Back in everywhere, all the time, is a phrase I’ve said to many people. There is never a reason to not back in, and the end result is always a better parking job and an easier exit.
I picked it up driving ambulances and I’ll never go back. Being able to drive really well in reverse is an added bonus, I had to back an F430 with a box on the back up some steep, thin, windy driveways.
There is never a reason to not back in
Trunk access. I usually back in everywhere, but I figured out not to do it at the grocery store because there’s not enough room between cars to easily get back there if the lot is busy.
You know, you are absolutely right and I definitely didn’t think about that. In fact, I pull in in the Costco parking lot, because that’s the one place I really need that trunk access. So great point, absolutely right.
My grocery trips are generally smaller and more frequent, just open the front door, toss things on front seat, and get in the other side.
It’s also safer.
Absolutely. When I get most places, I’m sober and able to drive in reverse. It’s hard to back out with one eye closed.
There is never a reason to not back in, and the end result is always a better parking job and an easier exit.
With the exception of diagonally placed parking spots next to a one-way lane, like the 30-60 degree ones here: https://www.dimensions.com/collection/parking-lot-layouts.
If the lane is wide enough you might be able to back up into a 60 degree one, but I’d hardly qualify it as a better parking job or easier exit.
With regular parking lots I fully agree that backing up is usually far superior.
Back in everywhere, all the time

Counterargument: the rear of your car is far more resilient to impact than the front. You can cope with backing out, but maybe your wallet/schedule won’t cope with a fender-bender to your headlights or front bumper.
I’m trying not to hit things, first and foremost, and I think backing in provides as better opportunity for that.
Maybe the job should pay better then. Just saying.
My job has a reverse in only policy as it was determined to be safer to back in and drive out than drive in and back out
Usually I just find somewhere that I can pull through so I don’t have to reverse in either scenario ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Pull-through spots are the best
I used to work with a guy who was the worst driver I’d encountered up to that time, and he would circle parking lots until giving up and leaving if he couldn’t find a pull through spot. I would have complained, but he really was that bad of a driver and I didn’t want to be in the vehicle when he backed into someone!
I only park in crab-sidle spots
Envisualized
Too bad OP feels that way. Eventually you have to leave. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.
Any opinions expressed are solely those of COWK, and do not necessarily reflect the views of me, the OP.
Its actually written in to the TOS for the fediverse that posting something is an endorsement of the thing in the post.
Unfortunately this covenant is a deep bond. To sever ties with one is to sever with all.
This is why I set my car on fire whenever Ieave it.
Ahhh, the Omaha Protocol. Nice choice.
I back into my spot when I get home as a gift to Future Me. She’s always in a hurry.
Also, as a short person driving a raised/lowered minivan (floor is lowered so the whole is raised until it kneels as the ramp comes down) with a rear camera, it’s easier to back in exactly all the way than to see down over the hood.
This is the way.
You are likely more aware of your surroundings at the end of your journey rather than the beginning. That extra 30 seconds to back in could save you from an accident of someone in your blindspot not checking for lights
Backing into a spot is safer. Not just because you are less likely to hit something on your way out, but because in case of emergency, you are able to get out quickly.
Yeah, that’s exactly why I do it. Now you get it.
Years ago I read some bullshit “study” that employees who backed in to their parking spots were less committed to their employer or something. That’s when I started backing in to park at work and, you know what, I did feel slightly happier knowing that my departure would be just that much quicker at the end of the day!
The person who backs in is a person who always knows where the exit is
I only back into my parking space at home. I’ll gladly spend the extra time when I’m awake in the evening if it means that I don’t have to think about backing out in the morning.
You back into a parking spot so it’s easier to leave. I back into a parking spot because I’m paranoid of people tracking my plates. We are not the same.
If you would like to be blessed by COWK, please just type !BlessMe in response to this comment. You will soon receive wisdom and secrets of the universe straight from COWK herself. Only one blessing per user.
!blstpls
My gramp used to say; kid you wanna go foward in life, not backward.
I agree with the meme because damn I can’t wait to leave wherever I’m at and go home
But on a more serious level, why should you be leaving so quickly? It’s bad for the car to start it and then immediately take off.
If your gas engine car has been parked for a long time and has cooled from operating temps, you need to give it time to warm up first. Start the car and let it run for a minute. This allows time for fluids to cycle through your engine and radiator. Then you can drive, but don’t drive hard until your oil temp and coolant temp gauges rise to normal operating levels. Treat it like a workout for your body; you don’t go outside and then immediately begin sprinting. You want to start slow to warm up your muscles first.
Note: some modern cars indicate in the owner’s manual you can drive after 10 seconds from starting your car. You can listen to the manual since the engineers built your car and know it best. However, giving it sufficient time for fluids to flow through is always best. I always wait about a minute to play it safest.











