We’ve all been there: you’re driving out of a parking space, trying to avoid the stress of hitting the car next to you, and you’re wondering if you’re in the clear.
The tension builds up as you inch out of the spot, constantly checking your mirrors, steering wheel, and surroundings.
But what if I told you there’s a way to confidently navigate parking without the constant worry of bumping into another vehicle? Well, there is—and it all comes down to three simple tips.
In this blog post, I’ll break down these three key parking tips and explain why they work. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or just starting to tackle parking lots with confidence, these tips will help you steer clear of accidents and improve your parking skills.
Let’s dive into these game-changing parking techniques and explore how easy it can be to park without stress.
1. Alignment of your shoulder with the car next to you
Why It Works:
When you’re driving out of a parking spot, the first rule to remember is simple: you will never hit the car. This might sound like common sense, but there’s a deeper level of understanding behind it.
The key to this rule lies in how the car is positioned in relation to the other vehicles around you.
In the parking lot, many drivers make the mistake of assuming that the closer they get to the adjacent car, the more carefully they have to navigate their steering wheel to avoid a collision.
However, this isn’t necessarily true. As long as you follow a simple step, the risk of hitting the car next to you diminishes significantly.
Here’s the trick:
When driving out of a parking space, focus on aligning your shoulder with the front of the car next to you. When your shoulder is lined up with the vehicle’s front, no matter how you turn the steering wheel, the car will not hit the vehicle beside you.
This principle works because it aligns your body with the car’s spatial position. The space between your vehicle and the other car will always be enough to clear any obstacles, provided you don’t swing your steering wheel too dramatically.
How to Use This Tip:
- Focus on lining your shoulder with the front of the car next to you.
- Start moving slowly, adjusting your steering based on the alignment you’ve established.
- Avoid overcompensating with the wheel, keeping movements fluid but controlled.
2. Aligning the rearview mirror with the bumper.
Why It Works:
When reversing out of a parking space, there’s a common misconception that you need to turn the steering wheel sharply or excessively in order to avoid obstacles.
While precision is important, the real trick to safe parking lies in your rearview mirror and where it lines up with the car next to you.
Here’s the key: when your rearview mirror aligns with the bumper of the car next to you, you are safe to reverse without hitting it—no matter how randomly you turn the steering wheel.
This simple trick works because of the precise angle at which your car is aligned as you begin to back out. Your rearview mirror essentially acts as a reference point, guiding you on whether your car will safely clear the other vehicle.
Here’s why this works:
When the rearview mirror is positioned exactly with the bumper of the vehicle next to you, the angles and distances work in your favor.
You are aligning the backend of your car with the right amount of clearance, which provides a safe cushion to maneuver without colliding with the other vehicle.
Even if you don’t have precise control over your steering wheel as you reverse, this alignment guarantees you won’t hit the car next to you.
How to Use This Tip:
- Align your rearview mirror with the bumper of the car next to you as you begin reversing.
- Begin to reverse slowly, checking both mirrors and your surroundings.
- You don’t need to overthink your steering; the alignment with the bumper gives you enough clearance to back out safely.
3. Remember to do tip 1 & 2 right
Why It Works:
So far, we’ve tackled two critical aspects of parking: the alignment of your shoulder with the car next to you and aligning the rearview mirror with the bumper.
These two steps, combined, create a foolproof method to avoid hitting the car next to you. The third sentence that ties it all together is simple but powerful: no matter how much you turn the steering wheel, you will not hit the car next to you—as long as you’ve followed the first two tips.
The reason this works is rooted in how vehicles are designed and how we park. Parking spaces are created with ample room to maneuver, even in tight conditions.
As long as you align yourself properly at the beginning, the rest becomes a matter of following through and maintaining control.
How to Use This Tip:
- Make sure your shoulder is aligned with the front of the car next to you when you start driving out of the space.
- Align your rearview mirror with the bumper of the car next to you before you begin reversing.
- Don’t overthink your steering. Trust the alignment and focus on steady, controlled movements.