you are just used to the larger car, your mind hasn't adjusted to the different size.
I had this problem when I was living at home with my parents. Mom drove a station wagon (big) and Dad drove a Triump Spitfire (very small). I got to drive whichever wasn't needed at the time but most often drove the wagon. If I hadn't driven the Spitfire for several weeks I would have problems adjusting from driving the wagon.
@Harpreet_1988 (85)
• Australia
22 Feb 07
Thats exactly what i wanted to say, maybe i responded too casually to the topic just like i would have done in a chat. But anyways u get a + from me ;)
1 person likes this
@Harpreet_1988 (85)
• Australia
20 Feb 07
mayb ur jus new to this car and u r too used to drivin ur other cars that ur still having a mind set & ur driving this one like the other cars. Maybe a few weeks with this one and ud be backing up properly ;)
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
20 Feb 07
Excuse me? I'm sorry, I don't understand your response. We use English here at MyLot. That includes the correct spelling of same. You will be forgiven if it's not your first language but not if you think you are being clever by using a silly combination of phonetics and abbreviations. Maybe you should read the guidelines. Please see the bottom of the page. Have fun.
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
24 Feb 07
I do believe in my profile here that I state, "I am that gray-haired woman that gets in front of you. The one that you can barely see her head above the steering wheel. The one that brakes for no reason whatsoever. The one that speeds up and slows down and speeds up and slows down and speeds up and slows down. The one you swear at but can't pass because just as you are ready to pass her as the white dotted line is the time she speeds up. Obviously, I am not the one you want to help you. I still cannot park on the street at the curb when there are NO cars around.~Donna
ps: the picture isn't me - but it works!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Feb 07
Excellent work Harpeet. Thankyou...knew you could do it...lol.
Thanks for your concerns folks but I actually drive 4 vehicles and also occasionally a big old farm truck. I've figured out that I'm oversteering when I reverse in the Astra but I'm having trouble correcting it. I'm fine when I'm backing/reversing the other vehicles. Maybe it's designed so you use the mirrors to reverse. I am dyslexic when it comes to reversing using mirrors...I need to physically turn my head and shoulders to see where I'm going. It sure has me frustrated.
