How to Adjust When the Car Body is Not Straight During Curb Parking?
2 Answers
Practice makes perfect. Here are the adjustment methods for an unaligned car body during curb parking: Use the wiper to judge whether the car front is straight—no problem. By comparing the wiper with road markings, maintain a fixed distance or angle while driving. If it deviates, it indicates the car front is not straight. Additionally, depending on each person's height difference, other parts of the car front can also serve as reference points, such as the roof corner or reinforcement ribs. Actually, the most crucial point to ensure the car front is straight is to learn to look into the distance, observing distant traffic lights, the rear of the car ahead, lane markings, etc., to see if the car body is straight. When parking at the curb, after selecting the parking position, turn the steering wheel to the right. At this time, the steering angle should not be too large. When the center of the car front is about to align with the right edge line, immediately turn the steering wheel back to the left. The steering wheel turning range can be slightly larger at this point.
When parking with the car not aligned properly, I always feel a bit awkward. Parking crooked and not parallel to the curb not only affects aesthetics but may also obstruct other vehicles. The key is to stay calm and not panic. First, observe the surroundings to ensure safety—avoid parking in emergency lanes or on slopes to prevent rolling. Then, gently press the brake, shift to neutral, and engage the handbrake to bring the car to a complete stop. Next, slowly release the brake and make slight steering adjustments. Remember, turning the wheels in the opposite direction of the car's tilt makes it easier to straighten: if the rear is tilted toward the curb, steer slightly away from it and inch forward slowly; if the front is tilted, do the opposite. Use side mirrors or rearview mirrors to check alignment—don’t rely solely on cameras, as angles can distort the view. Repeat these small adjustments until the car is parallel to the curb. Additionally, practice using reference points like the curb as a guide when parking. Note that misalignment isn’t always a skill issue—it could stem from uneven tire pressure or suspension problems causing instability, so regular tire maintenance is crucial. Parking is a fundamental driving skill—with more practice, it’ll become second nature.
