How to Parallel Park

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Introduction

Learning how to parallel park can be a tough task at first, in fact some people never bother to learn the proper technique and always struggle to park in between two cars. Living in a big city where parking is scarce, parallel parking skills are a must. Practice with no obstacles first, then with plenty of space between vehicles. Take it slowly and you'll develop the skill and confidence to parallel park.

By: eHow Cars Editor

Length: 1:21

Comments: 29

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Instructions

Text Size: +
Difficulty: Moderate

Tips & Warnings:

  • Go slowly.
  • If you aren't sure whether you'll fit in the space, pull up beside it and size it up first.
  • If it's a tight fit, get a passenger or a passing pedestrian to guide you.
  • Many cities will issue a citation for vehicles parked more than 18 inches from the curb.

Step1
Use your turn signal to indicate the direction of the parking spot.
Step2
If the space is not yet vacant but the car in it is about to leave, wait behind the spot.
Step3
When the space is vacant, pull ahead of it until you have pulled up beside the car parked in front of the space. Your rear bumper should be even with that car's rear bumper with about 2 feet of road between you.
Step4
Put the car in reverse. Begin to back up slowly; as soon as the car starts moving, turn the wheel as far as it will go toward the curb.
Step5
Back slowly into the space.
Step6
When the back of your car's front door is even with the rear bumper of the car beside you, begin turning the wheel away from the curb.
Step7
Continue turning the wheel away from the curb and backing slowly into the space.
Step8
Straighten out the wheel, then pull forward or back in the space as needed to center yourself between the cars in front of and behind you. Your car should be 6 to 8 inches from the curb when you are parked.

Comments

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Diablo2 said

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on 10/18/2007 Great article and video. Thanks a lot

abigail said

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on 5/21/2007 Love the video!

A tip: If you are parking in front of store windows you can look at the reflection of your car in the window to see how close you are to the car behind you when you're backing up. This can be a big help if the spot is a tight fit!

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on 5/18/2007 This is exactly what I needed!

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on 5/18/2007 get a Lexus that will park it for you!

RoseyP said

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on 5/18/2007 Thanks for the help and for not complicating the instructions with 'left' and 'right'. Such terms would have been confusing when readers (and writers) come from lots of different countries.

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eHow Article:  How to Parallel Park

eHow Cars Editor

eHow Cars Editor

Category: Cars

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