Parallel parking -- I just don't get it!!!

[delfin]

I've been driving for over 20 years, and I still have trouble parallel parking! Now I'm driving a big Honda Pilot and forget it. Tried to park this am, and I'm hitting the curb, drivers behind me are beeping and cursing, finally I just gave up. Is there a secret to this, or am I destined to be parallel parking-challenged my whole life???x(

 

[purple_magada]

Ha - you sound like me. When I had my Explorer, if I had to go somewhere where I needed to parallel park I would drive circles until I found an easy spot to get into. Didn't matter if there was a spot right in front of where I was going. I'd park 10 blocks away if need be. It makes me nervous and I always think that other drivers are looking at me. I have an Accord now so it is a bit easier. ;-)

 

[allwildgirl]

Here ya go! It took me forever to figure it out too, but I think if you find somewhere quiet and practice, you'll get it.

http://www.ehow.com/how_1872_parallel-park.html

 

[40something]

Practice-Practice-Practice ladies!!

I drive a Suburban and two of the small towns around us only have parallel parking on their main streets so I've had to learn to get really good at it out of necessity!

 

[red_mct]

The trick is to pull about halfway up the car in front of you, and then ease into the spot. It's not difficult; it's just a matter of getting the right angle.

Good luck, ladies!!

Marie

 

[akizora]

You think that's bad--I can't park at 90 degrees! I always get too close to one of the cars. I don't feel too bad about it though, as every guy I've ever dated would have me feel. After all, the true incompetence lies in those who chose to design a parking lot where all of the spaces are at 90 degrees, instead of 45 degrees, which is much safer in terms of seeing if someone is behind you when you are backing up. :+

 

[kathryn]

I never parallel park unless there are two spaces back-to-back for me to manoeuvre in!

 

[twosquared]

>I've been driving for over 20 years, and I still have trouble
>parallel parking! Now I'm driving a big Honda Pilot and
>forget it. Tried to park this am, and I'm hitting the curb,
>drivers behind me are beeping and cursing, finally I just gave
>up. Is there a secret to this, or am I destined to be
>parallel parking-challenged my whole life???x(

Since moving to the suburbs over 10 years ago, my parallel parking is not what it used to be. But when I am having a tough time with a parallel park, I will angle down my right side view mirror - power of course - until it is fixed so I see the curb and back tires and then use this as a guide. Practice first in front of your house. This has helped me with some really tight spots.

Good luck :+

 

[andtckrtoo]

I cannot parallel park my Envoy or my old Denali to save my life. Now I have a Mini and all I have to do blow on it and it moves right into place :+ (seriously, though - because it's soo little it's very easy to parallel park)

 

[sparrow]

I've never even tried to parallel park. I can barely reverse without causing a scene. It drives DH crazy when I go round and round looking for another place to park, but I tell him I've lived with my brain for 37 years and I know what it can and cannot process!!

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage

 

[tigerb8]

I may not be good at alot of things but I am da bomb at parallel parking. Too bad I can't get paid for it huh? DH always praises by ability to parallel park cuz he's not so good at it.

I remember when I was learning in drivers ed and I was told to pull up along side the car in front of the spot I was going to back into. I was about 1 inch away from the car. I was so nervous. I just knew I was going to scrape down the side of that car. I asked the drivers ed teacher to take over. He wouldn't and talked me through it. I managed to parallel park without hitting the car but I was soaking wet with sweat by the time I pulled away from the curb. Maybe that's why I can do it today.

The more you do it, the better you'll get. It's better to practice where there is little to no traffic. Only because it will take the pressure off of you.

Good luck!
Tracy

 

[saia11]

The best thing my mom did to teach me this was to take me to a big empty parking lot where there are two double rows of 90 degree spaces touching each other (think center of the lot). You pull forward into the first one, then parallel park into the space diagonally behind you. Then pull forward into the space in front of you and repeat, over and over, and over again. That's why the big empty parking lot works so well. That and there is absolutely no pressure, but there are lines, so you can gauge your improvement. After you feel totally comfortable doing this you can take it to the streets.
Best of luck,
Mattea