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So here I am at the dealer about to purchase a brand new vehicle. My old car was a good one, but after being having it s frame and axle bent in a car accident, (that by the way wasn t my fault, but that s another story…) my old car was just never the same. It was about time I moved on, and got myself a brand new vehicle.So I m going through the usual list of standard options, and things I just got to have in this new car, when a guy car browsing next to me says, Nice vehicle. Going to keep it on the street, or in your garage- . I said Well, in my development, we have assigned parking spots, so I will keep it as close to my unit as I m able .
He replied back You better consider a custom car cover then, you want to protect your investment. A car cover, I thought to myself, I wouldn t have even considered that. I thanked the gentlemen, and continued with signing the papers for the new car.
I asked the dealer what he thought about car covers, and he said They are a great investment if you don t have a indoor place to park your car. They help protect your vehicle from the elements, not to mention, other people. Seems I hit on a topic he knew about because he kept on talking.
You re going to need a custom car cover for this vehicle, being it s a SUV, and there are plenty of places you can find that make them he replied. He then went on to explain that not only will it help to retain a higher value of the car, but it will have less wear and tear, and it would help to avoid the usual nicks and scratches you get.
Most of the time you speak to people in casual conversation, you either forget what they were saying, or you just brush it off as nonsense, but I have to say, this time I sure am glad that complete stranger mentioned this to me. Protect what you have, get a better return on your investment, and keep your car looking newer, longer, with a custom car cover.

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Has your family started to cram into the old sedan like a pack of sardines- Have members of the neighborhood car pool begun to look suspiciously at your battered station wagon- Perhaps it s time to retire the old family car and move up to a bigger vehicle. Often, the choice for a more spacious family vehicle is a toss-up between a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a minivan. Both offer flexible passenger and cargo areas, comfortable seating for five to eight persons, and rear-seat entertainment systems. Although the SUV has a slightly higher risk for rollovers than minivans do, both are equipped with similar safety features, such as air bags and anti-lock brake systems. So, which one deserves to park in your family garage- To come up with the right choice, you need to look at how the vehicle s styling, fuel economy, passenger and cargo space, towing capacity, and safety will suit your family s needs and lifestyle.Styling
More than a matter of need, a vehicle s styling is a matter of personal preference. The SUV usually wins out over the minivan when it comes to appearance. With its rugged, sporty styling, an SUV oozes urban cool, unlike the minivan, which is perpetually associated with soccer moms and suburban neighborhood carpools. Most men would recoil at the thought of driving a minivan, so if your husband would be sharing driving duties, you might have to talk it out with him. Likewise, many teenagers wouldn t be caught dead stepping out of a minivan, so if you d be using the vehicle mainly to drop off and pick up your adolescent children from school, you d have to consider their preferences, too.
Fuel economy
Minivans give better mileage than SUVs, which have a reputation for being gas guzzlers. If you want to squeeze more miles out of the gasoline tank, then a minivan would make a more economic choice than an SUV. Other ownership costs, such as maintenance and insurance, also tend to be higher for SUVs than minivans. Unless you re willing to pay the price for being cool and stylish, the practical minivan is the way to go.
Passenger and cargo space
Sport utility vehicles and minivans have comparable passenger and cargo space, but the roomy interiors of a minivan can be a delight to young kids. Unlike SUVs, minivans also have a low step-in height, so they re easier for kids to climb into. Minivans large picture windows afford young passengers a better view of the passing scenery, therefore keeping your impatient young ones amused for a good part of the ride.
Towing capacity
If you own a boat and like to take the entire brood for weekend sailing retreats, then an SUV would make an appropriate choice. SUVs have superior towing capacities, enabling them to pull practically anything between a trailer and a small boat. Otherwise, if you re only schlepping groceries and your kid s soccer team, then there s no reason to overlook the minivan.
