Proper car parking - here's how it works

Parking a car is a nightmare for many drivers. The suddenly otherwise obedient car no longer wants to obey the driver. Everything suddenly seems much closer; everything seems confusing and maneuvering becomes a pain. But don't worry. Proper parking is always manageable if you follow a few rules of thumb and mottos. Read this article to learn how to properly park your car in any parking space.

parking problem

What's wrong with parking? The concerns and reservations about this maneuver should be taken seriously. Maneuvering a car slowly is an art that needs to be learned and takes a lot of practice.

But no matter how preoccupied you are with the task, you one thing should always be remembered: cars are built so you can park them and there are no exceptions. Therefore: drop your fear and stick to the rules point by point. In a short time, this maneuver will work so well that anyone can become a parking pro..

Retrofitting of parking facilities

Parking sensors reversing and rear view cameras very helpful. Especially people who have big problems with parking should retrofit these functions for your car . They are available as accessories for very little money and can be installed in just a few steps.

Preparation: Adjusting the rear-view mirror and ensuring visibility

When parking you have to see everywhere.

So prepare your car as follows: – Right exterior mirror: still look at the edge of the vehicle from the side, align it straight ahead. – Left exterior mirror: the left rear wheel must be visible at the edge. – Interior mirror: straight rear. – Free view to the rear window.

Properly adjusted mirrors are essential for successful parking.

Parking ahead

Parking ahead just seems especially easy .

Because if you drive into a parking space forward, you will have to back out again.

• In addition, there are additional difficulties associated with the need monitor cross traffic .

However, there are situation , in which forward parking is inevitable .

• On parking pockets adjacent to houses , there are often signs saying that you should only park forward. This is done so that exhaust gases do not enter the windows of the people inside.

Front parking is especially easy .

• It is important here drive straight and into the center of the parking space.
• The car must be parked in this way so that there is the same distance to the left and right of the parking space boundary strips. In this way, you can easily get out of the car yourself - and do not clutter up neighboring parking spaces.

Reverse parking in parking pockets

The advantage of reverse parking in parking pockets is that that you can get ahead again. You have a great view of the cross traffic. To park in reverse, you only need the outside rear-view mirrors.

This is where the maxim comes into play:“Outside mirrors you can rely on!”

Relevant curbs must be clearly visible in mirrors.

Everything else here is the same as when parking forward: keep the car straight and put it in the middle - everything .

If you don't succeed on the first try , use the following trick: pull the car straight out of the parking space and then maneuver straight back again .

Highest discipline: back to the side parking space

Parking in reverse to a side parking space is the most difficult parking maneuver.

At the same time this is the easiest option if you follow the rules. You don't even need modern additional electronic features.

Proper parking works like this:

1. Starting point: Your right outside mirror should be to the left of the front car's outside mirror and kept at a distance of half a meter. 2. Slowly let the car back up and look around. 3. When the center pillar ( roof center pillar ) of the vehicle is parallel to the rear of the front vehicle, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. 4. When the right inner door handle is parallel to the rear of the front vehicle ( or the vehicle is at a 45° angle in a parking space ), turn the steering wheel all the way to the left. 5. When the left front wheel is in the parking space, turn the steering wheel straight ahead. 6. Drive up to the front car. 7. Go back straight and make sure there is enough space for everyone - done.

Mistakes to avoid

• You should never try park forward in a narrow side parking space.
  This either fails or takes a very long time.
• The longer you maneuver back and forth , the higher the risk of collision.
  It doesn't have to be nearby vehicles . Boundary posts or border can also cause costly damage if they come into contact.

Practice makes perfect

You can practice parking with a few simple tools.

You will need the following:
– about 10 boxes for carrying,
- something to make them heavier,
- a place where you can safely practice.

Good places to practice are, for example, the car parks of DIY shops on Sunday afternoons.

• Drawers set . They imitate the walls of houses or other parked cars. Then they are hung with stones, bottles or something else that is at hand. So they can't fly away.
• Now  feel free to practice every parking maneuver in almost real conditions. Collisions with cardboard boxes are completely safe for the car. Thus, there is practically nothing you can do wrong.
• Then practice, practice, practice until every move and every look is right. It's best to do it yourself. Thus, you can focus on learning and not be afraid of demotivating comments.

After all, everyone can recover from parking panic and become a parking champion.