7 Steps to Parallel Parking Like a Pro | Luther Burnsville Hyundai

Visiting and working in the city can be a nightmare when it comes to parking. With limited parking, those pesky parallel spots always seem to be the only options. Don’t get stuck with a car full of friends, or worse clients, and have nowhere to park because you never mastered the art of parallel parking. With our seven steps to parallel parking, you will be a parking pro in no time.

Step 1

Half the battle of parallel parking is finding an open space. When you see an open space up ahead begin to slow down and turn on your right turn signal. Check to make the space is big enough. It should be a few feet longer than your vehicle. If you think the space is too small, move on and keep looking. It is better to be safe and take longer to find a space than to risk a crumpled bumper.

Step 2

Once you have found the perfect space check your rearview mirror and make sure no one is riding your tail. For the remainder of the steps we are going to refer to the vehicle to the front of yours as vehicle A and the vehicle to the back as vehicle B.

Step 3

Pull up parallel to vehicle A and keep your right blinker on. Make sure to leave 2-3 feet of space between you and vehicle A to avoid scraping the sides. Line up your rear bumper with the rear bumper of vehicle A.

Step 4

Hold your foot on the brake and put your vehicle in reverse. Then without removing your foot from the brake, turn your steering wheel as far right as it will go.

Step 5

Very slowly begin to release the brake pedal allowing the vehicle to begin backing up into the space. There are several methods you can use to know when to move onto the next step. When (1) your left bumper is aligned with vehicle B’s left bumper, (2) the front right corner of vehicle B is in the middle of your vehicle’s rear window, or (3) you can See vehicle B’s front license plate in your rearview mirror rearview, it is safe to move onto step 6.

Step 6

Begin turning your steering wheel to the left as you continue to reverse into the space. Be careful to watch vehicle B in your rearview mirror or out the rear window to measure the distance and avoid hitting your rear bumper.

Step 7

You may be able to stop after step 6, but if your vehicle needs a little more adjusting, shift it into drive and turn the steering wheel slightly to the right again centering your vehicle and making sure your wheels are no more that 18 inches away from the curb. Ta-da! You did it! Now you are a parallel parking pro.