HELP: I can't see nothing when I'm backing up the car....

[camrymafia]

Ive done a search for the past week trying to find a topic on this, but didnt find anything.

Except, some scattered posts of some people saying that they sometimes had issues when backing up and not seeing anything because of the slope of the trunk or problems seeing back.

I never had a problem with my other cars until I got my 09 camry. I seriously cant see nothing, and its awkward as hell trying to find the sweet spot of not hitting a car when reversing (such as in a parking lot). I got to get out of the car to make sure I aint hitting nothing.

Ive tried adjusting my driver seat, and I still cant judge the distance of my bumper backing up and potentially hitting a parked car. I thought it was just me, but my whole family has the same problem.

The only solutions I can think of are a rear-view-camera, which is a last resort for me, or some kind of backup sensor which is another last resort.


Any tips or tricks of the trade for you Gen6 camry owners?

Thanks.

[Yazovets]

You are not alone my friend. I also found that the Camry has terrible issues with visibility from within the cockpit.

Backwards, I absolutely cannot tell where the thing "ends." And also when turning, those windshield pillars are always in the way, and I can't see if pedestrians are crossing.

I can't solve the forward vision problem. However, for the rear, I had a dealer install Toyota's own "Park Pilot" 4-sensor backup system. We have a backup system on every single car in the family and it's an ESSENTIAL feature in my opinion.

I've been able to park quite "expertly" since installing that thing. Total cost was around $400 in my case.

Here are some pics of my install. As you see, they also place an OEM "defeat" switch. The system activates each time you put the car in R. But you can defeat the system by pressing that button. It re-activates the next time you put the car in R again.

[camrymafia]

yeah i would like to do that, but would a spoiler work?

not the OEM factory kind (already have that actually), but the raised spoiler

i think that might help judge distance hell of a lot better


bump^^

[whiteboy]

I think you just have to get used to it like any other car (this one might take longer) haha
when I drove less right when I got mine two years ago (gen 5 btw) I had the same problem since it's pretty big and the back is a little voluptuous but after a while you start to feel it, at least I did dunno

then again if you can get a backup system then more power to you, I would just rather spend that on something better but it's not a bad idea either way.

btw yazovetz they did a pretty good install, nice and clean

[islandboy57]

I ended up with reverse sensors on my gen 5.5. I drove it for a few weeks without it and it was fine, but it's safer and more convenient with sensors. I paid $300 installed from the local company who installs it for the major Toyota dealer in my area. Money well spent IMO.

[DrewsCam]

just learn how to drive the car, its not hard to do.
Or if park in spots where you can just pull straight out.

[smeg]

My 2000 Altima SE was *much* worse than the Camry, I don't find any problems with this one.

[scjrod]

Originally Posted by DrewsCam

just learn how to drive the car, its not hard to do.
Or if park in spots where you can just pull straight out.

[camry4lyfe02]

I work at GM dealership, and repark from 60 to 140 cars a day.. and imagine those new H3s or the H2s... lol.. you guys just have to learn how to park... no offense

[desentrix]

I still have trouble judging the rear bumper when reversing.

So i open the door, poke my head out, and line the back of the tire to whatever line i'm trying to meet.

[04camryle]

ive also found it hard to judge sometimes but i just use the side mirrors and always park perfectly the only thing im scared of is backing up and smashing the exhaust

[DrewsCam]

Originally Posted by camry4lyfe02

I work at GM dealership, and repark from 60 to 140 cars a day.. and imagine those new H3s or the H2s... lol.. you guys just have to learn how to park... no offense

H2 is easy to back up, the mirrors tilt down when in reverse, my boss used to have one

[Stevemr2t]

My 09 SE has a backup camera with a LCD display that appears in the rear view mirror when engaged. It's pretty cool

[GT-R]

I bumped my other Camry the other day when backing up, I didn't see the rear bumpers were already touching, and kept pushing. Good thing there is not a single dings on either bumpers.

So now what I do is, whenever I'm backing up, I go really slow, keep an eye on all mirrors, then when it gets closer, I open the door and stick my head out as far as I can, if I have to, I step outside to see how far is the car from the object behind it.

Now I got used to it, I can do reverse parking in 1 shot.

[bandit]

Originally Posted by Stevemr2t

My 09 SE has a backup camera with a LCD display that appears in the rear view mirror when engaged. It's pretty cool

But thats not from factory.