Have you ever found the perfect parking space yet turned it down because you’d have to parallel park? If you have, you’re not alone. Many drivers find this type of parking difficult. As your Acura dealer, we’re going to show you the easy steps to master this type of parking in no time.
Advice From Your Acura Dealer: 5 Easy Steps to Parallel Park Your Acura
Before You Start
This type of parking, like learning any new skill, becomes easier, smoother, and quicker with practice. If you feel at any time that your reverse angle is wrong or you’re too close to the vehicle in front, don’t be afraid to stop. Reposition your car, and start the process again. Every driver, at one time or another, found this way of parking difficult.
Get in Position
When you’ve found the parking space you want, drive forward so your Acura is parallel to the vehicle in front of the space. Check to see if there’s at least three feet of space between your passenger side and the driver’s side of the other vehicle. This will ensure that you don’t bump the parked vehicle when you reverse. Once you’re positioned correctly, check your mirrors to ensure there are no moving vehicles behind you.
Reverse Slowly
Slip your Acura into reverse, and start to turn your steering wheel to the right. When you do this, your wheels will automatically turn toward the curb, and your car will move into the parking space. Reverse slowly, and be sure to watch through your windshield and check your mirrors. You don’t want to hit either the vehicle in front of the space or the one behind the parking space.
You should now be moving into parking at a 45-degree angle. When your front bumper passes the rear bumper of the car in front, you’re ready for the next step.
Turn to the Left
Slowly turn the wheel to the left as you continue to reverse. This movement will bring your Acura into the parking space and straighten your wheels at the same time. Your car should now be inside the space. You’ll usually find there is a larger gap in front of your car than behind it.
Center Your Car
Straighten your steering wheel, shift your transmission into drive, and slowly move forward in the parking space. Once your car is positioned in the center of the parking space, shift your transmission into park and switch off your engine. You’ve now successfully parked parallel to the curb.
Now you know how to park parallel to the curb, you’ve learned a skill that will benefit you for many years to come. If you’d like to know more, visit us at Open Road Acura of East Brunswick in East Brunswick, NJ.
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