Safety
Although both have comparable safety features, SUVs have a higher rollover risk than minivans. SUV devotees counter this by pointing out that rollovers account for only three percent of all traffic accidents and claiming that SUVs offer excellent passenger protection in two-car collisions. It remains to be seen whether this supposed collision safety factor outweighs the risk of rollovers. If the threat of rollover accidents keeps you awake at night, then a minivan could give you a little peace of mind.

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If you are considering the purchase of your next used or second hand car, you might at this point be very nervous. Its not a purchase you make regularly like going to the supermarket for your monthly shop or buying that next outfit for hitting the town. Its something you might only do every three or four years sometimes longer.Some popular makes are:
Audi, Alfa Romeo, Bmw, Citroen, Ford, Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus,Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mg, Mini and Mitsubishi.
Confused- Who should I buy it from- A large garage group, a medium sized independent, a small independent, or a back street garage- The Answer- Whichever of these have the vehicle that you want! (With certain reservations which we will explore later.)
A common mistake is to go out in the car and visit all local sellers in the hope you see something you like, if you do this you will be at your most vulnerable and may well find that you buy something on impulse and may not in the long term be the best for you.
With the world wide web at your fingertips it s a great place to start. By using it and visiting some of the better used car classified sites you will be able to narrow down your choices before even leaving your home.
Some of the best sites are:
www.autotrader.co.uk
www.autoexposure.co.uk
www.compucars.co.uk
www.ukclassifieds.co.uk
www.freeads.net
Ideally you should list your requirements in order of importance for example:
1. Insurance Cost
2. Fuel type
3. Economy
4. Vehicle size
5. 3/5/4 door etc
6. Price
7. Colour
8. Specification
Don t get to carried away other wise the whole thing will not be the enjoyable experience it should be. Okay get surfing and find that combination of your dreams.
More of the most popular makes of vehicles to search are:
Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Rover, Seat, Subaru, Skoda, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.
Happy hunting and watch out for the next instalment. The negotiation.

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Below are some tips to reduce your auto insurance bill, prevent substantial premium increases and avoid becoming assigned risk.Claim Reports: You know about credit reports, you should also know about claim reports. C.L.U.E. (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange), is a claim report service provided by ChoicePoint, Inc. ChoicePoint, Inc. states on their web site “C.L.U.E. is a claim history information exchange that enables insurance companies to access prior claim information in the underwriting and rating process. C.L.U.E. Personal Property reports contain up to five years of personal property claims matching the search criteria submitted by the inquiring insurance company. Data provided in C.L.U.E. reports includes policy information such as name, date of birth and policy number, and claim information such as date of loss, type of loss and amounts paid.”
Tip: C.L.U.E. reports contain information on claims history by a residence address. Just like credit reports, a C.L.U.E. report may have errors. It is advisable to obtain a copy of your C.L.U.E. report at ChoiceTrust.com to check your report for errors.
Credit reports: Insurance companies are now looking at credit reports to determine future premiums. They have determined that people with better credit scores have fewer claims. Consequently, if you have a poor credit report you may find yourself paying more for car insurance.
Tip: Always make at least the minimum payment for your bills on time, particularly your insurance bill.
Glass Coverage: Most auto insurance salespeople recommend “full” glass coverage for an additional premium, when you purchase collision coverage for your car. They remind you how much it costs to replace all your windows if broken by a vandal. What they do not tell you, and it is unlikely that they would even know (I would only trust the answer from an underwriter, not a sales representative), is whether your insurance company will use a previous glass claim to increase your future premium and whether they will report your glass claims to C.L.U.E.
Some insurance companies will report glass claims to C.L.U.E. and then use these claims to raise your premium or even worse, cancel your car insurance policy making you assigned risk with a substantial premium increase. Allstate notified me that after four claims in less than five years, they terminated my auto insurance policy and then offered to sell me coverage in their Indemnity Company with a shocking premium increase. These claims consisted of two claims for a broken windshield, one for a stolen and recovered car and one accident.
