How to adjust the steering when the right side is too narrow during right reverse parking?
3 Answers
Then continue reversing into the parking space. Another method is to straighten the wheels slightly earlier than usual and make corresponding steering adjustments. If you notice the right side is too narrow after most of the vehicle has entered the parking space, turn the steering wheel 1/4 turn to the left at this point, and straighten the wheels once the vehicle body is aligned.
I've been driving for over a decade, and parallel parking in tight right-side spaces is my biggest fear. Once in an old parking lot with super narrow spots, my right rearview mirror was practically scraping the wall. I immediately turned the steering wheel slightly left at a small angle, slowed to a crawl, allowing the rear to shift right and create some space, then quickly straightened the wheels to continue reversing. Avoid sharp turns to prevent scraping. Stay calm during adjustments, keep your eyes glued to the mirrors and right side. Practice in open spaces to learn your car's turning radius, maybe mark a reference point on the mirror for distance judgment. Safety first—move snail-slow in tight spots, scan thoroughly before acting, and you'll save yourself many repair headaches.
As a driving school instructor, I've taught many people to overcome the issue of narrow spaces on the right. The key lies in observation and fine-tuning: first check the short distance on the right via the rearview mirror, then gently turn the steering wheel left to slightly shift the rear of the car rightward - avoid large-angle turns. Keep reversing speed nearly at a stop, then straighten the wheels after adjustment and continue parking. I recommend visually estimating the parking space width before getting in the car to have a clear mental picture. Practice this scenario multiple times in safe areas to develop car spatial awareness, which can significantly improve success rates and avoid scraping risks. Maintaining the car's front direction straight toward the entrance during reverse parking also helps minimize deviation.
