[ScottMZ3]

Only had the ZL1 a couple days (most amazing car I have ever driven, hands down)...however its taking a little getting used to parking the car. The ZL1's hood is much longer, wider, and higher than the BMWs I have been driving and I don't want to take any chances hitting that splitter on a curb (I classify curbs in the same category as the plague)! So last night I had my wife stand right up against the front of the car after I pulled in the garage. That way I could get a visual of just how far out there the hood went.

Well I discovered something pretty darn cool! The distance that the HUD appears to be out in front of the windshield ended up being EXACTLY where the front of the car is! So you can actually use the HUD as a gauge for parking! Used it that way today and it worked like a charm!

Maybe the engineers intended it to be that way? Perhaps its common knowledge? In any case it was news to me and I find it VERY useful!! Hope it helps some of you out there as well.

[Thirty3]

Or just back into spots...but your find sounds helpful too!

[ScottMZ3]

Originally Posted by Thirty3

Or just back into spots...but your find sounds helpful too!

LOL...yeah that too.

[Jmueller]

But you can move the HUD up and down. Would that not change your visual reference? The obvious response to this question is: "don't move the HUD." But I would forever be fearful that the HUD got moved. Once you drive the car enough, you can place the front of the car when your parking. I tend to back into spots though.

[JeromeS13]

Originally Posted by Jmueller

But you can move the HUD up and down. Would that not change your visual reference? The obvious response to this question is: "don't move the HUD." But I would forever be fearful that the HUD got moved. Once you drive the car enough, you can place the front of the car when your parking. I tend to back into spots though.

Yes, moving the HUD and/or your seat changes this point of reference. However, that works in your advantage once you get both in your preferred locations.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by ScottMZ3

...Maybe the engineers intended it to be that way? ....

It's probable. They were able to put the focal length anywhere they chose. Having it way off in the distance isn't great because you'd focus on that instead of the road. Having it at the nose of the car means you still have to adjust your eyes focal distance, but not as much as the cluster, so it's marginally quicker to view. It's also convenient for knowing where the nose is. Win/win.

[Sven59]

I back in and lower the mirror if there is a curb along the side.

[Smuuth]

Originally Posted by Sven59

I back in and lower the mirror if there is a curb along the side.

As do I - I have the mirrors set to lower the angle when in reverse.

[WhiteBoy18]

Good info, I'll have to try it out! Also you can wire up a front camera for about $60 if you want to eliminate the guessing game.

[utsteve98]

These cars were designed to be backed in.

[WhyUMad1LE]

Parking would be a lot easier with a front camera like what's available on the Vette and ATS. However in the absence of that, this sounds like a good barometer so I will try it out.