Car Parks

Sleuthy

Is there such a place as a non scary carpark in Dublin 2 that wouldn't utterly terrify someone who is deeply uncomfortable with parking? I'd like to bring the car into town one of these days but would like to park somewhere that is suitable for a rookie like myself. I've been discouraged from using the Setanta carpark from a pal of mine who said it's not very conducive to a comfortable parking experience. Suggestions / advice welcome.

ADIDriving

It may not be the answer you want, but learn to park. Either practice somewhere quiet or get a lesson on parking. Then you will have no worries parking anywhere.

Faith+1

ADIDriving wrote: »

It may not be the answer you want, but learn to park. Either practice somewhere quiet or get a lesson on parking. Then you will have no worries parking anywhere.

Agreed +1! You'll have to learn to park sometime so why not now?

Sleuthy

Faith+1 wrote: »

Agreed +1! You'll have to learn to park sometime so why not now?

I know well I need to learn to park but in the interim, before I am fully comfortable, I will probably have to park in town and would've liked a bit of guidance on where's more novice-friendly.....

Gavin "shels"

Not Dublin 2, but Crumlin Shopping Centre carpark is great these days as it does be empty and it's a decent size.

spurious

From what I witnessed once, try to avoid parking in a space that slopes sharply downwards.
Getting in is grand, getting out is much more fun - a hill start in reverse.

Midnight_EG

spurious wrote: »

From what I witnessed once, try to avoid parking in a space that slopes sharply downwards.
Getting in is grand, getting out is much more fun - a hill start in reverse.

I'm wondering do you mean going forward into a space that slopes down, so the back sits higher than the front? If so, handbrake on, bring up the revs and the clutch until the car wants to move, handbrake off and away you go.

I do it everyday, I much rather it as opposed to a regular hill start.

spurious

Yes that's it. It was one of those spaces fitted in beside the ramp and was at quite a steep angle with a railing in front. My friend tried not to show it, but there was much sweating and gnashing of teeth getting out as he needed to get the biting point without letting it roll at all.

I pretended not to notice the trouble he was having.

ADIDriving

Sorry, I know it is not you want to hear but.... you should reverse into parking spaces. Yes it is harder going in. But much easier and safer going out. Practice reversing somewhere quiet. If you stop half way and need to go forward and reposition, do.
PS. I don't think you are going to find an easy, quiet carpark in D2.

TwoShedsJackson

There's a car park on Longford Lane (just off Aungier St) in D2, that is just a flat bit of tarmac, no slopes, kerbs, no painted spaces either mind you, it's like an old-school car park except it has a barrier and ticket machine now.

That's as easy as it'll get and if you get in there early enough or in 'off-hours' you can nearly always get a space, even though it only holds about 40 cars.

Alanstrainor

If i were you, i would just find any car park, at off peak times and try and park, even if there are cars around. It's all about controlling the car at slow speeds, just take your time, be aware of your surroundings and you'll be grand.
As ADIDriving said in his post, reversing into a space is much better practise than just driving in front first.

I know it's daunting, but throwing yourself in at the deep end is by far the best way to do it. You'll have an accompanying driver beside you to give advice so just stay calm and go for it imo!

psycho-hope

+1 on reversing into a parking space, takes a while to get the postioning right, but makes it much easier to pull out when you are leaving, no trying to watch other cars behind you, while looking over your shoulder and trying to steer the right way:)

Sleuthy

Thanks folks. Will really need to learn how to reverse into a spot but will choose my practising locations very carefully!

Del2005

Sleuthy wrote: »

Thanks folks. Will really need to learn how to reverse into a spot but will choose my practising locations very carefully!

If you go to the Square's multi storey car park it's always quite on the 2nd or higher floors. You can practice parking there for an hour before you need to pay. There are a few different layouts to try.

**Timbuk2**

Multi-storey car parks can be tricky to drive in when starting out, especially with a big car (in my opinion, anyway). Those curvy roads that bring you up to the next level are often quite narrow and as they bend sharply (sometimes) it can be hard to actually see the kerbs each side of the lane. Then again, it's not a huge deal.

Are there any carparks about that would be more or less empty at the weekend? I used to practice in a college carpark which would have very few cars in it at the weekend, or on a Sunday.