Parallel Parking with Ease
Parallel Parking with Ease
Parallel parking is a manuever often used in urban areas that situates one's vehicle directly behind another. Most often it is employed as a means of parking an automobile curbside and is very effective in maximizing limited space. Technically speaking, there's nothing inordinately difficult about parallel parking, but, in real world terms, it's a process that can often make even the savviest of drivers slightly nervous. Following a simple step-by-step guildeline to parallel parking is the best way to streamline your experience as well as eliminate stress and, more importantly, vehicular damage.
The first step in this process is actually finding a parallel parking spot that suits your vehicle. Generally, you want to look for a space that's as long as your car plus 3 or 4 added feet (more if you're a beginner). You also want to make sure that parking is allowed in your desired spot, as driveways and fire zones are often found unnervingly close to parallel parking regions.
Once you've spied a parallel parking spot that appears legal and of decent size, pull up to the car directly in front of the spot you wish to occupy. You should be as close as possible to the aforementioned vehicle, and both pairs of front tires should be aligned. At this point, immediately turn on your right turn signal (to indicate to other drivers that you are parking), and put your vehicle in reverse. Cocking your head to the right for a parking visual, slowly drive your car in reverse just until your front tires are aligned with the rear tires of the vehicle to your right.
For your next move, turn your steering wheel all the way to right and continue your reverse. Your vehicle should respond by angling itself approximately 45 degrees to curb. Continue this reverse until the front door of your car is in line with the front vehicle's bumper. Also note that at this point that your vehicle's rear bumper should be fairly close to the curb. Now, turn the steering wheel all the way to left and slowly continue the reverse. You will want to begin surveying behind you as you will be coming into close contact with the rear vehicle flanking your parking spot. Keep the steering wheel at a complete left turn until your vehicle is as close as possible to the rear vehicle's front bumper. If this mechanism makes you uneasy, have one of your passengers guide your reverse at the curb to indicate when your car has reached it's appropriate stopping point.
Now, as a means of straightening your vehicle's position and completing the manuever, switch into the driving gear and turn the steering wheel to the right until your driving direction is fairly straight. Slowly drive forward just until your car is situated about midway between the rear and forward lying vehicles. Place your car in park. As a general guideline, your vehicle should lie no more than 6 to 8 inches from the curb and should leave enough space for both your front and rear flanking vehicles to exit. Note your parking spot for future reference and be sure to lock your vehicle.
Although parallel parking is a multi-step process and does bring a driver in very close proximity with other vehicles, the key to nailing the mechanism is confidence. Practice the steps in a quiet area, and start by parking in front of or behind a single vehicle. Once you are comfortable with this mechanism, you can move on to parallel parking with two vehicles. Remember that parallel parking is a skill, and like any other skill, repetition is key. Practicing this technique and working from your own comfort level will eventually allow you to park in even the busiest of urban settings with ease.
