It is difficult to maneuver an SUV in tight spaces, such as parking lots. To make things even more difficult, in some parking spaces the spaces reserved for cars are not even big enough for bulky off-road vehicles. Parking an SUV requires great attention, precision and patience: take a good look at the surrounding environment, position the vehicle correctly and always proceed slowly.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Reverse Parking
Step 1. Find an empty space and move two or three cars past it
Reversing into a parking space is always the safest method. In fact you have the possibility to evaluate the space when you pass it and this allows you to notice any obstacles and to observe if the adjacent vehicles are parked too close to the demarcation lines. Finally, when it's time to leave, just get out driving forward and not reverse.
- When looking for free space with your SUV, you should stay 2-2.5 meters from parked vehicles.
- When you see a free space, put the arrow to indicate to other drivers that you intend to park.
- As you pass the parking lot, examine it. If it's safe and big enough for your SUV, continue driving up to two or three spaces later. SUVs are not all the same size, so consider the distance you need to keep from parking and other cars based on your car's measurements.
Step 2. Observe your surroundings and make sure there are no pedestrians or other vehicles
Before entering the parking lot in reverse, you must be sure that there are no obstacles in your way. Use the rear view mirrors and windows to look around. Wait for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles to pass you. If there is a car behind you, check that you can enter the parking lot without hitting it. If the other driver is not careful, find another parking space.
Step 3. Put the car in reverse and slowly drive backwards as you turn the steering wheel
Once the way is clear, prepare to enter the parking lot. Engage reverse, turn in the seat to look out the rear window and check the mirrors.
- If the road is still clear, start driving backwards by slowly turning the steering wheel in the direction of the parking lot. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right if the free space is to the right, to the left if the opposite is the case.
- As you proceed backwards, you will see the lines delimiting the parking space appear in the side mirrors. Use them as a guide to enter the parking lot. We will define the line closest to you as "A" and the farthest one "B". Repeatedly look in the mirror closest to the free space until line A appears. When the SUV begins to enter the parking space, line B will appear in the other mirror.
- Keep checking the side mirrors to check your distance from the lines. You should be exactly in the center.
- The slower you go, the easier and safer parking will be.
Step 4. Straighten the steering wheel and enter the parking space in reverse
When lines A and B are parallel in the side mirrors, stop for a moment. Straighten the steering by turning it one and a half times. Once the wheels are straight, keep reversing until the rear bumper brushes the concrete wall or car behind you. Pull the handbrake, get out of the SUV and close the doors.
Step 5. Straighten the SUV if necessary
If the car is too close to another car or is crooked, correct your parking space before exiting the vehicle. You could suffer damage if you leave your car too close to another car.
- Enter the first.
- Look left and right, looking for pedestrian and other cars. When you have the green light, move forward and move away from the object you are too close to.
- Keep moving forward until the SUV is straight and centered. Turn the steering wheel so the wheels are straight.
- Put the car in reverse.
- Use the rearview mirror as you walk backwards into the car seat.
- Pull the handbrake and get out of the SUV.
Method 2 of 3: Entering a Parking Forward
Step 1. Find a free space and position the car so that you can get inside
While looking for a parking space, stay about 2-2.5 meters from other vehicles. When you find a space large enough for your SUV, slow down and put the arrow on, indicating that you want to park. Stop when the side mirror reaches the center of the parking space immediately preceding the free one.
If there is a car parked in the parking space before the free one, align the side mirror with the center of its license plate
Step 2. Turn the wheel and proceed slowly within the free space
Quickly turn the steering wheel two and a half times towards the parking lot. If it's on your right, steer right (opposite left). When you have the green light, proceed to the parking space. Brake when your mirrors are level with those of other cars.
Step 3. Straighten the steering wheel and apply the handbrake
To put the wheels straight, turn the steering wheel one and a half times in the opposite direction from where you entered; if you initially turned to the right, rotate it one and a half times to the left (do the opposite if you entered on the left). Pull the handbrake, get out of the SUV and close the doors.
Step 4. Straighten the SUV if necessary
If the car is not straight, correct the parking before getting out of the car. Trying to get out when you are too close to another car could cause damage.
- Put the car in reverse.
- Turn around in the seat and use the mirrors to check for pedestrians and other vehicles. When you have the green light, exit the parking lot and move away from the object you are too close to.
- Keep going backwards until your SUV is centered and straight.
- Put the first one back and turn the steering wheel to straighten the wheels.
- Use the side mirrors as you drive back into the parking lot.
- Pull the handbrake and get out of the SUV.
Method 3 of 3: Take Additional Safety Measures
Step 1. Use the SUV's parking cameras
Many cars of this type are equipped with rear cameras. While this technology allows you to see behind your vehicle, it should always be used in conjunction with the side and rear mirrors. You can use the camera when entering a parking lot in reverse, when trying to straighten the car after entering forward or when exiting in reverse. To activate it, put the car in reverse. Use the monitor and mirrors to park or maneuver safely.
The steps you need to take to park, straighten your car or get out of a parking space do not change with the use of the rear view camera
Step 2. Park further away from your final destination
When the space you intend to park in is flanked on both sides by cars, the challenge is more difficult. Minimize the risk of damaging other cars and your SUV by parking in the furthest places or on the top floor of the facilities.
Step 3. Avoid reversing out of the parking spaces
Going out in reverse with an SUV is very difficult, because these cars have many blind spots. It is always safer to exit a parking space forwards, as you have the ability to clearly see traffic, pedestrians and other potential obstacles. If you can, always go in reverse, or get out of the parking space by going forward.
Step 4. Check your mirrors often
Like all cars, SUVs have blind spots. However, unlike on smaller vehicles, SUVs' blind spots are much larger. When parking, use mirrors to compensate for this problem.
Warnings
- When turning the steering wheel, you should do it slightly, so as not to damage the steering column.
- Always go slowly.