I had a sports car and had to endure a total premium increase over a period of four years of approximately $12,000 and remain claim free before I became eligible for coverage outside of the assigned risk pool. I wrote a letter to the president of Allstate complaining that they should not have considered my glass claims when canceling my car insurance because the glass claims were made under a separate part of the policy for which I paid a separate and additional premium. Allstate responded in a letter stating “Although this claim activity does not indicate that you were directly at fault in each loss, the frequency and severity of the above losses was not within our range of acceptability. After careful review, I regret to inform you that we cannot reverse our original decision regarding the above policy. We have however continued to offer coverage in our Indemnity Company.”
Tip: Check with the underwriting department of your insurance company to see if they will consider glass claims when assessing premiums or if they report glass claims to C.L.U.E. If yes, do not make a glass claim. The two windshields which Allstate provided me with were aftermarket windshields which would have cost me less than $300 each. During the last 30 years of my driving history, I have experienced two broken front windshields, one broken rear windshield and two broken side windows. While the financial risk of totaling a car can be substantial, the financial risk of replacing a windshield is comparatively insignificant. It does not make sense to file a glass claim if it will increase your premium. You may even want to decline this coverage altogether and save the premium.
Tip for leased vehicles: Some lease agreements require that the car be returned with an OEM windshield. If you lease a car and replace a front windshield using your “full” glass coverage, insist that the insurance company provide you with an OEM windshield from the manufacturer. If you pay for the windshield yourself, check your lease agreement carefully to see if you must use an OEM windshield from the manufacturer or if you can use an aftermarket windshield. Some people with leased cars who have replaced a windshield with an aftermarket windshield are shocked, when they return their car, to find that the leasing company is charging them $800 for a new OEM windshield, even though the aftermarket windshield is in perfect condition.
Car Rental & Towing Coverage: While it may be a good idea to have this coverage, it is not always a good idea to use it. Some people have realized that this coverage is not just available when an accident has occurred. For instance, some people have used the car rental coverage when their car was in a repair shop or the towing coverage when their car broke down on the road. As with glass coverage, using this coverage may be the same as filing a claim.
Tip: Check with the underwriting department of your insurance company to see if they will consider rental or towing claims when assessing premiums or if they report these claims to C.L.U.E. If yes, do not use car rental or towing coverage unless you have had an accident, in which case it will be part of the accident claim. If you are concerned about towing costs when your car breaks down, you can buy one of the roadside assistance memberships such as the one available from AAA which provides additional benefits not provided by your automobile insurance policy.

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You hear about automotive recalls all the time in the newspaper, on the Internet, as well as on the nightly news. Amazingly, one in 12 cars traveling the roads today were recalled for one reason or another in 2003. However, even more amazing is the fact that only one third of the owners of the recalled vehicles chose to take their car in for the needed repairs. The car manufacturers are required to send out letters informing owners of these vehicles of the recall, regardless of whether it is a major or minor event. Also, the information regarding the recall is delivered to consumers in so many different mediums it is almost impossible that owners of the affected vehicles do not learn of the problems. However, people seem to think that if they are not experiencing any problems at the moment then the recall affects all of the other vehicles instead of theirs and end up ignoring the recall. This is negligence and simply asking for the problem with the car to crop up. However, if this happens after the recall then it is the owners fault because they were given the information and allowed to fix the problem free of charge yet they simply ignored it. As long as car manufactures report the recall and inform owners of the vehicles as they are required to do by law, it is up to the consumer to take advantage of the recall and have their automobile fixed. If not, then the owner is taking the risk. If you have not heard anything about car recalls or just bought a used vehicle and want to find out if the manufacturer issued any recalls then you should check out www.nhtsa.gov or www.autorecalls.org to see if your car is listed.Both of these websites have all the information about recalls over the past years so you can search through the year, make, and model of a vehicle to see if yours is listed. It is very likely you will see your car listed on one of these website because more than 31 million cars were recalled in 2004. That is almost unbelievable considering the amount of technology used in developing cars as well as the fact that cars are safer than they have ever been. However, it is true that mistakes are still taking places and consumers are buying vehicles with basic problems like fuses or major problems with gas lines, tires, and seats buckling in crashes. Regardless of whether or not you believe you are driving a safe car you need to check out the websites stated above every few months just to make sure your vehicle has not ended up on the list. If it has, don t fall into the two thirds of individuals who never respond to the recall. Instead, head to the nearest dealership or authorized mechanic who can make the free repairs to your vehicle. Why so many people don t have time for free repairs is beyond me, but knowing your vehicle has a problem that could be potentially fatal for you and your family and that a free repair is available should be enough to motivate you to have the repair taken care of.
