5 Tips for Parallel Parking Your Kia

April 12, 2024 · 3 min read

Close view of the steering wheel and dashboard in a 2024 Kia Seltos | Kia dealer in Altoona, PA | Altoona Courtesy Kia

Knowing how to parallel park can save you a lot of time and effort. Many drivers will see a space parallel to the curb and avoid it simply because they're not confident of parking in it. As your Kia dealer, we'd like to tell you how to park parallel in just a few easy steps.

Find the Space

When you're choosing a parking space parallel to the curb, always choose one that's longer than your Kia. This is especially important when you're still practicing this type of parking, as you must have enough space to easily maneuver into it. Once you have more experience, you'll have even more parking options to choose from.

Position Yourself

The first step is to get in the correct position. Park next to the vehicle in front of the parking space you want. Make sure there's a distance of two to three feet between you and the parked vehicle, so there's no danger of clipping it.

Check Mirrors

Before you reverse, check your rearview and sideview mirrors to ensure there are no moving vehicles behind you. You'll be concentrating on reversing, and you don't want to be surprised by a vehicle that suddenly appears behind you. Switch on your right turn indicator to show other drivers you're going to park. Once all is clear, you're ready to begin.

Back-Up

Shift into reverse gear and slowly move backward while turning the wheel to the right. Your Kia will start to move into the parking space. Check your mirrors as you reverse, and also watch if there's enough space between your car and the vehicle in front of the parking.

Straighten Up

When you're about 18" from the curb, turn your wheel to the left and start to straighten up. You can time the movement by watching the license plate of the vehicle in front of the parking. When its license plate is in the center of your windshield, it's time to turn to the left.

When you turn the wheel to the left, you'll see that your Kia is drawn completely into the parking space.

Center Your Kia

Once you're in the space, you'll almost always be closer to the one behind you than the one in front of you. Shift from reverse into drive and move slowly forward in the space. Once you're centered in the parking space, you've successfully parked parallel. Congratulations. It's now time to switch the engine off, exit your car, and head wherever you are going.

Parking parallel isn't as complex as it looks. It's a skill, and the more you practice, the quicker and easier it will become. If you'd like to know more, visit us today at Courtesy Kia in Altoona, PA.

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Interior front seat view in a 2024 Kia Sportage | Jump-starting a vehicle near Altoona, PA | Altoona Courtesy Kia

May 17, 2024 in Car & Driving Tips

Advice From Your Kia Dealer: How To Jump-Start a Car

Jump-starting might look difficult, but it's a very simple process. As your Kia dealer, we want to tell you how to jump-start a car safely and easily. In this example, your Kia will have a healthy battery and jump-start the other vehicle. Locate the Dead Battery This might seem obvious, as most car batteries are under the hood. Some vehicles, however, have a battery and engine in the rear. It's important to know the battery location, as you want to position your Kia, so its battery is as close to the other vehicle's battery as possible. Parking close to the other vehicle makes it easier to connect the jump leads and speeds up the flow of electricity from one battery to the other. Connect the Cables Jumper cables have a red and a black cable. The red cable connects to the positive terminals while the black cable connects to the negative terminal in your battery and acts as a grounding wire in the other vehicle. The cables must be connected in a specific order, as an incorrect connection can prevent the dead battery from recharging or even start a fire. Connect one end of the red cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery, then connect the other end to the positive terminal on your battery. Once this cable is securely connected, attach one end of the black cable to the negative terminal on your battery. The final step is to connect the remaining clamp to the black cable to any unpolished metal surface in the other vehicle's engine. Apply Some Juice Once the cables are in place, start your engine and idle. This will allow electricity to flow into the dead battery. After a few minutes, head to the other vehicle and try to start its engine. If the engine starts, your work is done. If the other engine doesn't start, return to your Kia and allow the engine to idle for another ten to fifteen minutes. It's important to remember that a battery can be affected by the weather. If the weather is very cold, a weak battery will need extra power to overcome the resistance caused by low temperatures. Try and start the other vehicle again. Remove the Cables Once the other engine is running, it's time to disconnect the cables. Jumper cables must be removed in reverse order, starting with removing the black cable from the jumped car. Pack your jumper cables away, and you're now ready to leave. If you'd like more information about jump-starting a car, contact us today at Courtesy Kia in Altoona, PA. We can also test your battery to ensure it's in good condition and will never leave you stuck and looking for a jump-start.