Parallel Parking

[lbls1]

Take your time, as it can fool you. I had my car a few months, and while I could parallel park in my sleep, but even with it I misjudged the distance from a curb and almost curbed a rim. I would only curb a rim if I were distracted or if I were rushing.

I take my time in all parking situations; From parallel, or head/butt in, and even in and out of the garage.

[hazy]

This is how I do it!! Don't even need to adjust my mirrors!!!

[Evergreen6]

Originally Posted by erik13

Umm...no offense but is this a thread full of grown men who can't parallel park a car?

Don't forget all the women that can't parallel park, either!

[Enduring]

Originally Posted by Evergreen6

it's much MUCH easier on the power steering pump. Also, if you turn the wheel to lock and the car has hydraulic power steering, let off 1/4" or so (the pump shouldn't audibly whine or hiss, unless you're driving a Ford, that's a whole 'nother story).

None of this applies to a Camaro as it has electric assisted steering and not hydraulic. And even on full lock a hydraulic pump should not whine. If it is then it's starting to fail.

[CamaroCracka]

Originally Posted by Enduring

None of this applies to a Camaro as it has electric assisted steering and not hydraulic. And even on full lock a hydraulic pump should not whine. If it is then it's starting to fail.

Many Camaros have hydraulic steering and I have yet to see a PS pump that would not whine if you held it at full lock. It's bypassing like crazy at that point and getting pretty hot.

[Evergreen6]

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

Many Camaros have hydraulic steering and I have yet to see a PS pump that would not whine if you held it at full lock. It's bypassing like crazy at that point and getting pretty hot.

This.

[102SS]

Originally Posted by erik13

Umm...no offense but is this a thread full of grown men who can't parallel park a car?

LMAO.

I visit my sister in Toronto and have to PP everytime,its no different than any other car.

[Enduring]

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

Many Camaros have hydraulic steering and I have yet to see a PS pump that would not whine if you held it at full lock. It's bypassing like crazy at that point and getting pretty hot.

Yeah, meant to say OPs Camaro. 2013 onwards have electric power steering. None of my PS pumps have ever whined when they were working correctly. The only one that whined failed soon after.

[omgitsmiketuck]

Originally Posted by Eddie57

I just bought my Camaro a couple weeks a go and men I cant even park the thing straight. Im afraid to attempt parallel parking. Any tips? I haven't tinted my windows yet to avoid reducing visibility until im confident with the car's dimensions. I used to drive a scion tc btw.

I find the trick is to find somewhere else to park.

[Evergreen6]

Originally Posted by Enduring

Yeah, meant to say OPs Camaro. 2013 onwards have electric power steering. None of my PS pumps have ever whined when they were working correctly. The only one that whined failed soon after.

Hydraulic steering pumps make noise when the wheel is at full lock. It can sound like a whine or other abnormal noise as the system is bleeding off pressure via a bypass valve. Totally normal behavior, but it wears the unit. Listen for it next time you drive any vehicle with hydraulic power steering when the wheel is turned and held in lock, left or right. It will make noise.

Electric power steering should reduce power to itself when the wheel is turned and held at full lock as to not damage the electric motor. The steering can feel sticky sometimes when this happens (basically takes away all of the power assist).

Either way, avoiding holding the wheel at full lock is a good practice in both situations.

[trcsr]

Originally Posted by Homer2

Parallel parking would certainly be easier if you tilt the mirror down. just sayin.

Putting those little fisheye mirrors on the regular mirrors help a lot as well. That way you can see the curb without moving the mirrors. I've had mine for 18 months and have not parallel parked yet, and don't intend to unless absolutely necessary. Also, as others have said park far away from all others in an open lot. Especially WalMart.

[Burt]

Practice is key, and a back up camera helps a lot. My last car was big too, and had no backup camera, and I got good with it eventually. I've been hit or miss with the Camaro (bumped the curb once-tire saved me) and it you're like me and coming from a FWD car, the biggest issue can be figuring out where to start your cut, and when to cut back. Find an empty lot and a couple orange barrels, get those two points down, and you'll be fine.

[goinggone14]

Originally Posted by erik13

Umm...no offense but is this a thread full of grown men who can't parallel park a car?

You're overlooking the fear factor of destroying your car's wheels that most people don't encounter in nearly every other vehicle.

There's definitely a difference between being able to parallel park and being able to do it successfully. Based on personal experience, I'd say ~60% of people cannot parallel park without touching the curb 95 times out of 100. That's why it's avoided by plenty, and failed by many more.

Originally Posted by Evergreen6

Don't forget all the women that can't parallel park, either!

And some genders park better than others on average: facts only.

Originally Posted by Burt

Practice is key, and a back up camera helps a lot. My last car was big too, and had no backup camera, and I got good with it eventually. I've been hit or miss with the Camaro (bumped the curb once-tire saved me) and it you're like me and coming from a FWD car, the biggest issue can be figuring out where to start your cut, and when to cut back. Find an empty lot and a couple orange barrels, get those two points down, and you'll be fine.

If you paid for a back up camera, you should exclusively park in reverse.

[CCMADONNA]

The Fear Factor is what gets me -- I can parallel park my Yukon first try every single time, the Camaro, well, like i stated, i haven't even tried.