How do we park a car?
Parking a car involves safely maneuvering your vehicle into a designated space. This process requires attention to your surroundings, understanding your car's dimensions, and using appropriate techniques based on the type of parking spot available.
A specific method for positioning your vehicle when preparing to pull into a parking space, such as in a parking lot, involves using your mirrors. As highlighted in parking tips for new drivers, you should use your driver's side mirror as a guide. When you pull up to a parking space you intend to use, align the front line of that space so it is approximately even with your driver's side mirror. This helps set up your car's position before you turn to enter the spot.
Beyond this initial positioning, the general steps for parking typically include:
- Selecting the Spot: Choose a parking space that is suitable for your vehicle and easily accessible.
- Signaling Your Intent: Use your turn signal to inform other drivers and pedestrians that you plan to park.
- Checking Surroundings: Before and during the maneuver, scan your mirrors, check blind spots, and look for any obstacles, people, or vehicles around your car.
- Executing the Maneuver:
- Perpendicular Parking (Pulling Forward): After aligning your driver's side mirror with the front line of the space, turn your steering wheel towards the space and slowly drive forward, adjusting your steering as needed to guide the car into the center of the spot.
- Parallel Parking: This technique involves pulling up alongside the vehicle parked in front of the desired space, backing into the spot at an angle, and then straightening the car parallel to the curb.
- Reverse Parking (into a spot): You may need to pull slightly past the spot and then back into it, turning the steering wheel as you reverse to guide the car correctly.
- Straightening the Vehicle: Once inside the parking space, make minor steering adjustments to ensure your car is centered and straight within the parking lines.
- Securing the Car: Put the transmission in "Park" (P), engage the parking brake (also known as the emergency brake), and turn off the engine.
Different types of parking require slightly different techniques, but the core principles of observation, slow speed, and precise steering remain constant.
Common Parking Types
| Parking Type | Description | Maneuver Type |
|---|---|---|
| Perpendicular | Parking at a 90-degree angle to a curb or wall | Pulling Forward/Reverse |
| Parallel | Parking alongside a curb, parallel to other vehicles | Reverse Required |
| Angled | Parking at an angle (e.g., 45 or 60 degrees) | Pulling Forward |
Practicing these steps and techniques in a safe, open area can significantly improve your parking skills.
