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How to Parallel Park
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For those of us who still struggle with parallel parking, here's a ready reckoner for you to polish this most critical of skills behind the wheel
Let’s face it, parallel parking is really the bane of driving for most of us. it's a critical skill, especially in the cramped confines of inner city lanes. Although it's not really a very complicated process, a lot of us find it a task mainly because we don't get the basics right. but fret not, because if you follow this simple 4-step programme, you'll find that even getting into the tightest parallel parking spots can be a breeze
Step 1
When you find an appropriate parallel parking spot long enough to fit your car in (with a minimum two feet of clearance on either end of your car), don't be in a hurry and enter the spot nose first. Drive a little past the spot and when your car is almost parallel with the car ahead, stop.
Step 2
Put your car in reverse, turn the steering fully towards the kerb and slowly start backing up. You should be entering the parking spot tail first. Keep a close eye on the distance to the kerb in your side view mirror. When the tail end of your car is about 1-2 feet from the kerb, stop!
Step 3
Turn the steering fully in the opposite direction of the kerb and continue to reverse slowly. Now the nose of your car should start moving inside. Check your mirrors to ensure that your car's tail isn't going too close to the kerb and also check if your nose is clearing the car in front. If either of the two situations occur, you'll have to start all over again.
Step 4
When the tail of your car has come close enough to the car behind you (without hitting it, of course), stop, turn the steering completely in towards the kerb, slot into first gear and start moving forward. If you've judged distances right, your car will be parallel to the kerb before it comes too close to the car in front.
Finishing it off
Once your car is parallel to the kerb, straighten your steering wheel, select reverse and back up slowly. When the distance from your car to the car ahead and to the car behind is about equal, stop! This ensures that all cars will have enough room to exit the parking space easily. Voila! That's it! You've successfully parallel parked your car.
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Readers' opinions ( 15 )
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Brigukumar
Our country India is full of Anaady people, and there are so many who are also owners/ drivers of cars. While parallel parking, I have tried to signal drivers behind me to stop their cars to allow me to reverse and park my car in the slot before moving further, but these Anaaddies and stupidos DO NOT understand or pretend NOT to understand and keep coming behind me!!! The Best way is that IF you have a co-passenger, tell him/her to get out of the car and JUST STAND in front of the rear car, thus preventing that car from moving further - That's All.
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Guru
Parallel parking is quite simple. These instructions are for parking on the left side of the road for a Right Hand Drive Vehicle. Go parallel to the car in front of the space where you want to park. Start reversing until the B pillar (between the front and rear window) on the left is flush with the rear of the same car. Cut your steering anti-clockwise as far as you can and ease into the parking space. When the front of your car clears the same car, cut your steering wheel in the opposite direction completely until you are parallel to the curb. Straighten out the steering wheel and drive forward a bit you should be comfortably parked in the space. P.S. If you hear a scrunching sound while reversing into the spot, some idiot who was behind you decided to dive into the same slot front first when you were busy. That's not my fault.
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nilesh
Above mentioned is a tougher one , A very crude one which any reader can try while parallel parking , while taking the reverse , just ensure that you are able to see the left side light of the car behind your car ( In right hand steering countires like India ) in driver side's mirror , just start straighting your steering wheel and move back till u are parked .
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Arun
Cars when parked one behind the other, why is it called parallel park?
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JP
Parallel to the road.. not the car parked.
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Irshad
Its nice, but as some has said before educated people do most of the mistakes, here almost every driver is in hurry, seldom traffic is disciplined, cops are busy catching for not wearing helmets, if the cooling papers are removed etc., etc., it looks as if they are but not interested to regulate traffic and fine rash drivers.
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