Another thing to keep in mind is that simple problems with your vehicle that result in a visit to the mechanic may not be a problem you are required to pay for. Millions of Americans each year take their cars to the mechanic for a basic repair, or even a major one, assuming something went wrong and they simply need to fix it. Unfortunately, many of these individuals never check to see if the problem was due to a recall and end up paying for a repair that might be free or discounted by the automobile manufacturer. So, armed with this knowledge the next time your vehicle has even the slightest problem make sure you check and see if the car has been recalled for similar problems and if you can get free repairs or discounted ones at the least. It is certainly worth checking out and could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Who Issues Recalls-
In general, the reason so many people don t respond to recalls is because they simply don t understand the recall process. The NHTSA , National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, is responsible for investigating consumer complaints regarding specific vehicles and problems associated with them. After several consumers have reported the same or similar problem to the NHTSA for the same model vehicle an investigation is launched. The point of the NHTSA investigation is to determine whether the consumer caused the problem or malfunction in some way or if the manufacturer of the vehicle is at fault. If the manufacturer is determined to be at fault then the owners of affected models will receive information in the mail regarding the recall of the vehicle with information included on how they can have the problem corrected free of charge. However, the NHTSA is not always the one who issues a recall.
Occasionally, the manufacturer realizes a problem exists in a certain model vehicle and will voluntarily issue a recall. Of course, the NHTSA is informed as well, and the same letter is sent to owners of the vehicle letting them know the problem with the vehicle and how to correct it. Many times, however, a recall does not affect all models of a particular year. For example, if a recall is issued on 2005 Ford Explorers more than likely it will only affect a certain batch of these vehicles and not all of them. However, if you own a vehicle of that make and year then you can take it to the dealership and the service department will run the VIN, or vehicle identification number, to determine if in fact your vehicle is affected by the recall. If so, then you can have the repairs made at no cost. If not, then you can head home knowing your vehicle is safe and sound.
Just keep in mind, however, each year millions of cars are recalled for various reasons and you should always take your car in if you suspect the recall might apply to your vehicle or if you receive a recall letter. Don t take your safety for granted, especially if the repair for the recalled vehicle is free.

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With such a wide range of components and gadget on the market for car audio systems, the big question is “Where do I start-”First you must decide what exactly you wish to do. If you are wanting to build a car audio system for a daily driver (the car you drive back and forth to work) with good sounds, but you are not interested in competing, a system can easily be put together for under $1000. However, if you are looking for the all-out bass monster, be prepared to drop in some big bucks into your system.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when building a car audio system is planning. Get an idea of where you are going to place components, subwoofers, amplifiers, and power distribution. A lot of headache can be avoided with the proper planning!!
For the basic system, lets look at some of the components needed.
Let’s first start with the head unit (CD player). Obviously you are going to want a nice head unit. If you start with a good quality cd player, and choose to upgrade your sound system in the future, purchase a head unit that will grow with you. Some of the features you may want to keep in mind are:
1. CD changer controls
2. XM / Sirius controls (if you decide to add Satellite radio in the future)
3. Dual RCA outputs (carries signal to the amplifiers)
4. Pause button (important for competing)
5. Detachable face, or other security devices
6. High voltage line driver - this will send the sound signal at a higher voltage to your amplifier/s reducing noise and improving overall sound quality.
After you have chosen your head unit, you will want to make a decision on amplifiers and subwoofers. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. A $30 subwoofer will be as big as a $300 subwoofer, but the capacities of each will differ greatly. Look at the power handling of each subwoofer and decide accordingly. You will want subwoofers will work with your amplifier/s (see compatibility).
