How to parallel-park your precious car in 6 easy steps
We’re closing the month of International Women’s Day by giving you this simple guide to parallel-parking. Okay, before our gorgeous female readers cry foul and accuse us of sexism, let us clarify: We are not saying women are bad drivers; we’re simply acknowledging the requests that we have been getting from several lady drivers for an easy-to-understand piece on this most challenging of driving maneuvers.
True, there are men who also suck at parallel-parking, and there are girls who are very good at it. However, we think it’s still safe to say that generally speaking, there are more female drivers–at least by percentage–who are in need of a parallel-parking lesson. So here it is.
Full disclosure: This is simply an adaptation of an illustration we found online. We just couldn’t find the original source of said image, hence the lack of attribution. Big props to whoever made it.
Scroll down now.
1. Position your car parallel to the vehicle in front of the empty space, with about a 2ft space between your car and the vehicle. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right if the parking space is on your right, or all the way to the left if the parking space is on your left.
2. Slowly back up until your car is positioned in a 45-degree angle with the front bumper of the vehicle behind the empty space. A tip for making sure you have the right angle is if you can see in your side mirror the license plate of the vehicle behind the empty space.
3. Once you’ve positioned your car in the aforementioned 45-degree angle, turn the steering wheel to straighten the front wheels. Then slowly back up again.
4. You can stop backing up when your front bumper corner is already level with the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of the empty space.
5. With your car now stopped, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left if the parking space is on your right, or all the way to the right if the parking space is on your left. This is to slot your car into the empty space.
6. Carefully back up and adjust as needed. You have now successfully parallel-parked your car. Congratulations.
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