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The key to parallel parking is to make sure your car can fit in the
spot before you spend fifteen embarrassing minutes tapping the bumpers
of the cars in front of and behind you. After a little practice you
will
be able to judge just by looking at a spot. Once you're sure your car
will fit, indicate your intention to park by activating your turn
signal. |
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Pull up next to the car in front of the space you want. Try to leave
about three feet of room between you and parked car. If you hear
scraping metal, you're too close. |
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Line up your back tires with the parked car's rear bumper.
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Put the car in reverse, and turn the wheel all the way to the right.
It may feel like you're turning the wheel too much, but that's just
part
of the magic of parallel parking. |
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Back up slowly--the "slowly" is important unless you want an abrupt
introduction to the curb. Stop when you are at a 45° angle from the
curb. |
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Turn the wheels all the way to the left. |
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Slowly back up again until you are parallel with the curb. Done
properly, this maneuver should place you less than 12" from the curb.
If
you can see the curb from the driver's seat you're too far from it. |
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Stop and pull forward a bit to center your car in the space. Be
sure
to leave the cars in front of and behind you enough space to get out.
Otherwise they may leave an unfriendly note reminding you of this.
Don't
be frustrated if you have trouble at first. Even pros need a couple of
tries to get into certain spots. And when in doubt there's one word you
need to remember: valet. |
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| When you first start backing into the spot, crank the wheel the other
way at the point at which your front wheels are lined up with the front
car's back wheels. It works. Except when a line of cars is honking at
you to get past. |
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Sara Rolling
Vancouver, WA |
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Be careful when you're parking in a spot that is just around a corner.
Traffic turning onto that street may not see you in the lane, and make
the turn expecting the street to be open...and possibly hit you. If it
is a busy traffic time and you must block the lane to wait for a space,
it's probably not a good spot, and could be hazardous; think about
finding another space. |
Norman Wilborn
Hayward, WI |
Have a tip? E-mail it to us! |
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