What is the A2 parallel parking mnemonic?
2 Answers
A2 parallel parking mnemonic is: 1) Press clutch, 2) Engage reverse gear, 3) Turn on signal, 4) Honk horn. Release handbrake. When pole 1 aligns with the center vertical line of the rear window, turn steering wheel fully right. When pole 4 coincides with the center of the triangular window in the rear, turn steering wheel fully left. Straighten the vehicle. Engage forward gear, turn on signal light, turn steering wheel fully left. When the side mirror passes pole 1, turn steering wheel fully right, then execute and straighten. Engage R gear, slowly release clutch: Vehicle speed must be slow. When the small rear window or pole 1 (left front pole of garage) reaches the rear wheel, press clutch firmly (do not brake or pause too long). After stabilizing, turn steering wheel right 1.5 turns, slowly release clutch to reverse while watching interior rearview mirror. When pole 4 (right rear pole of garage) aligns with vehicle center, press clutch firmly (remember not to brake). Precautions: Adjust side mirrors - left mirror should be lowered to see left rear wheel; right mirror should show vehicle body. Adjust interior rearview mirror to see center of rear windshield when looking up.
I've been driving for many years, and parallel parking is really a challenge for beginners. I still remember the 'three-character mantra' taught in driving school—'Close, Turn, Straighten.' The first step 'Close' means to park the car parallel to the parking space, about half a car length away from the target spot. The second step 'Turn' refers to turning the steering wheel all the way and slowly reversing until you see the rear car's taillights in the mirror. The third step 'Straighten' is to straighten the wheels and continue reversing, then fine-tune the position to enter the spot. This mantra is super practical because it simplifies complex actions, and with more practice, beginners can reduce scrapes. Don’t forget safety first—turn on the small lights to avoid blind spots when reversing. I suggest practicing a few more times in an open area until you get the hang of it. Once mastered, this trick can be a lifesaver on narrow streets.
