Anyone else find backing up difficult?

[IslandTractor]

When I first got my CX9 there were a number of "features" I needed to get used to. Now six months later most things like the nav and locking system etc are pretty second nature. However, I have never found backing up to be as comfortable as with other similar sized vehicles (ML320, Jeep GC, Nissan Pathfinder or even a Windstar minivan).

The issue for me is that I cannot see out the rear window anything closer than about ten feet away. I am not height challenged at 6'5". I do use the rear video monitor by necessity but find that the lens is often dirty or distorted from just water or road grime or even ice. The two mirrors are fine but obviously don't let you see directly behind the vehicle.

My last car was the ML and even though it had no rear monitor the seating position was higher and the rear window view as well as side rear view was simply easier to see/judge.

There are really very few things that I would change on the CX9 but improving backing and parking (front and back) views would be at the top of my list (well, maybe right after getting 30mpg highway). At the very least I'd want the rear view monitor mounted higher to give a better distance perspective and would also want some sort of water spray to keep the lens clean.

I note that there are some new technologies being introduced for exactly this purpose. I haven't seen one yet the but new Infiniti battlewagon F56 or whatever it's called has some sort of system that uses multiple cameras to give a full view around the vehicle depending on what gear you are in. That sounds more useful to me than the ultrasound beepers common on some other vehicles but even the beepers would be an improvement.

Anyone else thought about this?

 

[sjg]

I agree that the view out the rear is insufficient to safely and confidently back up. There is no way to see anything close or low to the ground. But I find that the rear view camera (even with the small image in the rear view mirror if you don't have Nav) is more than adequate to supplement the limited view.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Yeah it can be a bit challenging. The thing is though, I've found that I'm usually much father from obstructions than I think. Often I'll back-up to the point where I think I don't have enough room and realize I'm still a good 1-2 feet away from it. FWIW I have the same expierence in my Mz6; especially when judging distance with the front bumper. It does take some getting used to but I've owned 7 Mazdas and they all have the same trait, so maybe I'm just used to it. I guess it's a side effect of driving around in something that isn't boxy.

 

[DaddyD]

Agreed, backing up does take a stout heart. I swivel my head from mirror to mirror to back window like a Recon Marine walking point. (I don't have the camera.)
But as Antonio noted, you'll get used to it, and the fact that you have more room behind than you think you do is a relief.

 

[T.Narley]

If you think backing up the 9 is difficult, try it in my F150

 

[teedeebee]

... I swivel my head from mirror to mirror to back window like a Recon Marine walking point.

I love this visual...Semper Fi!

 

[ohmboy]

After driving a 1 ton bucket truck all day in traffic the 9 is a walk in the park. Now watch me go bash something the next time my wife lets me drive it!

 

[ceric]

No. I don't find backing up CX9 more difficult than I did in the Honda Odyssey, which was replaced by the CX9.
With the wide-angle backup camera, it is actually easier.

 

[knowaczark]

Agreed ohmboy!

Never had much trouble backing up as I learned early on to use my mirrors as much as possible. Comes in handy especially when backing backing up 24' box trucks.

I will admit it takes some time getting used to judging the remaining gap in the rear. Front nose can present a challenge early on as well.