Parking help.

Jamie-b

How do you parallel park?
Reverse in or come in from behind? What gear should I be in? How do I go really slow- clutch only? My accompanying driver said no you must accelerate and only let clutch out a bit.

ha-ya-said-what

Me I was told to drive half a car length ahead of the car infront, take observations, into reverse turning slightly, when the front of the car was at a 45 degree angle with the front sticking out (wing mirror pointing at the back end/ front coner of the car infront of you sometimes used as a marker) turn more other direction and ease the car into place while taking observation at all time. Mind you I ent had a go in ages at it & I was good at it so I may have it a bit wrong there!

An instructor can show you all the tricks for instance when such a part of the car to the side of you appears in you back fly window start turning and all that, there is loads of little tricks for everything they can show you that an accompanying driver wouldn't be able to show you.

PCPhoto

to reverse parallel park ... signal.....align your car up with the already parked car (i prefer your mirrors paralell to their mirror), lock the wheel, check mirrors for any pedestrians/traffic.... reverse .

when you are paralell with the back of their car lock the wheel in the opposite direction and continue to reverse....if required, straighten up steering wheel and drive forward into position and/or reverse if required.

greenie

What ha-ya & PC said!;)
Also you'd have to be in first gear as it's a very slow process when you're learning. As your instructor said, you'll be controlling the car with the clutch & accelerator...that's how I learnt! It takes a while before you're completely comfortable doing this so don't worry if you're finding it hard right now...everybody does in the beginning:)

**Timbuk2**

I would suggest practicing on a quiet street first, as cars waiting behind you might put you under pressure

ardmacha

Like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24_kXzmpN6o

not like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYXbddoVjTY

Faith+1

ardmacha wrote: »

not like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYXbddoVjTY

Jesus!!!:eek:

ADI34722

Thats awesome. 4mins. Anyway as the funny video shows make sure your car will actually fit in the space.

spurious

Wouldn't it be great though, even once, to be able to do this?:D

erwinvr101

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWIqbAIoIJ8&feature=related

af_thefragile

erwinvr101 wrote: »

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWIqbAIoIJ8&feature=related

Thats brilliant!!!!

**Timbuk2**

With practice you might be as good as this 87 year old man (who says old people can't drive)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvGKxDlXgvQ

wayne0308

I was just about to ask how he got out of his car :rolleyes: then I watched on. Brilliant!

Richie15

Jamie-b wrote: »

How do you parallel park?
Reverse in or come in from behind? What gear should I be in? How do I go really slow- clutch only? My accompanying driver said no you must accelerate and only let clutch out a bit.

Reverse in or come in from behind?
Reverse. Effectively you're using the rear wheels (relative to the direction of travel) to steer, which means much more manoeuvrability in confined spaces - that's why forklifts and some trolleys have rear-wheel steering.

What gear should I be in?
For any low-speed manoeuvre, use a low gear ratio. Either reverse or, if you prefer to go in forwards, first.

How do I go really slow- clutch only?
And brake, if necessary!

My accompanying driver said no you must accelerate and only let clutch out a bit.
Never accelerate in reverse, unless you're a stuntman! Same applies to first, if it's a low-speed manoeuvre. Have you had lessons from an Approved Driving Instructor? I found when I was learning a lot of what I learned from my accompanying drivers had to be unlearned before my test.

Jamie-b

Thanks fo the replies.

Never accelerate in reverse, unless you're a stuntman! Same applies to first, if it's a low-speed manoeuvre. Have you had lessons from an Approved Driving Instructor? I found when I was learning a lot of what I learned from my accompanying drivers had to be unlearned before my test.

I have had lessons, but not in parking. He sent me away to practice my driving and told me I could come back for a parking lesson. Think its time