Driving a vehicle in reverse is one of those maneuvers that can be intimidating and frightening to both novice and veteran drivers. Since the steering wheels of a rearward-moving vehicle remain the front wheels and the view from the outside is largely obscured by the vehicle body itself, driving in reverse is certainly one of the most difficult maneuvers that any driver has to face. However, it is possible to increase your ability to drive a vehicle in reverse by limiting the maneuvering speed and paying close attention to everything that surrounds the perimeter of the vehicle.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare to Depart in Total Safety
Step 1. Fasten your seat belts
It is very difficult to be aware and in control of everything that happens around us while driving a vehicle in reverse, so it is very important to take all the necessary steps to ensure the highest level of safety for both you and your passengers. Fastening your seat belts is to protect you in case you accidentally hit something or if another vehicle hits yours.
- Today almost all vehicles are equipped with "three-point" safety belts (consisting of a lap belt and an oblique belt), which must be fastened to the relative anchorage point between the two front seats.
- The law obliges drivers and passengers of vehicles to fasten their seat belts before starting the journey. This obligation is in force in many countries around the world.
Step 2. Position the driver's seat so that it is close enough for you to fully depress the brake pedal
Make sure you adjust the horizontal position of the driver's seat so that you can press the brake pedal with ease while looking back over your right shoulder. In some cases, performing this maneuver may require you to get considerably closer to the steering wheel of the vehicle than when you drive normally.
- Before starting reverse, try looking back over your right shoulder to make sure you can press and release the brake pedal smoothly.
- Adjust the driver's seat until you feel perfectly comfortable in a comfortable position and are not fully certain that you can brake quickly in an emergency.
Step 3. Do a "360 ° check"
To perform this step, you must rotate your head and shoulders so that you can look in all directions while managing to cover a 360 ° field of view. This check is to make sure there are no obstacles along the way and to become aware of any other moving vehicle or object to be aware of while reversing.
- To perform this type of check it is useful to use the rear view mirrors, but it is equally important to actively look in every possible direction as these accessories are known to have "blind spots" which could hide obstacles or moving objects.
- Make sure you are observing the road along both sides of the vehicle using the rear-view mirrors; also, rotate your head and body to make sure there are no people or animals along the way.
Part 2 of 3: Starting the Maneuver
Step 1. Place your right foot on the brake pedal
Both while driving normally and when reversing, the foot that should control the accelerator and brake pedal should always be the right foot only. In the case of a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, the left foot should only be used to manage the clutch, while in the case of a vehicle with an automatic transmission the left foot is not used. Press the brake pedal firmly using your right foot. In this way the vehicle will not be able to move from its current position.
- In the case of a vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox, the brake pedal is the central one, while in the case of a vehicle with an automatic gearbox it is the one on the left.
- In the case of a vehicle with automatic transmission, the brake pedal is the largest one.
Step 2. Place your left hand at the highest point of the steering wheel exactly in the center
While the general rule is to drive a vehicle by holding the steering wheel in the classic "10:10" position (referring to a clock face), when driving in reverse a rotation of the torso to the right is required. In this case, you need to place your palm at the top center point of the steering wheel rim in order to be able to make slight corrections to the trajectory while looking over your right shoulder and the vehicle is in motion.
Driving in reverse with one hand is the optimal solution because it may be very difficult to reach the steering wheel rim with the right hand while the torso and head are facing backwards
Step 3. Engage reverse
There are two methods for engaging the reverse gear which vary according to the type of transmission fitted to the vehicle; on cars with automatic transmission, normally, it is necessary to press a button located on the gear lever to be able to align it in the "R" position, while on vehicles equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, it is generally possible to engage reverse gear by pressing or lifting the gear lever and then move it all the way to the right and back (or all the way to the left and forward).
- On vehicles equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox, reverse is located next to the first and engages by moving the gear lever all the way to the left and forwards.
- In the case of some car models, to be able to engage reverse gear, it is necessary to press the gear lever down or raise a special safety ring.
