As you head out this weekend to start your holiday shopping MINIUSA has some tips for a carefree MINI experience that they'd like to share. From MINIUSA Press:

If everyone in the New York area drove a MINI Cooper, imagine how stress-free the holidays could be! With parking spaces in short supply, and holiday shoppers attempting to parallel park large cars in spaces made for a MINI, the holidays can be a time of short fuses and hot tempers.

Add to the estimated 3.2 million cars that pile into New York City on any given weekday, an influx of holiday shoppers and site-seers in town to view the famous store windows and the Tree, you've got a city that comes to a virtual stand still.

According to Michael McHale, Communications Manager for MINI USA, parallel parking is a forgotten “art” that clogs up city arteries and gets people hot under the collar. “There are very definite ways of negotiating a parking space that are essential to city driving,” says McHale. “Of course, driving a MINI is a great way of pulling into any parking space, but short of that, any driver can be an ace parker.” McHale suggests the following simple steps:

  • Once you've found a space that's at least six feet longer than your car, apply your brakes and your directional so that the car behind you is aware of your intention to park
  • Pull up so that your rear wheels are parallel with the rear bumper of the car in front of the parking space — keeping about 3 feet between the two cars.
  • Put your car into reverse and turn the steering wheel all the way to the right.
  • Back up slowly so that your car is at a 45-degree angle from the car in front of you and stop. (Your car will be sticking out into the street at this point, so be aware of street traffic.)
  • Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left while rolling backwards very slightly.
  • Continue slowly backing up into the space until you are parallel with the curb, and about 12 inches from it.
  • If you start off short or are too far from the curb, it's often smarter to start the park all over again. Practice makes perfect with parallel parking.

McHale also suggests putting a MINI on your list to Santa. With ample seating for four, rear seats that fold down to allow for all your holiday shopping, maximized grip and maneuverability and an economical 142.8-inch length, the MINI can park where most cars fear to go.

Here are some additional tips for keeping your Holiday driving happy:

  • Plan your route before you leave.
  • Plan alternate routes.
  • Listen to traffic reports and go online.
  • Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going.
  • Keep a charged cell phone and hands free ear piece in your car.
  • Go to the restroom before you leave.
  • Be familiar with traffic patterns and traffic signage.
  • Let the other person have the right of way – even if you're in the right.
  • Practice parallel parking before you need to attempt it on a busy city street.
  • Remember where you park – write it down.
  • Be sure to have your most up-to-date license, insurance card and registration with you at all times.