How to Parallel Park a 95 Impala SS

Parallel parking is an important skill if you plan on stopping in a city like New York.

Parallel parking is considered to be one of the trickier maneuvers of conventional driving. Parallel parking with a four-door sedan like the 1995 Chevrolet Impala SS can be even more difficult than parallel parking a smaller vehicle and may require more space before attempting. The '95 Impala SS is an automatic, so shifting gears while parallel parking is simpler than using a car with a manual transmission. Parallel parking is generally used when parking on the side of the street next to a curb.

Instructions

1. Find a large enough space on the side of the road for you to safely begin to parallel park. If you do not feel like a space is big enough, drive until you find one you feel comfortable attempting to park in. The '95 Impala SS is a long car, and you should find a space several feet longer.

2. Check your mirrors before slowing down and signaling toward the space in which you wish to parallel park. If someone behind you starts coming too close as you begin parking, stay in your position next to the spot and continue signaling toward it.

3. Align your vehicle parallel and 2 or 3 feet away from the vehicle in front of the space you want to park in. Also be sure that your bumper is 2 or 3 feet behind the other vehicle. Be careful not to be so close that you could scrape the other vehicle.

4. Check if there is any traffic behind you, and turn your steering wheel all the way to the right. This will be the beginning of the "S" shaped turn you are about to execute in order to parallel park.

5. Move into the space by slowly releasing your brake, constantly checking in front of and around your car to be sure you will not hit the car you are parking behind. Stay far enough away from the rear bumper of the other car. Continue until the rear of your vehicle is mostly into the space. If you hit the curb, simply pull forward a few feet and begin the next step.

6. Move your steering wheel to the left as you begin to back fully into the space. Continue to check around your car, and be sure to not reverse so far that you hit the car behind you. Do so until you are completely within the space.

7. Shift your car into drive and move the steering wheel to the right, toward the curb. Pull forward and straighten out your vehicle so that you are parallel to and within a foot of the curb. Turn your wheels away from the curb before putting the car into park. If you find yourself in a position where you cannot straighten out your vehicle next to the curb, pull out of the space and try again from Step 1.

References

• DMV.org: How to Parallel Park
• The Auto Channel: Chevrolet Impala SS (1995)