You must also keep in mind the available space in your vehicle. Are you willing to give up your entire cargo area- How many subwoofers will fit- Decide on the size. Sizes will vary from 8″ up to 18″, some are square (Kicker), but most are round. Also keep in mind the resistance (ohms) of the subwoofer and make sure they are compatible with your amplifier/s (see compatibility). The subwoofer decision will also have an effect on the enclosure you decide to build or buy. For the basic system, I would recommend purchasing a pre-fabricated subwoofer enclosure. This will save you a bit of money and headache (especially if you end up building it two or three times!!). Make sure you take accurate measurement of your cargo area before building or buying an enclosure!!
Other components may be needed depending on the type of system you are building and how elaborate you want your sound to be. For the competition vehicle, figure on upgrading your alternator, adding a battery to your system (maybe more), running high quality RCA cables, power cables, ground cables, and speaker cable. You may need to add a capacitor to provide your amplifier with a reservoir of power for bigger hits from the subs. You may need an electronic crossover, an equalizer, replacement factory speakers, an amplifier for your mid-range and tweeters, additional speakers within your vehicle for staging, etc.

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It is good practice to check you re vehicle out before proceeding out on the road, and know all the safety features of the vehicle that you are operating. It is part of defensive driving to do these checks before you take you re vehicle on the road.Vehicle inspection should be first on the list, before proceeding out on the road.
Take out the tire wrench. You are going to need it to check the tires. Hit the tire to make sure there is sufficient air. You may want to carry a tire gauge in you re car. Do a visable inspection of tires, looking for possible cracks or worn tires.
Are there any visible leaks under the car- Do the signals work- Do the headlights work- (High and low beam.) Do the brake lights work-
Check to make sure there s enough engine oil; break fluid, and power steering fluid. Also check battery water level and coolant level. Do not open radiator cap! Vehicle must be cooled down first, if parked recently. (caution: see owners manual before opening cap.) Last will be transmission fluid. (Vehicle must be running to read proper level.) (Make sure you re emergency park brake is applied.)
Now you are ready to enter the car. Go over the safety features of your vehicle. .
Communication features:
Signals help you warn other drivers, which way you intend to turn.
Brakes warn other drivers your slowing down or stopping.
Horn warns other drivers and pedestrians to be alert.
Emergency signals warn other drivers of a problem that you may have.
Visibility features:
Mirrors should be adjusted before you leave any parked position.
Mirrors should be used quite often to see what is happening around you at all times. When you think your going to have to stop, check you re rearview mirror first. You may have to touch your brake, to warn others behind you. You may have to stop a little further ahead to give the driver behind you room to stop safely. It s all part of driving defensively.
Headlights should be working, high and low beam.
Wipers are a must in bad weather conditions.
Windshield must be clean.
Safety features:
Emergency brakes should be applied when in a parked position at all times. Test you re emergency brake by applying the handle, or pushing to the floor, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Remove gear out of park position with foot on brake pedal and put in drive position. Ease up on brake pedal. Vehicle should not roll forward. It is a good habit to always release park brake after putting vehicle in gear. The vehicle will not roll forward if you forget to put you re foot on the brake pedal, if the park brake is functioning properly.
Seat belts: Make sure you re seatbelt is on. Including passengers. It is a violation in most, if not every city and state not to wear it.
Comfort:
Heater should be adjusted accordingly, for maximum comfort. Driver must open windows if too hot.
Seat adjustments should be adjusted for maximum visibility and comfort.
(Check owner s manual for further knowledge of vehicle features and safety features.)
These topics that we covered should be second nature when reaching for them, especially when you get an unexpected downpour, or hit with mud from a passing vehicle, if you have to look for you re wipers, you may find yourself on top of another vehicle or in a ditch! Do not attempt to drive without this knowledge.

