Help with Parallel Parking?

J

JohnKool

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Im a new driver and Some reason I cannot parallel park also I am very worried of Burning my clutch.

example a big space I still have to park 3-5 times before I can get into and that Im really scared of Burning the clutch

What other possible way is there to it?


Thank you
 
It will come with lots of practice. Don't avoid parallel parking otherwise you'll never learn.

Also with practice you'll learn not to rev the engine too much so the clutch won't get damaged.
 
If you're worried about burning up a clutch then you're slipping it too much. To move enough to get it parked you don't really need to slip it much since you should be able to park it within a few movements of the car.

Couple tips for you... I always like to use this analogy for people. Don't think of parallel parking as parking next to the curb... the biggest thing to remember is WHERE to start. Drive up PARALLEL to the car you're parking behind.

- Pull up next to car side by side (the car you are parking behind)
- Turn the wheel so you can begin pointing the back of the car the way you need to park (if parking to a curb to your right, turn the wheel right, for a curb on the left, turn left.)
- Go in reverse until the car is approaching the curb
- Start turning the wheel the other way and keep reversing, the idea is to start straightening it out so you don't rub the curb and end up "parallel" to the curb.

Burning up the clutch on a car would require a lot of frequent slipping, lots of corrections.

Perhaps try it with an automatic till you're used to it to ease your anxiety?

Here's a good youtube vid linked below
 
Practise parking behind one car only i.e. not between two cars. That way you do not need to be riding the clutch at all, just put it in reverse give it enough throttle to be moving backward and then concentrate just on manoeuvring the car.
I find that using the rear three quarter window as a sighting line helps, when you can see the end of the car you are parking behind in the rear three quarter start turning the wheel until you are pointed out at about 1 o'clock, the straighten the wheel and reverse straight back until your bonnet clears the end of the car in front, then full lock on to turn your car parallel to the curb. It does not matter if you finish up 5 feet or 15 feet from the car in front as long as you finish within 6 inches of the curb. Once you have practised that manoeuvre enough times to be confident of finishing within 5 feet of the car in front and 6 inches from the curb, then start to practise between parked cars, slowly choosing smaller and smaller gaps.
 
The simple answer is practise. Only use sufficient power to prevent stalling when you control your speed with the clutch. Assess your space before attempting the manoeuvre. Watch a friend who you know can park well. I mean well, not fast.
Go about half your car length past the foremost parked vehicle. As soon as you start to reverse move slowly and turn the wheel fast to get your angle. Practise will help you judge the initial amount. While still moving slowly straighten your steering and then the opposite lock to straighten your car.
I think your problem is not lack of skill but lack of confidence. If you can do it after 3 -5 attempts it will improve. If you are a lady then because of the way male and female brains work, you may find reversing more of a challenge than a similarly experienced male. If you want more help, mail me with more details of how it goes wrong and i can give more specific help
 
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