How to Correct When Reverse Parking Gets Wider?
4 Answers
When reversing, the direction you turn the steering wheel determines where the rear of the car swings. If the car body is getting too close to the garage, turn the steering wheel toward the side that appears wider in the rearview mirror. If entering from the left, turn the steering wheel to the left in advance. If the left side is too narrow, delay turning the steering wheel to the left; if entering from the right, delay turning the steering wheel to the right; if the left side is too narrow, turn the steering wheel to the right in advance. View the angle between the two parallel lines from above. It's important to make slight adjustments when turning the steering wheel—avoid large angles and maintain a slow speed.
I often emphasize to my friends when teaching them to reverse that if the car gets wider as you back up, it means the steering was too late or the angle was wrong. If the rear of the car veers to the right, quickly turn the steering wheel slightly to the left to correct it—don’t yank the wheel. Conversely, if it veers left, turn right. The key is to slow down the speed and make gradual adjustments with the help of the rearview mirror or backup camera—don’t rush. When initially aligning, make sure the car body is parallel to the garage line before reversing. Practice a few times to get the hang of it. Remember to simulate the process in an open area first and only attempt the garage once you’re familiar with it to avoid scratches.
When I first started learning to drive, I often had trouble backing into parking spaces. Later, I figured out the trick: if the rear of the car is drifting outward to one side, just turn the steering wheel slightly in that direction to correct it, but don't overdo it—just a gentle twist will do. Always keep your speed slow, and once you feel the car move a bit, check the rearview mirror to adjust your position. Don't focus too much on what's in front while reversing; pay more attention to the sides and rear. With enough practice, you'll get the hang of when to turn the wheel—practice makes perfect.
Safety first, stay calm when encountering reversing issues. If the car is getting wider while reversing, it's usually due to steering wheel control errors. Stop the car and think clearly: if it's wider on the right, steer left to pull it back, making adjustments gently. Use the rearview mirror to check distances on both sides, avoiding sharp turns. Find an open space to practice steering techniques repeatedly, don't rush to complete parking. Slower speeds make it easier to correct mistakes.
