[SkykingUSA]

The other day I drove to a local Thai restaurant for take-out. When I'm alone, I try to park away from other vehicles, even if it means parking on the other side of the lot, but since this is a pretty small plaza, there were no open spots away from all the other cars. So, I parked near the restaurant where there was no one beside me on the left, and where there was no parking spot on the right. I figured it would limit my chances of parking issues (like dings, etc.) to one side of my car only.

When I came out of the restaurant, there was a large SUV parked beside me. It was so close that I could barely walk between our vehicles. I saw there was what looked like a mom in the vehicle trying to wrangle two or three small children that were going crazy, so rather than ask her to move, I just stood beside my car (on the side where there was no parking spot) and backed the car out using the remote parking feature, got in and drove off. It was my first use of the feature out of necessity. Previously I used it to back the car up a little when I'm washing it in the driveway so I could apply tire dressing evenly, but that was hardly what I'd call a necessity.

Even if I don't use it often, it's nice to have when I need it. :-) In the past, I found it would disconnect a lot, or not connect at all until after a number of tries. I found a work-around that always works for me: before I initiate the remote parking feature in the app, I turn off Bluetooth on my phone, and turn it back on. As long as I do that right before using remote parking, it always connects the first time and works fine. I'm guessing that after a while, my pixel watch "hogs" the Bluetooth connection or just interferes too much with the car's Bluetooth connection for the remote parking. Whatever the reason, at least I know how to make it work every time, and it's a quick and easy work-around.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

The other day I drove to a local Thai restaurant for take-out. When I'm alone, I try to park away from other vehicles, even if it means parking on the other side of the lot, but since this is a pretty small plaza, there were no open spots away from all the other cars. So, I parked near the restaurant where there was no one beside me on the left, and where there was no parking spot on the right. I figured it would limit my chances of parking issues (like dings, etc.) to one side of my car only.

When I came out of the restaurant, there was a large SUV parked beside me. It was so close that I could barely walk between our vehicles. I saw there was what looked like a mom in the vehicle trying to wrangle two or three small children that were going crazy, so rather than ask her to move, I just stood beside my car (on the side where there was no parking spot) and backed the car out using the remote parking feature, got in and drove off. It was my first use of the feature out of necessity. Previously I used it to back the car up a little when I'm washing it in the driveway so I could apply tire dressing evenly, but that was hardly what I'd call a necessity.

Even if I don't use it often, it's nice to have when I need it. :-) In the past, I found it would disconnect a lot, or not connect at all until after a number of tries. I found a work-around that always works for me: before I initiate the remote parking feature in the app, I turn off Bluetooth on my phone, and turn it back on. As long as I do that right before using remote parking, it always connects the first time and works fine. I'm guessing that after a while, my pixel watch "hogs" the Bluetooth connection or just interferes too much with the car's Bluetooth connection for the remote parking. Whatever the reason, at least I know how to make it work every time, and it's a quick and easy work-around.

That is a really nice story. And more than justifies the cost of it in my eyes. I think one of the problems we have (Pretty much everywhere) is that parking spaces can be much smaller than they were in the past. Here in Spain it's ridiculous. Parking spaces are painted for micro-cars it seems like. And even in the US, they are made for something like a Camry or Accord at best. More like a Corolla or Civic in some places. SUV's keep getting bigger, and inconsiderate people want to park these behemoth land yachts in parking spaces much too small for them. I saw someone in Concord let everyone out of a Suburban, park in between two other vehicles in a space marked "Compact Only", and climb out the tailgate that was sticking out into the roadway.

[Scrapula]

I noticed a big difference in parking space size when I moved to Washington from Florida. They are quite a big narrower. I figured it was for all the retirees in Florida with their big sedans. Now, I drive a big sedan, lol. Still, the M60 is very maneuverable with the rear wheel steering. I’m glad for the remote parking as well. I’m sure I will need it soon.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

I noticed a big difference in parking space size when I moved to Washington from Florida. They are quite a big narrower. I figured it was for all the retirees in Florida with their big sedans. Now, I drive a big sedan, lol. Still, the M60 is very maneuverable with the rear wheel steering. I’m glad for the remote parking as well. I’m sure I will need it soon.

The problem I had when I lived in Florida was the haters that would purposely key your car or open the doors and hit your car in a parking lot. Especially if you have a nice car and they don't. If I can't park away from people, I at least try to park in between 2 nice, newer cars.

Of course there was also a problem with people in beaters cutting you off and slamming on the brakes to try to get you to rear-end them, so they could sue.

[lilstevie]

I’ve had to use it about a half a dozen times in similar (but without the owner of the other car being anywhere near) situations. It’s one of those things that I thought was a bit of a gimmicky feature at first, but when you need it, you realise just how useful it is