- If you are not sure how to reverse your car, refer to the instruction booklet.
Step 4. Look back towards the rear of the vehicle over the shoulder closest to the passenger side
Make sure the outside view is not obstructed, then turn your torso and head towards the passenger side; this way you can look out through the rear window of the vehicle. Remember not to take your foot off the brake pedal as you perform this maneuver. If you are driving a van or truck with a closed body that blocks the outside view from the rear window, you will have to rely solely on the side mirrors to drive in reverse.
- To take a more comfortable position while looking out the rear window of the vehicle, you can place your right arm on the backrest of the passenger seat.
- If you can only rely on the side mirrors to drive your vehicle in reverse, be sure to check both extremely frequently.
Step 5. Slowly lift your right foot off the brake pedal
If the vehicle you are driving is equipped with an automatic transmission, as soon as you take your foot off the brake the car will slowly start moving in reverse. Most vehicles on the market have an engine speed at idle that is high enough to be able to move without having to press the accelerator pedal.
- To manage the movement of the car more easily, take your foot off the brake pedal without pressing the accelerator.
- When reversing, if you need to slow down the vehicle, press the brake pedal again.
- If the car you are driving is equipped with a manual transmission transmission, you must slowly release the clutch pedal while simultaneously pressing the accelerator very gently. Once the vehicle has started to reverse, the engine can be kept idling to make maneuvering easier.
Part 3 of 3: Controlling a Reversing Vehicle
Step 1. Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the vehicle to move
The dynamics of driving in reverse is quite different from that of normal driving since the steering wheels are always the front ones even when the vehicle is moving backwards. When reversing and you need to make changes in direction, always do it with small movements by turning the steering wheel slightly towards the desired direction.
- By turning the steering wheel to the left, the rear of the vehicle will turn to the left and vice versa.
- If you realize that the direction the car is taking is not the right one, stop the car, then resume the maneuver only after you have regained control of the vehicle.
Step 2. If necessary, move your right foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
If you are climbing up a hill or need to steer while moving in reverse, you may occasionally need to press the accelerator gently. After taking your foot off the brake completely, move it onto the accelerator pedal (the one to the right of the brake pedal). Press it gently for maximum control of the speed at which the vehicle moves.
- Make small changes in the speed of the car's movement by applying light pressure on the accelerator pedal.
- When you have gained sufficient speed or need to slow down, return your right foot to the brake pedal.
Step 3. Steer using both hands
Sometimes, to get around an obstacle while reversing, you may need to operate the steering wheel using both hands. Using only one hand you are able to rotate the steering wheel only 90 ° in the chosen direction; so if you need to make a tighter turn, turning the steering wheel with two hands could be of great help. In this case, make sure you are still able to look out the rear window even when you place your right hand on the rim of the steering wheel.
Never cross your arms while turning the steering wheel. Just push the steering wheel rim up with one hand, while with the other you pull it down, detaching them alternately to bring them back to their original position once they have finished the stroke of the movement
Step 4. Do not move faster than you can easily control
Driving in reverse is quite different from driving normally; moreover, the external view is often limited by the car body and the reduced width of the rear window and rear windows. Whatever vehicle you are driving, do not be in a hurry when moving in reverse; take your time to carry out the maneuver without running the risk of having an accident.
- Never drive a vehicle in a way that makes you feel insecure.
- If you are not sure if the maneuver you are carrying out is correct, do not hesitate to stop the vehicle.
Step 5. If you need to stop the car, press the brake pedal firmly using your right foot
When you have reached the desired destination, gradually press the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a smooth stop without jerking. Try never to press the brake pedal too quickly or the car will crash suddenly (unless you are in an emergency situation).
- Remember to use your right foot only to operate the brake pedal.
- Keep pressing the brake pedal even when the car is completely stopped.
Step 6. At the end of the maneuver, park the vehicle
If your car is equipped with an automatic transmission, fully depress the brake pedal, then move the shift lever to the "P" position. If you are using a car with a manual transmission, put it in neutral, then set the parking brake.
