How to Correct Steering When Turning Too Early or Too Late in Parallel Parking?
3 Answers
After turning the steering wheel too early, you need to control the speed well and observe the rear wheels in the rearview mirror. Turn the wheel back half a turn and continue to observe the right rear wheel. When the car is tilted and the left rear wheel enters the parking space past the upper left corner, straighten the steering wheel and continue turning left.
I've been driving for many years, and a common issue with parallel parking is turning the steering wheel too early or too late. If I turn too early, the car gets too close to the curb, and when it looks like it's about to hit, I quickly ease the steering wheel back a little to pull the front of the car away, creating some space before slowly turning again to continue parking. If I turn too late and the steering is slow, the car ends up too far from the curb and parked in the middle of the road. In that case, I need to quickly turn the wheel more while moving forward, adjusting the position bit by bit without rushing. The key is to use the side mirrors to observe the distance between the wheels and the curb, making small corrections a few times to align properly. For my small car, which is more agile, a slight adjustment of the steering wheel is enough to correct the position—no need for sharp turns, as that could lead to loss of control. Practicing on quiet streets with an empty bottle as a marker helps; after a few tries, you’ll get a feel for controlling the car’s size.
As a driving school beginner, I often felt nervous. When I turned the steering wheel too early during parallel parking, the car would lurch toward the curb. I would gently correct the steering to slow down and let the front wheels retreat slightly before continuing to park. If I turned the wheel too late and rotated slowly, the car would stop too far in the middle of the road. In that case, I quickly turned the wheel an extra rotation to move closer and used the mirrors to check alignment. Don’t worry about messing up—take it slow. Beginners tend to make sharp turns, which can lead to accidents, so I recommend practicing in open areas first. I recorded my parking process with my phone to review problem areas and adjust my timing and steering pressure. After several tries, it became a habit—the car naturally followed the steering, and safety always came first while staying aware of vehicles in front and behind.
