I have no problem parallel parking my SUV and I'm short. I rely on my sensors and cameras. Without them I'd be screwed!

I'm with PP above- old people are always honking when a big SUV is backing up - get with the times, we have cameras!

If you are good at parking other vehicles, you’ll be fine. It just takes practice. After a few months, you’ll be wondering why you were worried about it.

I can parallel park my Odyssey in spaces others can’t fit their sedans because I do it a lot. And I have the back up camera. Best is when I am parallel parking my old, beat-up van in a small space with someone sitting in their car behind me. Yes, I do see you, and yes, I can park this thing. No need to honk.

I consider myself a really good driver (killer parallel parking skills) but I had the hardest time parking our Odyssey when we first got it. Like, it was comical how badly I parked. Always parked crooked and/or not between the white lines. I’ve mostly adjusted after a few years, but it does take getting a feel for.

Anonymous wrote:Get a van with parking sensors which alert you when you are too close to an object

NP. We got a Sienna about a year ago. I’m so grateful for these parking sensors, they’re absolutely worth it.

Practice, parking sensors, and cameras. I have a 2020 Pacifica, and there's a 360 view so I can see how far I am from vehicles in front of me. This is in addition to the backup camera. My van will also apparently parallel park itself - but I haven't needed it.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice! I currently drive a 17 year old Subaru Forrester and can see well enough out of it to park well. I’ll definitely practice a bit on a parking lot to get more familiar with a minivan. My know both minivans at least had a back up camera, which I need to practice with as well since I’m not used to using a camera.

The camera helps a LOT.

Thanks for the advice! I currently drive a 17 year old Subaru Forrester and can see well enough out of it to park well. I’ll definitely practice a bit on a parking lot to get more familiar with a minivan. My know both minivans at least had a back up camera, which I need to practice with as well since I’m not used to using a camera.

Get a van with parking sensors which alert you when you are too close to an object

Minivans take practice. To get in a good position to park, you need to (slowly) swerve left and then park on the right, or swerve right and then park on the left. Once you've parked, expect to back up and reposition to get properly centered in the space. As with any new car, you need to learn where your corners are when you are sitting in the driver's seat. It will take a little bit of time. It's not a bad idea to set up some cardboard boxes in the driveway and practice parking to learn where your bumpers are landing.

Practice

Anonymous wrote:I’m struggling to think of any time I’ve ever been able to see the front bumper of a vehicle while I drove it or parked it. I’m a 5’9” Sienna driver, and will add that it is not easy to parallel park, mainly because it is so big.

I can’t think of any car that allows you to see the front bumper. Just practice. Get out and see where the front of the car is compared to where you think it is and you will figure it out. Remember when we parallel parked without rear cameras? Or better yet, I remember parallel parking a manual car before rear view cameras or sensors on the hills of sf and breaking into anxiety sweats.

I’ve never had an issue parallel parking my Sienna. I think you just have to practice and get used to the turn radius which is more of an issue IMO than its length.

What type of car do you drive now? Minivan noses seem to be very low so it’s hard to see. However, larger SUV also create the same issue. Does the van have cameras on the front? That has helped me on parking (not a van but a large SUV).

Also, you will get used to the feel and turning radius you have after driving it for awhile.

I’m struggling to think of any time I’ve ever been able to see the front bumper of a vehicle while I drove it or parked it. I’m a 5’9” Sienna driver, and will add that it is not easy to parallel park, mainly because it is so big.

We have a third baby on the way and test drove a Honda Odyssey and a Toyota Sienna today. I can’t see the front bumper on either minivan, which makes it difficult to park. Not sure if this is just a problem since I’m really short (5 feet) or if most people have this issue. Any tips on how to park these minivans? Or is there a minivan better suited for short people?