'Savings on the reverse' a driving myth

[snopes]

Dear Tom and Ray:

When my grandma and grandpa visit and take me shopping at Wal-Mart, they try to "save on the reverse." Basically, they park way in the back of the lot in a spot where they won't have to go in reverse when they leave they can go forward and "pull through" because there's no car in front of them. But then we have to walk all the way to the doors, which usually is a far walk. They get mad when someone gets their spot. Is it worth the trouble of finding a spot and walking so that they can avoid putting the car in reverse? Will the transmission last longer if they pull through instead of having to reverse the car when they leave?

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbc...170334/-1/NEWS