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Backing up your vehicle can be quite simple, once you get the technique down pat, like anything else. It should be a lot easier than going forward. There is a huge difference in speed, than maneuvering the vehicle forward. Keep in mind. The faster your speed is, the faster you have to process information. That said. Driving backwards should be a lot easier than going forward, because you should be going a lot slower. Now if you re speeding going backwards, the opposite is true. Right-When backing up a vehicle, always look in the direction that you are backing. When your maneuvering the vehicle to the left, look left. When you re maneuvering the vehicle to the right, look right. When you re driving straight back always look over you re right shoulder. Always glance over the opposite shoulder first, before you proceed to back up. So if you re backing and looking right, you should be glancing left first, before you start to roll backwards. Backing to the left, glance over right shoulder first. Always recheck you re blind spot again, if you take more time, before you roll back.
There are a few things that you have to do first, depending on the size of the vehicle. You may have to honk your horn to worn pedestrians and other vehicles. One important thing you must do is looking around before you back up. The other important thing you must do is look where your backing at all times. The only reason to glance forward is to make sure your front end clears the vehicle, hazard, or pedestrian beside your car if you intend on turning the vehicle. Did you notice I used the word glance-
It s pretty easy. Driving forward, you look forward, driving backwards; you look backwards until your vehicle comes to a complete stop. Everything else is just a glance. When you must back up, only go back far enough necessary to drive forward, especially if you re view is limited. Putting it in simpler terms. If you re vehicle has enough clearance to move forward. Stop and proceed forward. Do not guess. Move back more if your not sure. When you re not sure which way your vehicle wheels are turned. With your foot on the brake pedal and the gearshift in drive or reverse, depending on direction, release up on the brake pedal slowly and look and see which direction your vehicle is heading, and correct accordingly.
Let s take a quick lesson on backing up. May I suggest you find a vacant parking lot like a mall or a school when it is closed- Make sure you get out of the car and look around for kids playing first. (Do not attempt this maneuver without an experienced driver sitting next to you or kids playing in the area.)
With your foot covering the brake, slowly release the brake until the vehicle starts rolling. Keep your foot above the brake only to move it to the accelerator to get the vehicle in motion moving your foot back over the brake to keep the car from getting out of control. It s called covering the brake. Looking in the direction you want to go, place your hand at the twelve o clock position, practice turning the vehicle from side to side bringing it back to straight position and holding it straight for awhile. Stop after approximately the length of a football field and do the same thing going forward. The reason I would like you to do the same exercise going forward is that soon you will realize turning the wheel going forward is the same as turning the wheel going backwards. Once you turn the wheel right or left. Bringing the vehicle back to straight position will require you to straighten the wheel once the vehicle is straight again.
Repeat the maneuver going backwards until you arrive at the approximate point that you started. Also practice turning the vehicle on a bigger degree of a turn when you get a little more confident. Be certain that you are covering the brake pedal at all times. Slowly backing up to your ability only. Also practice backing up between the lines of parking stalls. Do this a few times or a couple of times a week and you will master the art of backing up safely.
Your knowledge on backing up is equally as important as driving forward. Just remember that doing it safely is the most important part of backing up. In other words, looking around before rolling back and looking where you re backing. Do not roll back looking forward. Do you look back when you are driving forward- .
Lets talk about the blind spot. Position your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel and look straight ahead. You should be able to see out your back window and your side mirrors. Those mirrors are good for viewing traffic coming up behind you. Your blind spot is situated over your shoulders on the backside of your passengers back windows. By glancing in that direction, you will be able to see a vehicle coming along side of you, that you cannot see with your mirrors. Including traffic or pedestrians approaching from the opposite side of the roadway, or parking lots and intersections.
When you want a better understanding of the blind spot. Have a friend or family member stand directly along side the back corner of you re vehicle, and have them side-step away from your vehicle, and looking in you re side and rear view mirror until they are not visible, then glance over you re shoulder. That would be you re blind spot.
Driving safely is almost impossible without the understanding of your blind spot. All it takes is a quick glance, and if you think you saw something, glance again, before you turn the vehicle wheel, and or move in that direction.
