How can beginners determine the position of the wheels?
3 Answers
Here are methods for beginners to determine the position of the wheels: The driver should maintain a proper sitting posture and look straight ahead. 1. Determining the left wheel position. When the connection point between the left wiper and the car body aligns with the junction of the left lane marking and the hood, the left wheel is already on or crossing the lane divider. Since the position and size of wipers vary by vehicle, this connection point is not standardized. When the left lane divider is about 20cm away from the connection point near the left A-pillar, the left wheel is likely on or about to cross the line. 2. Determining the right wheel position. Due to the driver's left-side position, the method for the right wheel slightly differs. When the right lane marking aligns with the center of the hood, the vehicle is generally on or crossing the line.
When I first started learning to drive, I was also terrified of crossing the lane lines. My instructor taught me the most practical method: to check the left wheel, align the extension line of the steering wheel's left edge with the center line of the road, and you're good. The right wheel is even more critical—you can observe the wiper node at the lower right corner of the windshield. When it covers the road edge line, the right wheel is about 30 cm from the curb. Find an open space to practice often, using water bottles on the ground as reference points, and gradually get a feel for the distance from the car's front perspective. With more practice, you'll get the hang of it. Remember not to adjust the seat position randomly, as changing your sitting height will shift the reference points. Some cars now come with virtual lane line assistance, but don't rely too much on electronic aids—basic visual judgment is the real skill.
Here's a tested and effective low-tech method: Park your car next to a white line, then step out and repeatedly observe the relationship between the tires and the white line. Once back in the car, you'll notice that when the left door armrest aligns with the road edge, the left wheel is about 40 cm from the side line; meanwhile, the right air vent on the center console corresponds to the right wheel's path. When navigating narrow roads, you can see the distance between the tires and obstacles in the rearview mirror—the slower you go, the clearer it gets. Remember, the wheel tracks extend slightly farther than you might expect. For beginners, it's advisable to have an experienced driver in the passenger seat to call out stops. Practicing this five or six times will help you get the hang of it. Keep your neck relaxed while driving, and slight body movements can improve observation accuracy.
