Setting Expectations?

[Ty]

Let's face it. We're talking about the type of brain dead clowns that fall into indoor fountains in malls 'cause they're too busy texting while walking. Ya can't fix stupid.

Who was it that said "If you are going to be stupid, you've got to be tough"?

 

[NSTG8R]

Getting a little back on topic. One thing I expect to experience when driving my Elio will be in backing up. No, the lack of a rear view mirror doesn't matter. Any real backerupper (correct term) can back up using only the side mirrors and if you've ever backed a big trailer, you have to use the side mirrors anyway. Okay, back on point.

When backing up, even using the side mirrors, you line up the side of the vehicle. Now, I can get my truck into a spot by splitting the difference between the rear tires and the white lines. I suspect that if I try to line up the Elio, I'll be at a slant... sort of like backing a triangle (the tires form a triangle) while keeping one side flush with a white line. There will be a little learning curve as I learn to center that back end.

Another thing on backing... I wonder how many people will back up and catch the front left wheel assembly on an obstruction.

I can't see the front bumper of my car, but I don't run into stuff. I think that within 15 minutes of driving the Elio, your brain will build a mental picture of the extents and adjust accordingly.

 

[Ty]

I can't see the front bumper of my car, but I don't run into stuff. I think that within 15 minutes of driving the Elio, your brain will build a mental picture of the extents and adjust accordingly.

Yeah, you are probably right though after driving my truck for 3 years, I was backing up close to a pole on the right side and watching the mirror carefully to ensure my rear didn't hit the back pole (carport of the in-laws) when my mirror hit the pole. It wasn't hard and didn't even break the glass but I could see someone in the Elio concentrating on that rear end in a mirror and dragging that front tire over or against something.

 

[NSTG8R]

Yeah, you are probably right though after driving my truck for 3 years, I was backing up close to a pole on the right side and watching the mirror carefully to ensure my rear didn't hit the back pole (carport of the in-laws) when my mirror hit the pole. It wasn't hard and didn't even break the glass but I could see someone in the Elio concentrating on that rear end in a mirror and dragging that front tire over or against something.

Yep, it's possible. But I bet you'd only do it once.

 

[WilliamH]

Yeah, you are probably right though after driving my truck for 3 years, I was backing up close to a pole on the right side and watching the mirror carefully to ensure my rear didn't hit the back pole (carport of the in-laws) when my mirror hit the pole. It wasn't hard and didn't even break the glass but I could see someone in the Elio concentrating on that rear end in a mirror and dragging that front tire over or against something.

Life is a learning curve.

 

[BearLakeSteve]

OK, this discussion has me interested in how it will be to back up an Elio. In a four wheeled car, the proper way is to turn your body to the right and look out the back window. I never have liked trying to back up using the mirrors. Has anyone seen video of an Elio backing up? What's the best strategy with no back window? Will I be able to look out the right or left side windows?

 

[Ty]

OK, this discussion has me interested in how it will be to back up an Elio. In a four wheeled car, the proper way is to turn your body to the right and look out the back window. I never have liked trying to back up using the mirrors. Has anyone seen video of an Elio backing up? What's the best strategy with no back window? Will I be able to look out the right or left side windows?

I think the proper way is to use the outside mirrors. Many vehicles have limited or no visibility out the back window. You will, of course, be able to simply tilt your head to the left or right and look right out the windows.

 

[Sethodine]

OK, this discussion has me interested in how it will be to back up an Elio. In a four wheeled car, the proper way is to turn your body to the right and look out the back window. I never have liked trying to back up using the mirrors. Has anyone seen video of an Elio backing up? What's the best strategy with no back window? Will I be able to look out the right or left side windows?

Sure, you could lean out of either side window. But sitting in the P4 last year I didn't have any problem at all with seeing behind me through the side mirrors.

And remember: the rear of the Elio is barley wider than your shoulders. It's a lot more narrow than a four-wheeled car, so it will be much more difficult to hit something behind. So combined with the great side mirror coverage, I don't see it being all that difficult at all to back up.

But if you're really concerned, they do have back up sensors as an option! And there will be an independent back-up camera system apart from Skyz (or so they say). Or you can add your own (my route).

 

[skygazer6033]

Been driving for over 50 years and I've never used anything but the side mirrors to back any vehicle. Taught my wife and kids to do the same. The theory is sooner or later you might be called upon to drive a big truck or van that has no rear view at all. If you're already used to backing with the side mirrors it's no big deal.

 

[Frim]

Sure, you could lean out of either side window. But sitting in the P4 last year I didn't have any problem at all with seeing behind me through the side mirrors.

And remember: the rear of the Elio is barley wider than your shoulders. It's a lot more narrow than a four-wheeled car, so it will be much more difficult to hit something behind. So combined with the great side mirror coverage, I don't see it being all that difficult at all to back up.

But if you're really concerned, they do have back up sensors as an option! And there will be an independent back-up camera system apart from Skyz (or so they say). Or you can add your own (my route).

At my home this year, in my driveway, my daughter backed into my Subaru and I backed into the trash truck.
Don't ask, I don't know. I just looked into the wrong mirror. I will install backup cameras before my wife backs into something. I didn't know they were so cheap until I read this blog.
.
In fact, the National Safety Council estimates that 25 percent of accidents can be blamed on poor backing techniques.