Parking a car should be one of the easiest things to do as a driver, is it not? Not true.
Even though the fundamentals are the same as learning how to write (don’t go beyond the two lines), it still poses as one of the biggest challenges for both novice and experienced drivers. The proof? We have all seen it—people shaming bad parkers in social media. Photos with all sorts of infamy because you didn’t park in between the lines.
So, before your get your photos online and become infamous on Facebook, here is the 411 on better parking.
Different kinds of parking
Parallel. This type of parking is common on the street. The whole side of the car is parked against a curb or the side of the road. Vehicles are oriented in a straight line, one after the other, where your front bumper is facing the back bumper of the car in front.
Angle/diagonal parking. Cars are parked side by side, at an angle that makes it easier to come in and go out. This type of parking is common to spaces that have narrower (and usually one-way ) aisles.
Perpendicular. This type of parking is common at car parks because it parks more cars on the width of the space. Cars are oriented side by side and have to be maneuvered at an acute angle when coming in.
How-tos
Parallel parking
1) Check if you fit in the intended spot by parking alongside the space.
2) Align with the car in front of the space, putting a 1-meter allowance on the side; make sure that your rear wheel is aligned to his/her rear bumper.
3) Turn your steering wheel all the way to the direction you want to go to.
4) Release the gas pedal and start backing up.
5) When your car is on a 45-degree angle and your outside rear tail light is aligned to his outside front light, stop.
6) Turn the steering wheel all the way to the opposite direction.
7) Continue to reverse slowly until you are aligned with the curbing.
8) Adjust as needed.
Angle/diagonal/perpendicular parking
Front entry (easier to enter but difficult to get out)
Back-first entry (hard to get in, easy to get out)
1) Always align your car on the angle of the parking slot; never attempt to enter on the opposite of the grain during the front entry.
2) Center your car on the parking slot you want to get to.
3) Turn your steering wheel to the opposite direction until it locks.
4) Slowly move forward until you can see the parking lines on your side mirrors.
5) Center your vehicle on those lines, straighten your wheels, and slowly back up.
6) Adjust as needed.
To park facing the wall or back of the wall
In reality, malls or buildings ask you to park facing the wall because the dark smoke from your exhaust will ruin their paint job. But parking back first is not just an act of rebellion, it is actually a safety measure.
Parking back first can prevent you from going suicidal at the upper parking floors. I remember when I was still staying in a condo, one time we saw one car literally hanging for dear life from the building. The cause was not suicide, as there was no suicidal note, but of a heavy-footed driver that, instead of pressing the brake, floored the accelerator pedal.
This kind of parking also allows you to get out of the parking spot quickly, and not just depend on a bit of view of the incoming car and lots of ESP.
Other parking tips
1) Pregnant drivers can park on persons with disability (PWD) parking slots.
2) If your car does not have a parking camera, use the car (if it’s the same size as yours) beside you as benchmark. If your side mirror is more or less aligned, then you know that your car is not sticking out.
3) “Girls going to the toilet” rule does not apply when parking. Don’t join the group on one aisle waiting for parking space, or else you will be spending your whole day waiting.
4) When calling dibs on parking, place your vehicle behind the intended parking spot so no one can take it from you (or you can front end someone who tries—just kidding).
5) Check the intended space as you might not be able to open your door. That would be more hassle than walking a few steps.
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