How to Adjust the Steering Wheel When Parking in Reverse with an Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
If the rear of the car tilts to the right, steer to the left. When the car body straightens, return the steering wheel to the center. If the car tilts to the left, steer to the right. When the car body straightens, return the steering wheel to the center. However, if the left side is wide and the right side is narrow, steer to the left. Adjust until the rear wheels are within the ideal range from the line, then steer left again and return the steering wheel to the center.
With over a decade of driving experience, I've mastered the technique of steering wheel adjustments for reverse parking. Once you start reversing, immediately focus on the rearview mirror or backup camera. If the car's position starts to deviate, make small steering corrections: turn the wheel slightly right if the rear end drifts left, and vice versa. Keep movements gentle—avoid sudden turns—and minimize adjustments to prevent back-and-forth hassle. Side mirrors can also help gauge distances. After a few practice runs, muscle memory takes over, eliminating overthinking. Always reverse slowly, roll down windows to listen for surroundings, and check blind spots to avoid scrapes or collisions. For safety, I practice during quiet hours, doing 10+ repetitions in empty parking lots with marked lines. Once the motions feel natural, confidence behind the wheel grows. The process is straightforward—just remember the golden rule: minor, timely corrections prevent bigger mishaps.
