If you often drive in the city, you are surely familiar with the difficulty of finding a parking spot. Especially in narrow and crowded areas, parallel parking skills are key to avoiding stress and even scratches on your car.

Many drivers are still confused when it comes to positioning their car parallel to other vehicles on the side of the road. However, mastering the parallel parking technique can boost your confidence, keep your car safe, and avoid disrupting traffic around you.

So, What Is Parallel Parking?

Simply put, parallel parking is positioning your car parallel to other vehicles or the curb. It is usually done on the side of the road, in front of stores, or in public areas with limited parking space. The car must be parallel to the road line and leave enough space for other vehicles to pass.

Once you understand the basic concept, you can become more skilled at measuring space and reducing the risk of minor collisions or scratches with neighboring cars.

Step-by-Step Guide to Parallel Parking

To make it easier, here is a practical guide to parallel parking:

1. Find a Sufficiently Spacious Spot

• It should be at least 1.5 times the length of your car.
• Check the position of the cars in front and behind so that they are not too close.

2. Position the Car Parallel

• Move the car close to the vehicle in front, leaving a distance of about 50-70 cm.
• Make sure the wheels are straight before starting the maneuver.

3. Reverse Slowly

• Turn the steering wheel toward the sidewalk or parking space.
• Use your mirrors and always watch out for pedestrians or other vehicles.

4. Adjust the Wheel Angle

• As the car begins to enter the space, straighten the wheels so that they are parallel.
• Move forward and backward slightly to adjust.

5. Double-Check the Final Position

• Leave a space of about 30–50 cm from the car in front and behind.
• Make sure the wheels are straight and the car is not too close to the other cars.

Tips for Greater Safety

• If your car is equipped with a rear camera or parking sensors, make full use of them.
• Use the handbrake, especially on slopes.
• Practice in a quiet area first so that parallel maneuvering becomes second nature.

Over time, parallel parking will no longer cause panic. With experience, this skill becomes an automatic instinct that makes you more confident every time you park on narrow city streets.

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Panduan Parkir Paralel: Skill Wajib Pengemudi Perkotaan

Kalau sering berkendara di perkotaan, pasti sudah familiar dengan drama cari parkir. Apalagi di area yang sempit dan ramai, kemampuan parkir paralel jadi kunci utama biar nggak bikin stres atau malah bikin mobil lecet.

Banyak pengemudi yang masih bingung saat harus menaruh mobil sejajar dengan kendaraan lain di sisi jalan. Padahal, paham teknik parkir paralel bisa bikin kita lebih pede, mobil tetap aman, dan lalu lintas sekitar juga nggak tersendat.

Jadi, Apa Itu Parkir Paralel?

Secara simpel, parkir paralel itu menaruh mobil sejajar dengan kendaraan lain atau tepi jalan. Biasanya dilakukan di sisi jalan raya, depan toko, atau area publik yang ruang parkirnya terbatas. Mobil harus lurus dengan garis jalan dan tetap menyisakan ruang buat kendaraan lain lewat.

Kalau sudah paham konsep dasarnya, pengemudi bisa lebih jago mengukur ruang dan mengurangi risiko tabrakan kecil atau gesekan dengan mobil tetangga.

Step by Step Parkir Paralel

Biar makin gampang, ini panduan praktis parkir paralel:

1. Cari Spot yang Cukup Lapang

• Minimal panjangnya 1,5 kali mobilmu.
• Cek posisi mobil di depan dan belakang biar nggak terlalu mepet.

2. Posisikan Mobil Sejajar

• Dekatkan mobil ke kendaraan depan dengan jarak sekitar 50–70 cm.
• Roda dalam posisi lurus sebelum mulai manuver.

3. Mundur dengan Santai

• Putar setir ke arah trotoar atau ruang parkir.
• Gunakan spion dan selalu awasi pejalan kaki atau kendaraan lain.

4. Atur Sudut Roda

• Saat mobil mulai masuk, luruskan roda supaya posisi sejajar.
• Geser maju-mundur sedikit untuk menyesuaikan.

5. Cek Lagi Posisi Akhir

• Sisakan ruang sekitar 30–50 cm dari mobil depan dan belakang.
• Pastikan roda lurus dan posisi mobil nggak terlalu menempel.

Tips Biar Makin Aman

• Kalau mobilmu sudah ada kamera belakang atau sensor parkir, manfaatkan maksimal.
• Gunakan rem tangan, terutama di area miring.
• Latihan dulu di area sepi biar manuver paralel jadi kebiasaan.

Lama-lama, parkir paralel nggak lagi bikin panik. Dengan jam terbang, skill ini jadi insting otomatis yang bikin kamu lebih percaya diri setiap kali parkir di jalan kota yang sempit.