Blind Spot, Backing Up, Angry Lady.

[Minhtin]

This seems like a bad combination. I was backing up the Z at my usual speed of .5 mph because I knew I couldn't see out behind my 5 and 7 o'clock position. Then all the sudden I heard 2 rapid honks. I immediately stopped and scanned, but I couldn't see them so I knew they were in my blind spot and waited a good 5 seconds to let them pass. All the sudden I hear another honk and I couldn't see where they were at. At this point after seeing my rear was cleared, I backed out completely and saw a scion that was in my 5 o'clock position with a lady in the passenger seat frantically flailing her arms about. Being a grown up person, I rolled down my window and apologized and told her that I couldn't see out of of the vehicle when they're in our giant blind spot. Her respond was "well you should do something about that, you almost cause a "major" collision". I had a smart *** comment for her, but I felt it would be inappropriate to use as I was in the wrong.

Anyway, what do you guys usually do about that? As far as dealing with the situation and dealing with the blind spot itself. I wanted to get out of the car and wave them through, but I had my sidearm on me and felt that getting out of the car and possibly getting into an armed conflict would be an extremely bad idea.

[Zbrah]

Ignore and move on, and just be glad there wasn't a major collision happened. I try to back in any spaces whenever possible to avoid having to back out and situations like this.

[Minhtin]

Humm I haven't thought of that. I used to back up vehicles all the in time until i got my Acura TL, guess I'll start doing that again.

[aszyd]

Backup camera. Also, it sounds like you need to adjust your side mirrors.

[Bleek]

4 options;


1- Continue to do what you're doing and pray it doesn't end up badly

2- Get a backup camera

3- Park further away from everyone

4- Back in to the parking spot

[dP3NGU1N]

Originally Posted by aszyd

Backup camera. Also, it sounds like you need to adjust your side mirrors.

^This. I don't see how you have a blind spot backing out unless you don't have your mirrors adjusted properly. If you can see your car in your own mirror then you're doing something wrong.

How To: Adjust Your Mirrors to Avoid Blind Spots - Feature - Car and Driver

[RoshDawg]

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

^This. I don't see how you have a blind spot backing out unless you don't have your mirrors adjusted properly. If you can see your car in your own mirror then you're doing something wrong.

How To: Adjust Your Mirrors to Avoid Blind Spots - Feature - Car and Driver

Agreed, except for when you're on the autoban. If you flare them out too much to cover blind spots, you sacrifice being able to see someone speeding like mad at a far distance in the next lane.
But I know what you mean op, just gotta fix the mirrors, use all the mirrors, and turn around (not just look over your shoulder). As if you're backing up an attached trailer on a pickup.

[Minhtin]

Yes I am used to adjusting my mirrors so that it would barely shows my flaring. I'll adjust it out further and see how it goes. I wouldn't mind paying extra for those blind side sensors option like the ones equipped on Lexus vehicles. I need to move my passenger seat up as well I think. The way it is now, the headrest completely obstruct my view of the little quarter panel window.

Only had the car for a month now, and I pray every day I don't hit someone changing lane. Thanks for the tips fellas.

[NoLaKrewe]

Simple solution at your local autozone. 6 dollars for 2 blind spot mirrors. Attach to your mirrors and profit

[brancky3]

Originally Posted by NoLaKrewe

Simple solution at your local autozone. 6 dollars for 2 blind spot mirrors. Attach to your mirrors and profit

I wish those didn't look so terrible. I believe you can buy a whole new mirror glass with wide angle built in for like $150, but then you lose heated mirrors.

[NoLaKrewe]

Originally Posted by brancky3

I wish those didn't look so terrible. I believe you can buy a whole new mirror glass with wide angle built in for like $150, but then you lose heated mirrors.

Realistically my Fj cost me 40k plus I've sunk another 20 into her for rock crawling. If you've never driven a Fj cruiser the car literally has no vision. If you think a Z is bad drive a Fj for 6 seconds.

I'd rather have 2x ugly *** mirrors that protect my 60k investment then no investment at all.

[NoLaKrewe]

This mine on my Fj

[grandpawmoses]

I have the backup camera but due to about fifty years of looking over my shoulder to back up, I just glance at it before I start backing up. My fear is parking lot idiots. I'm talking about when you check & it's all clear, start backing up & some idiot comes speeding down the lane behind you. You check & it's all clear, start backing up & someone else across the lane backs up at the same time. Sometimes it's a pedestrian in a world of their own walking behind a backing up car.
My wifes car has a camera but also has an audible alarm if it detects an object when you're in reverse. I think Nissan should add this feature to the Z.

[Akmcmahon]

Originally Posted by grandpawmoses

I have the backup camera but due to about fifty years of looking over my shoulder to back up, I just glance at it before I start backing up. My fear is parking lot idiots. I'm talking about when you check & it's all clear, start backing up & some idiot comes speeding down the lane behind you. You check & it's all clear, start backing up & someone else across the lane backs up at the same time. Sometimes it's a pedestrian in a world of their own walking behind a backing up car.
My wifes car has a camera but also has an audible alarm if it detects an object when you're in reverse. I think Nissan should add this feature to the Z.

The problem is generally idiot drivers that pay no mind to reverse lights or slowly backing out vehicles. Your blind spots are there, it's going to still be a challenge to see clearly due to the design of the Z. Backing into your spot is the easiest and safest option. The reverse camera does have a good FOV to allow some visibility around corners for backing out. But you shouldn't put 100% trust into it.

I back out slowly as well and use my reverse camera to check around corners. But people are notoriously impatient and will speed by you instead of waiting for you to back out.

[VCuomo]

Originally Posted by grandpawmoses

I have the backup camera but due to about fifty years of looking over my shoulder to back up, I just glance at it before I start backing up. My fear is parking lot idiots. I'm talking about when you check & it's all clear, start backing up & some idiot comes speeding down the lane behind you. You check & it's all clear, start backing up & someone else across the lane backs up at the same time. Sometimes it's a pedestrian in a world of their own walking behind a backing up car. ...

This is the biggest problem I've had with my Z, combined with a large vehicle (like a pickup truck, SUV, or minivan) parked right next to me that makes it impossible to see if there's anyone coming up the lane you're about to back into. I just backup very slowly and watch like a hawk. There's nothing much else you can do.