How to Control the Distance from the Side Line When Reversing into a Parking Space?
4 Answers
Here are the methods to control the distance from the side line when reversing into a parking space: 1. When you see the right corner of the parking space in the rearview mirror while reversing, as the car continues to move backward, and before the right rear wheel reaches the entrance of the parking space, you need to accurately judge the distance between the car body and the corner of the parking space. It is best to maintain a distance of 20CM; 2. If you cannot maintain a distance of 20CM, or even if the wheel is about to press against the right corner of the parking space, you should immediately turn the steering wheel to the left. The amount of turning depends on the distance between the car body and the right side line and the speed of the car. Additional Tips: Pay attention to keeping the car body parallel to the side line of the parking space and maintain an equal distance. At the same time, keep an eye on the lower edge of the left rearview mirror and the side line of the parking space entrance. When the side line of the parking space entrance aligns with the left rearview mirror, press the clutch and brake, stop the car, and the right reversing into the parking space is completed.
With twenty years of driving experience, the key to controlling the side distance when reversing into a parking space lies in accurately using mirrors and making steering adjustments. Initially, I position the car as parallel and close to the side line as possible, then observe the line's position using both the rearview and side mirrors while slowly adjusting the steering wheel during the reverse. If the line disappears in the mirror, it means the car is too far out and should be slightly turned inward; if the line gets too close, gently steer outward to create distance. Movements should not be abrupt but smooth, like gliding, allowing time to react. I often practice in open spaces simulating parking spots, using bottles as side lines to hone distance perception. In low-light conditions, I turn on the fog lights to aid visibility. The crucial point is not to focus solely on one mirror—maintaining a synchronized overall perspective ensures accuracy, otherwise, one side might collide.
I'm used to relying on the parking assist system to control the side distance. Once in the car, I turn on the rearview camera, which displays colored guidelines and distance markers on the screen. When the car gets too close to the edge, the lines turn red accompanied by a warning beep. Without a camera, I depend on the radar's beeping sound—a high-frequency beep indicates the distance is less than 20 cm, signaling it's time to stop or adjust the steering. I've also tried a parking app on my phone connected to an external camera, which is practical but not as accurate as built-in systems. The key is to regularly check these tools, like comparing the actual side distance with the screen data to avoid false alarms. When actually parking, moving slowly while coordinating with these devices provides double protection and minimizes errors.
When I first got my driver's license, I often struggled with judging the distance while reverse parking. My instructor advised me to first stop close to the side line, shift into reverse gear, and observe the side mirror. When the mirror frame aligns with the side line, slowly reverse while continuously making slight adjustments to the steering wheel to keep the line centered in my view. If the line disappears from the mirror, I should quickly steer outward to increase the distance. During practice, I made the mistake of turning too sharply multiple times, causing the wheels to hit the line. Later, I realized the importance of steady and precise movements. Practicing more in underground parking lots boosted my confidence, and I improved from being off by over ten centimeters to controlling the distance within 10 centimeters.
