How Parking in Series and Parallel is Different, You Know! Here’s the Explanation

How to park in series and parallel is one of the essential knowledge that drivers must have. Parking a car can be a significant challenge for drivers. Although it seems trivial, it can become a problem if the driver is not skilled enough.

This applies to drivers who have just learned to drive a car. Generally, they will struggle when parking their vehicles, especially when faced with series parking and two cars squeezing the parking space.

Here we present information on how to park a car safely, both in series and parallel, and their differences.

Differences Between Series and Parallel Parking

There are 2 types of car parking, namely series and parallel parking. Both have their own differences. To understand how to park a car in series or parallel, see the following discussion.

How to Park a Car in Series

Before knowing how to park in series, you must first understand its definition. What is series parking?

Series parking is a method of parking perpendicular at a 90-degree angle to the main road. Thus, the parking position is not aligned straight forward and backward but lined up sideways.

The driver must have special skills to maneuver the vehicle well, especially when parking.

In series parking, the head position must face the road or reverse parking.

Because, in an emergency situation like an earthquake, a vehicle parked in reverse can exit more easily compared to a vehicle parked head-in. Tips for parking a car in series include:

Align the B pillar with the parking line on the right, then turn and move away from the parking space, next move the car forward until the D pillar aligns with the parking line on the right.
Turn the steering wheel to the right, then reverse the vehicle towards the parking space. Stop the vehicle when the car body is straight, then straighten the steering direction, and slowly reverse the vehicle into the parking space.
When parking a car in series, you must pay attention to the left and right mirrors. Do not hesitate to repeat moving forward and backward if the parking position does not look straight.
Do not hesitate to get out of the car to ensure the situation behind is safe. By looking directly, you will have a proper reference to measure the width on the right and left behind the car.

How to Park a Car in Parallel

Parallel parking is a technique of parking a car in a lined-up position along the side of the road, usually found in urban areas or busy places without garages.

Parallel parking is also a type that you must pay attention to. In this type of parking, you must park in a lined-up position as when entering a toll gate.

Indeed, when looking at parallel parking, it seems very easy. However, this parking requires its own technique, as the position can become difficult if the distance between the cars in front and behind is close. The likelihood of the car getting scratched will be high.

Therefore, you must park it carefully. So, how do you park a car in parallel?

Here are easy tips for parallel parking a car, including:

1. Know the Turning Direction First

One of the mistakes when parallel parking is not knowing the turning direction, causing the driver to mistakenly turn the steering wheel and the car cannot be parked in the same direction.

The driver must know the turning radius so that when turning the steering wheel, it is not difficult, and maintain distance from other parked vehicles. If you turn the steering wheel first, the turning radius will be shorter.

2. Know the Parking Area

When parking, the driver must not only look for an empty area to place the car. But the driver must also carefully identify which area is empty.

To observe this, you can position the midpoint in the parking area. This midpoint is the position behind the door or aligned with the safety belt. If this process is aligned with the bumper of the car in front, you only need to park in that area.

3. Control the Brake When Parking

Both the gas and brake must be controlled carefully because the parking area is very narrow.

In addition to knowing how to park in series and parallel, another thing you must pay attention to is the condition of the car. Make sure to service the car at an official Daihatsu workshop. With experienced mechanics, you can also book a service.