Parking a car in a parking lot can be quite challenging, especially for someone who is just learning to drive. At times, the situation becomes more difficult because the parking area is narrow and the parking lot is very crowded. There are three types of parking areas in the parking lot, namely sloping, perpendicular, and parallel parking. You have to master all these ways of parking in order to pass your driving test or drive a car on the highway. This article will discuss how to park a car in a different parking area.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Parking the Car at an Inclined Parking Area
Step 1. Find a parking area where there are not many cars
It will be easier if you practice parking where there are not many obstacles.
- Find a parking space that is not too crowded to practice.
- You can make mistakes while learning to park a car.
- You won't hit anything if you practice parking in an area where there are no cars.
- This idea is not only good for people who are just learning to drive. If you haven't been driving in a while, it's a good idea to practice parking and driving a little before traveling long distances.
Step 2. Determine the exact position of your car
You must be able to park the car in the right place, away from other cars and the right distance from your place so that you can still turn the steering wheel correctly.
- Make sure there is still a distance of 1.5-2 meters between your car and other vehicles that are parked next to you.
- If there are no vehicles parked next to your parking area, try to estimate a distance of 1.5-2 meters from this parking lot.
- This is so that if you want to park, you can measure the exact distance before turning the steering wheel properly.
Step 3. Turn on the turn signal when you have got a parking area
This way, other drivers know that you are going to park the car.
- Continue slowly until you see the center of the parking area that you will use.
- Be careful of other drivers. Do not occupy a parking area that is being occupied by other people.
- Make sure none of the drivers want to reverse the car as you move forward.
Step 4. Turn the steering wheel sharply
Turn the steering wheel when you see the center of your parking area.
- Make sure there is still 1.5-2 meters from other cars or an empty parking area when you start turning.
- You have to turn the steering wheel about half a turn.
- Make sure there are no cars or other objects in your area.
- Advance slowly to your parking area. Stop when your car is parked properly.
- Make sure your car is in the right place so as not to block other vehicles that want to pass.
Step 5. Re-align your steering wheel
You can straighten the steering wheel if the car has stopped.
- You have to make sure that the steering wheel of your car is straight in order to be able to reverse with a straight car position.
- You can also straighten the steering wheel just before reversing the car.
- However, it is a good habit when you park the car.
Method 2 of 3: Park the Car in an Upright Position
Step 1. Determine the position of your car
Your car must be far enough away from other cars to turn into your parking area.
- Make sure your car is at least 2.5 meters away from other cars parked on the driver's or passenger's side.
- This distance depends on which side you want to park the car, on the left or right of your car.
- If there are no other cars parked near you, try to estimate a distance of 2.5 meters from where you want to park your car.
- Do not park the car where other drivers are already waiting.
Step 2. Turn on your turn signal
This sign will let other drivers know that you will be parking in an empty area.
- Look closely for shopping carts, pedestrians, or other obstructions.
- Move forward slowly.
- Continue forward until the front bumper of your car passes the taillights of a car parked next to your parking area.
Step 3. Turn the steering wheel sharply
You'll have to turn your steering wheel more than if you parked on an incline.
- Start turning the steering wheel sharply as soon as your front bumper passes the taillights of a car parked next to your parking area.
- Move forward slowly.
- Make sure there are no grocery carts, debris, or other objects in the parking area you want to enter.
Step 4. Enter the parking area
Park your car until the front is at the back of the parking area and the back of your car is in the parking area.
- The best way to park perpendicular is to align your rearview mirror with the car beside you.
- Make sure the front bumper of your car is close to the parking area barrier in front of you.
- Check to make sure that the side of your car is not directly above the dividing line of your parking area.
Step 5. Straighten your steering wheel
Straighten the steering wheel once your car is parked neatly in the parking area.
- The steering wheel has to be straightened if you want to get out of your parking lot.
- You can also do this as you leave your parking lot before starting to back up.
- However, it's a good habit to do right after parking.
Method 3 of 3: Parking the Car in Parallel Position
Step 1. Find an empty parking area
You have to find a comfortable parking space for your car without crashing into the car in front or behind you.
- There is a parking lot with parallel parking areas. These parking lots are usually marked with a white line, so it's easier to park here than on the highway.
- If necessary, keep looking until you find a large enough parking area.
- You should find a parking area that is a few meters longer than your car.
- Easier to park in a bigger area.
Step 2. Check through your rearview mirror
Do this to ensure the parking area you will occupy.
- Make sure no other car is following you from behind.
- Turn on the turn signal when it's close, slow down your car, then stop.
- If another driver is following right behind you, stay where you are. Open the window and signal him to look elsewhere, if possible.
Step 3. Align your car
You must position the car so that it is parallel to the car in front of your parking area with a distance of at least 60 cm beside your car.
- Don't get too close or too far from the car beside you. If you get too close, a parked car can be hit when you back out into the parking area.
- Keep a distance of 60 cm from other cars.
- Align the bumper of your car with another car or keep a distance of 60-90cm behind it.
Step 4. Back up your car
Now you have to back the car to the parking area.
- Check the driver's side mirror to make sure that the road behind you is empty.
- Also look on the other side to check your parking area.
- Backtrack until your bumper is 1-1.2 meters behind the car parked beside you.
Step 5. Release the handbrake and turn the steering wheel to the right until it runs out of rotation
Backtrack slowly to your parking area.
- Check as often as possible by looking ahead and around your car. Make sure no cars or pedestrians pass in your lane.
- Keep a distance of 60-90 cm between the side of your car and the car in front of you so you don't get hit.
- Use the rearview mirror to estimate the distance between the rear bumper of your car and the car behind you.
- If it hits the pavement, it means you've gone too far back. Shift your car into forward gear, then move forward a little.
Step 6. Turn the steering wheel to the left
You should turn the steering wheel to the left if your front bumper is already next to the rear bumper of the car in front of you.
- You should still remain in the reverse position.
- Keep going back as long as you can.
- Look forward and sideways to make sure you don't hit the car in front of you.
- Don't hit the bumper of the car behind you.
- Look through the rear window to check how far the car behind you is from your rear bumper. Or use the side and center mirrors to help you.
Step 7. Shift into forward gear
The position of your vehicle is now parked properly in the parking area.
- Turn the steering wheel back right.
- Move slowly toward the curb while straightening your car.
- Use the side mirror to check the distance your car is from the pavement. Your car must be at least 30 cm away from the sidewalk after you have parked.
- Now you are done parking your car.
Tips
- Learn how to parallel park once you can easily park your car in a regular parking area. Start learning to park your car using a cone instead of using another car as a barrier with the parking area next to it that you will fill.
- While still learning, it might be better if you start studying in an empty parking area.
- Control the speed of your car. Not too fast!
- Start with a small car and then try to practice parking a bigger car as you get more advanced.