Do not turn the wheel at the same time your checking. It defeats the purpose of checking to see if it s safe. I like to use the word glance, especially if you re moving the vehicle. When you re not moving forward or backwards, take a good look around before you roll. It is important to look in the direction you re going.
For further information on driving techniques, please find a recognized driving school nearest you.

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This could be the most talked about maneuver amongst new drivers and their biggest fear, when it comes to driving. I have heard of stories how drivers elect to park one or two blocks away to avoid parking between two cars.The most important thing to consider when attempting a park between two vehicles is safety first.
Approaching a vehicle ahead of you, parked on the side of the roadway should be done and planned well in advance. The beginning of the maneuver should start far enough back. If the roadway is wide enough, check you re mirrors, touch you re brake pedal to warn other drivers that you are slowing down and stopping. Signal to the right, assuming we are parking on the right. Check you re right shoulder, keeping the steering wheel straight. Once everything is safe, gradually move over, and drive in a straight line alongside the vehicles you re planning to park between. Do not attempt to move in at the last minute, towards the vehicle. You should be planning this far enough back to swing in sooner, so you will be going straight along side the vehicle, as you approach the vehicle in front of you. You should have a minimum of a couple of feet clearance.
As you pull along side the spot that you are attempting to park, pause, and make a decision on the size of area. This decision should only take a couple of seconds. Is it big enough for you re vehicle- You should have a few feet extra on both ends of the car. You have to leave enough room for other drivers that may attempt to back up, if they have to clear the vehicle in front of their car, to get out. Once you have made the decision that the area that you are going to park is big enough. Continue straight ahead, and stop, when you are parallel to the vehicle you are going to park behind, and change gears to reverse.
Look out the back passenger window and check if you can see the tail end corner of the vehicle, you are parking beside. If you can see it, this is you re turning point. If not, check you re left shoulder for pedestrians. You shouldn t have to worry about traffic at this point. You re front end is not swinging out. Only when it is safe, roll straight back, looking out the back passenger window, and stop when it comes into view. By doing this, you re vehicle front end should clear the car in front of you, but you still have to check to make sure, when you swing in. It will not work if you re only a couple inches away from vehicle you re beside. You need to be two or three feet away.
Now is the time to make the maneuver into the parking spot. First we have to do some safety procedures. Check you re mirrors for vehicles and cyclist coming up behind you. Check you re blind spot just in case there is someone coming across, from you re left side. If you re back end is going to swing into the parking spot, the front end is going to swing out, further into the roadway.
Once the safety checks are all done, and you can see the tail end of the vehicle beside you. Move in slowly with you re foot covering the brake only to ease up to get the vehicle rolling, and pushing down to slow the vehicle. Use the gas pedal only to get it rolling if you have to, but make sure you are covering the brake during the majority of this maneuver. You should be looking out the back window and watch the curb of the sidewalk slowly disappear along the tail end of you re vehicle. It ll slowly disappear from the left side to the right side. Once you think you cannot see it on the back corner of you re side, behind you, pause and gradually turn the wheel the other way. The faster it disappears, the faster you have to turn the steering wheel. Once it is all gone along the tail end and corner of vehicle, the steering wheel should be turned all the way the other way at this point, before you roll back any further. Make sure you glance forward as you re front end swings in to make sure the front end of you re vehicle is clear of the vehicle in front of you. Once you know the front is clear, continue to look back until the vehicle is stopped.
Change gears and move forward with you re foot on the brake, keeping in mind, the wheels of the car is turned out towards the roadway. Straighten the front end of the vehicle and the wheels of you re vehicle. If you are not sure of the direction of where the wheels are turned, slowly release the brake and watch your front end roll and correct accordingly. (Check driving manual for wheel alignment when parking on a hill.)
This driving technique has worked for my students in the past, and I still use it. Vehicles have changed over the years, and it is harder to see the back end of the vehicle. Please consult with a family member, and or recognized driving school for further instructions on parallel parking.

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